Head of Finance Business Partnering Interim

Cedar is currently partnered with a prominent retail organisation to secure an Interim Head of Finance Business Partnering based in the heart of London. This is an initial 6-month contract, offering a day rate of £700-900.

The Company

This market-leading business operates in a sophisticated, multi-currency environment and is undergoing a period of strategic transformation. Renowned for its innovation and pace, the company provides an ideal opportunity for a senior finance leader to make an immediate and meaningful impact.

The Role

As Interim Head of Finance Business Partnering, you will provide strategic financial leadership, ensuring robust cost control, budgeting, and governance across the IT function. This role partners closely with the C-Suite and IT leadership to drive financial planning, investment decision-making, and benefits realisation while maintaining transparency and accountability in IT spend.

• Partner with IT leadership, including the CIO, to provide financial insight, challenge, and support in managing IT costs, investments, and transformation.
• Establish strong financial governance to control costs, ensure budget adherence, and drive effective financial decisions.
• Lead IT budget consolidation, review, and re-forecasting, ensuring alignment with business strategy.
• Oversee business case development for IT projects, ensuring clear benefits, costs, and governance approvals.
• Engage senior IT and finance stakeholders with clear financial reporting, insights, and cost management recommendations.
• Consolidate monthly IT financial reporting, providing visibility into spend, variances, and efficiency opportunities.
• Track IT transformation project spend, ensuring financial commitments are met and benefits realised.
• Define, monitor, and report on financial and operational benefits from IT investments.
• Ensure compliance with corporate accounting and reporting policies for IT-related financial matters.

Your Profile

The ideal candidate will be a skilled finance professional with:

• A proven track record in business partnering with key stakeholders, within complex and fast-paced environments.
• Deep commercial understanding of key drivers for non-financial departments, and an ability to find solutions to best align these with overall strategies.
• A proven track record of delivering insightful analysis around cost drivers, and an ability to provide recommendations around cost-saving initiatives.
• Exceptional communication skills, capable of influencing and building relationships at all levels of the organisation.

Compensation & Benefits

This Interim Head of Business Partnering role offers a competitive day rate of £700-900. It’s a unique opportunity to lead a critical function within a fast-paced, transformative organisation, with significant exposure to senior decision-makers and high-profile projects.

The position is hybrid, requiring three days per week in the London office.