Finance Director - Direct and Indirect Costs

As the Finance Director – Direct & Indirect costs, this role reports directly to the CFO and is a key member of the Senior Leadership Team and Finance Leadership Team. It is a high-profile position responsible for circa £400m of corporate costs (£200m direct and £200m indirect), partnering with the Executive Leadership Team to manage costs, ensure robust reporting, control, optimisation and ROI.

You will generate insights by applying a financial lens to business decisions and assess opportunities and risk as a thought partner to key executive leaders across the organisation.

You will act as a strategic co-pilot to the Executive Vice President of Operations, Chief Technology Officer, CFO, T&F Group HR Director and other ELT members. The role is a strategic partner to the VP Commercial Finance; Academic and Finance Director - Consumer & Corporate, shaping the business direction through data-driven insight, financial stewardship and strong FP&A partnering.

The role requires a forward-thinking, commercially astute leader with deep experience managing large, complex matrix businesses and influencing across functions to drive sustainable growth and profitability.

We operate a balanced working model with in-person collaboration preferred three days a week or more. Candidates should live within commutable distance to our offices to enable in-person collaboration as required, with a minimum expectation of three days per week in office in Milton Park, Oxfordshire.

Closing date for applications: 17th October 2025.

Key Responsibilities and Accountability:

• Full P&L ownership of Direct and Indirect costs across Taylor & Francis Group, accountable for margin, cost, investment decisions and cash conversion that drive long-term value creation.
• Provide insight and analysis to support the business and senior management with understanding direct and indirect cost drivers and performance against budget.
• Establish review and reporting mechanisms for direct and indirect costs to ensure tight cost control and identify risks and opportunities, including headcount and productivity metrics.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders and finance colleagues to deliver the annual planning cycle with high-quality indirect cost forecasting aligned to value drivers.
• Proactively manage risks and opportunities, identifying potential areas for cost rationalisation.
• Lead the corporate cost team of ~5 with 2–3 direct reports, ensuring high performance and ongoing development of team members.
• Build internal networks and act as the principal contact on direct and indirect cost performance and planning for ELT members.
• Support HR leadership in designing and reporting headcount and productivity metrics to support HR planning.
• Support IT leadership in business cases, spend tracking and ROI reporting, including capitalisation of IT staff costs and SAAS spend, and lead CIC process for sign-off.
• Ensure procurement opportunities are maximised by supporting procurement policies and frameworks; support tender processes, negotiations, benchmarking and other procurement initiatives to evaluate financial impact.
• Prepare robust financial models, business cases and data-driven analytical tools for direct and indirect cost investments.
• Drive process improvements and automation in partnership with the Finance Operations team to embed system-based solutions.

Qualifications and experience:

• Qualified accountant (ACCA/ACA/CIMA) with extensive post-qualification experience in senior Finance and Commercial leadership roles.
• Experience managing P&L in global matrix organisations and leading business transformation through strategic planning and operational efficiency.
• Strong expertise in working capital management, O2C/R2R, cost optimization and ROI analysis.
• Ability to connect financial insights to broader business strategy with understanding of multinational operational complexities.
• Proven people leader skilled in building high-performing teams with coaching-focused, delegative leadership that develops talent and customer focus.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain complex financial concepts clearly and influence stakeholders across levels and time zones.
• Sound judgment with evidence-based decision-making, balancing strategic vision with attention to detail.
• Self-motivated with strong prioritisation skills in fast-paced environments.
• Technically proficient with advanced Excel, FP&A systems experience and current IFRS knowledge.
• Committed to data-driven improvement, transparency and continuous personal development while role-modeling positive culture.

What we offer in return:

• Excellent work/life balance with a flexible working culture
• 25 days annual leave plus a birthday day off
• 3 discretionary days off during the holiday season
• 4 paid volunteering days per year
• Company-funded private medical insurance
• Employee assistance programme offering 24/7 well-being support
• Share Match – plan that matches every share purchased with two free shares
• Life assurance, plus optical and medical care

Taylor & Francis Group an Informa Business

We welcome candidates to apply and will consider reasonable adjustments to support participation in the hiring process. Please contact recruitment@tandf.co.uk with any accessibility needs.

Equal Opportunity and Diversity

Taylor & Francis is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity and foster an inclusive environment where all colleagues can learn and succeed as their true selves. Recruitment, development and retention are conducted without regard to protected characteristics or other non-merit factors.

Other

If you have a disability or barrier and would like to request an adjustment to support your participation in the hiring process or the position, please contact recruitment@tandf.co.uk. Your request will be handled confidentially.