Director – Strategy and Transactions

Director – Strategy and Transactions

Location: Isle of Man

The Role
Bullfinch Recruitment is delighted to be partnering with our client to recruit a Director – Strategy and Transactions. They are seeking an experienced Restructuring Advisory Director to lead and further develop their Advisory Services team.

This senior leadership role carries responsibility for managing complex restructuring and insolvency mandates, driving business growth, and building strong relationships with clients and stakeholders. You will work closely with Partners, lead high-profile assignments, and play a pivotal role in shaping the direction of our growing practice both locally and internationally.

This is a strategic position, client facing position offering significant responsibility, variety and career progression – with exposure to challenging cross-border assignments and the opportunity to contribute to the leadership of the firm.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategy

• Lead the development and execution of the Restructuring Advisory strategy in the Isle of Man and across international markets.
• Lead, mentor and develop a high-performing team, fostering a culture of excellence and improvement.
• Contribute to recruitment, training and development initiatives to build future leadership talent.
• Oversee case management and operational excellence across all engagements.
• Identify opportunities for cross-service collaboration and business development.
• Contribute to thought leadership and the promotion of Grand Thornton’s market presence in the Isle of Man and beyond.
• Build strong relationships across the Grand Thornton network to drive referrals and collaboration.
• Build and maintain strong networks with stakeholders, regulators and referral sources.

Restructuring & Insolvency

• Lead the end-to-end delivery of formal appointments, including liquidations, receiverships and bankruptcies.
• Act as a key liaison for creditors, regulators, directors, legal advisors, and funding institutions.
• Provide expert guidance on technical, strategic and legal aspects of insolvency and restructuring cases.

Asset & Case Management

• Take overall responsibility for a broad range of restructuring and insolvency appointments, including:
• Corporate and personal receiverships
• Liquidations (voluntary and compulsory)
• Administrations
• Complex restructuring projects
• Regulator appointed contentious mandates
• Direct the management of diverse portfolios of distressed corporate assets, including real estate, financial instruments, and receivables.
• Review and sign off on financial analysis, investigations and reports prepared by the team.
• Direct the assessment of strategic options for distressed business and portfolios, devising innovative, commercially viable solutions.
• Design and implement asset realization plans to maximize stakeholder recoveries.

Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure all assignments meet statutory, regulatory and compliance requirements.
• Oversee the drafting of regulatory filings, statutory returns, client updates, and creditor communications.
• Support legal processes including claims adjudication, asset tracing, and dispute resolution.

Client and Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a trusted advisor to clients, offering practical solutions-driven recommendations
• Manage relationships with stakeholders such as banks, creditors, boards of directors, regulators and legal professionals
• Represent the firm at key meetings, negotiations and industry events.

Operational Oversight

• Oversee financial analysis, cash flow forecasting, budgeting and outcome statements.
• Approve and manage asset realization strategies across diverse portfolios including real estate, commercial property and land assets.
• Lead the preparation of financial models, strategic business reviews, turn around strategies and cash flow forecasts.

Requirements Essential

• ACA, ACCA or equivalent professional qualification or qualified Insolvency Practitioner.
• 10+ years’ experience in restructuring and insolvency, ideally at a Senior level within a Big 4 or mid-tier professional services firm.
• Demonstrable track record in managing complex insolvency and restructuring projects from inception to completion.
• In-depth knowledge of insolvency legislation, regulatory frameworks and best practice.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills with experience engaging C-suite and board-level stakeholders.
• Proven leadership and people management skills, with experience in developing high performing teams.
• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to identify and convert new business opportunities.
• Demonstrate project management skills with the ability to manage and priorities multiple complex assignments.

Desirable

• Previous experience working in the Isle of Man or UK insolvency market.
• Established network of contacts in the legal, banking and financial services sectors.
• JIEB or equivalent qualification.
• Experience in both corporate and personal insolvency.
• Experience with offshore insolvency regimes, financial services clients or cross-border assignments.
• Knowledge of comparative relevant legislation, eg the Insolvency Act and/or Companies Acts.

Why Join Us?

You will join a dynamic and supportive environment, where you can make a tangible impact. As Director, you will have the autonomy to shape the future of our Insolvency and Restructuring practice while benefiting from the global resources and expertise of the Grant Thornton network.

• Be part of a growing and respected advisory team in a dynamic offshore financial centre.
• Gain exposure to complex restructuring and reorganization projects across diverse sectors and jurisdictions.
• Build a career with international reach while making a meaningful local impact.
• Enjoy a balanced lifestyle with professional challenge in a business-friendly and supportive community.

Career Development & Culture

At Director level, you will:

• Lead high-value client engagements and influence strategic outcomes.
• Collaborate directly with Partners on client delivery, business development, and team growth.
• Mentor and develop team through on-the-job coaching and career planning.
• Contribute to a growing team that values entrepreneurial thinking, team collaboration, and excellence.

We offer:

• Opportunities for international secondments and cross-border client work through the Grant Thornton network.
• A high-performance culture that values integrity, innovation, and inclusion.