Finance Director - SME Business - £70000 - £85000 + Bonus + Car Your New Company An established and growing SME operating within the construction and plant hire sectors, known for its commitment to quality, innovation, and operational excellence. The business is entering a strategic phase of development and is seeking a commercially focused Finance Director to lead its finance and administration functions. Your New Role As Finance Director, you will take full ownership of the financial and administrative operations, providing strategic leadership and operational oversight. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will play a key role in shaping financial strategy, ensuring compliance, and supporting commercial decision-making. Key responsibilities include: Part of the Senior Management team advising the owners of the business Develop and implement long-term financial strategies aligned with business growth objectives. Lead financial planning processes including budgeting, forecasting, and capital allocation. Implement robust financial controls and reporting frameworks to support scalable growth. Evaluate potential acquisitions, partnerships, and divestments from a financial and strategic perspective. Partner with project and operations teams to ensure financial viability of contracts and tenders. Evaluate project profitability, risk exposure, and cash flow impact before bid submission. Monitor project performance against budget and provide strategic insights to improve margins Full responsibility for finance and administration functions across multiple business units Preparation of annual budgets and departmental financial planning Monthly management accounts preparation and presentation Forecasting and cash flow management Preparation of statutory accounts and liaison with external auditors Oversight of accounts payable and receivable Management of statutory returns to HMRC and Irish Revenue (VAT, RCT, Intrastat, etc.) Payroll management including timesheets, wages, pensions, and statutory submissions (P11D, P32) Submission of grant claims to Invest NI and other relevant bodies Annual management of R&D tax credit claims Financial monitoring of ongoing projects to ensure budget adherence Support the Tender team with financial analysis and recommendations Leadership and development of the finance and admin team, including performance reviews, coaching, and training What You'll Need to Succeed You will be a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) with a minimum of 5 years' experience in a senior finance role. You'll bring strong technical expertise, commercial insight, and a proactive, solutions-focused mindset. Key requirements include: Proven experience in financial leadership within an SME environment Strong Excel and accounting software proficiency Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines Strong interpersonal and communication skills Experience managing and developing teams Desirable Experience Background in construction. Experience with Republic of Ireland accounting and compliance Demonstrated success in coaching and performance management What You'll Get in Return Competitive salary and benefits package Generous Bonus Company vehicle Life Assurance and Private Medical Insurance Flexible working options A strategic leadership role with real influence across the business Opportunity to shape the future of a growing and ambitious SME What You Need to Do Now If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to submit your up-to-date CV, or contact us directly for a confidential discussion. If this opportunity isn't quite right, but you're exploring new roles, we'd be happy to speak with you about your career goals. Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be Skills: Finance Director FD Finance Controller Benefits: + Bonus + Car + Medical