Interim Commercial Finance Director | PE-Backed Retailer

This interim role sits at CFO-1 level within a PE-backed premium omnichannel retailer, covering a six-month secondment through the peak trading calendar including Black Friday, Christmas, and January Sales. The post-holder will own trade outright, partnering closely with the CMO and Merchandising Director, supported by a finance business partner, while the existing Commercial Finance Director remains available for handover.

Beyond trade leadership, the role encompasses broader commercial finance responsibilities wherever senior finance support is needed. E-commerce is the primary channel, so online performance and sustainable growth planning carry significant weight. The business environment is described as direct, fast-moving, and unpretentious, with immediate availability required.

• Chair weekly trade meetings and hold trading directors accountable to agreed targets
• Track the trade improvement plan and flag risks early across all trading functions
• Write weekly trade notes for PE investors and produce monthly board pack trading slides
• Maintain clear, consistent commercial messaging across every trading team
• Provide senior finance support on wider commercial challenges, with particular focus on merchandising, marketing, and online growth
• Drive process improvements to ensure e-commerce-led growth is sustainable ahead of the next expansion phase

• Proven track record as a Commercial Finance Director who has led trade in a multi-channel retail or consumer business
• Strong grasp of promotional cycles, in-store versus online marketing tactics, and digital KPIs
• Demonstrated ability to challenge senior directors constructively and convert that challenge into a concrete plan
• Experience translating trading performance into clear narratives for a private equity investor audience
• Immediate availability to commence the engagement

Agora Talent is a specialist recruitment and talent advisory firm placing interim and permanent finance leaders. This engagement is with one of their clients, a premium retail brand that is PE-backed, scaling rapidly, and generating the majority of revenue through online channels, with showrooms across the UK and established partnerships with major high street names.