Interim Commercial Finance Lead - Major Transformation Programme

Location: Hybrid - Bristol or Scotland (1-2 days onsite)
Rate: £650 - £700 per day (Umbrella, inside IR35)
Duration: Initial 3-Month Contract (likely 6 months +)

A major public sector organisation is seeking a Commercial Finance Lead to support a nationally significant procurement transformation programme focused on improving efficiency, governance, and financial control across high-volume, low-complexity commercial activity.

This is a high-visibility role working alongside senior commercial, finance, and external advisory teams to help shape and deliver a large-scale business case with spend expected to reach hundreds of millions.

The Opportunity

You'll play a central role in developing the finance and economic case for a flagship procurement initiative designed to simplify routes to market, improve assurance, and reduce operational burden across the organisation.

Working within a collaborative programme team, you'll engage across finance, commercial, governance, and operational stakeholders to provide confidence around controls, policy, financial flows, and risk management.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead development of the Finance and Economic Case within the programme business case
• Review financial assumptions, modelling, and expenditure flows with external advisers
• Support governance, assurance, and control frameworks across the programme
• Work closely with finance, VAT, and commercial specialists to identify operational impacts and risks
• Maintain and enhance commercial and financial risk registers and mitigation plans
• Build strong stakeholder relationships across finance, accounting, and operational teams
• Oversee monthly MI and reporting packs for programme leadership
• Engage with external financial partners and suppliers to support delivery activity

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience in finance management and finance policy
• Professional finance qualification (AAT, CIMA, or equivalent)
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills with the confidence to influence senior audiences
• Experience contributing to large-scale business cases, governance, or assurance activity
• Comfortable operating in fast-paced transformation or procurement environments
• Familiarity with ERP systems and ability to quickly adapt to new finance platforms
• Public sector or defence experience beneficial but not essential

Essential Requirements

• Finance qualification (AAT, CIMA, or equivalent)
• Strong communication skills and collaborative leadership style
• Finance Management
• Finance Policy

This role would suit an outgoing and commercially aware finance professional who enjoys combining strategic thinking with hands-on programme delivery in a complex stakeholder environment.

Please note: Due to the sensitivity of the role, candidate must have, or be able to gain and maintain, SC Clearance.

This is an urgent requirement - if interested, please apply ASAP