Head of Finance (12 month FTC)

Head of Finance is a commercially minded and strategically focused role that is responsible for FP&A and commercial finance as well as overseeing the control and transactional team. The role will act as a business partner across the organisation, driving profitable growth and enhancing operational efficiency. The role also oversees statutory reporting and compliance activities, ensuring robust financial governance as well as the transactional finance (AP/AR) team. You will manage a high-performing finance team, optimising financial systems, and maintaining strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support the company's financial health and growth. This is a 12 month fixed-term contract role to cover maternity leave.

Role and Responsibilities

Financial Planning & Analysis

• Lead the annual budgeting, forecasting, and long-range financial planning processes aligned with organisational goals, monitor budget/forecast performance, and provide recommendations for cost optimisation and margin improvement
• Partner with key stakeholders across commercial and operational teams to provide financial insight and challenge assumptions
• Support in-depth financial analysis, including variance analysis and financial modelling, to support decision-making
• Act as a strategic business partner to senior leadership, supporting commercial initiatives such as bid P&Ls, pricing decisions, and new capex evaluations.
• Collaborate with departmental heads to provide financial guidance, identify risks and opportunities, and track performance against budget and KPIs.
• Be responsible for the design and implementation of company sales commission and incentive schemes aligned with budgets

Financial Reporting

• Prepare monthly financial reports and analysis for the board,
• Support the Financial Controller in the production of group financial statements
• Support the operational team to ensure there are adequate safeguards in managing their Customs & Excise license, and SOPs agreed with HMRC are being adhered to
• Work closely with the parent company, Financial Controller & CFO to ensure timely and accurate reporting of subsidiary results

Cash Flow, Credit & Stock Management

• Ensure short and medium-term cash flows are managed
• Ensure company foreign exchange cash flows are managed and company FX requirements are hedged in line with policy
• Oversee the credit control team and ensure appropriate management of the debtor book
• Support the Operations Director and Finance Manager to ensure that the business has appropriate stock management policies in place and ensure adequate operational controls are in place
• Work with the CFO to update and appraise key financial partners (HSBC & Investec) of company performance and ensure suitable FX facilities are in place.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead a team of 14, including FP&A, control and transactional finance teams, and driving high performance

Compliance and Process

• Oversee financial audits, ensuring high levels of probity and responsiveness from the finance team
• Collaborate with external brokers to recommend appropriate insurance policies for adoption by the business and manage the annual portfolio review
• Ensure compliance with financial regulations, tax laws, and reporting requirements

The ideal candidate will have:

• ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent qualification with a strong academic background.
• At least 5 years in senior finance roles, ideally within the UK market, with a track record of success in scaling operations, improving financial processes, and delivering strategic insights.
• Experience managing and mentoring finance teams, with a strong emphasis on cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder engagement at executive level.
• Deep understanding of UK financial reporting standards, tax regulations, and compliance frameworks.
• Strong understanding of business models, KPIs, pricing strategies, and cost management, with the ability to support growth and profitability initiatives.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-moving environment with competing priorities and evolving business needs.

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