Chief Financial Officer

Our client, a private equity-backed international consultancy business with an impressive blue-chip client base, is seeking a commercial Chief Financial Officer (CFO) who will act as a key strategic partner to the CEO and Board, driving growth and profitability. Responsible for ensuring the provision of high-quality management information and data to support confident, business-critical decision-making, the incoming CFO will need to have a keen understanding of the dynamics of a PE backed business and while experience with a PE exit is not mandatory, candidates must have worked in a business where there has been a focus on cash management, refinancing, and debt/covenant management. The CFO will bear ultimate responsibility for all finance-related activities within the company, ensuring rigorous financial controls are embedded throughout the organization, and must possess excellent communication skills, able to communicate effectively across all areas of the business and acting as a primary point of contact for banks and investor. This role requires someone with a truly 'hands-on' attitude, capable of leading by example.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic support to the senior management team in the creation and delivery of their growth strategy, providing expert advice on both growth opportunity areas and their execution.
• Lead M&A activities from a finance perspective, including financial and Tax DD, assessing deal structure and financing sources.
• Post-merger integration planning
• Oversee all financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, cash flow management, and risk assessment.
• Produce consolidated Group financials/ reporting under IFRS.
• Develop and maintain robust financial controls and processes to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
• Monitor and analyse financial performance, identifying areas of improvement and recommending corrective actions as needed.
• Provide timely and accurate financial information to internal stakeholders, investors, and board members.
• Managing the annual audit process and ensuring rigorous compliance with all relevant financial reporting requirements.
• Build and lead a high-performing finance team, providing guidance, coaching, and mentorship.

Requirements

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
• Proven track record as a CFO in private equity-backed businesses
• Experience working with a CEO providing broader commercial and strategic value in an international business
• Experience of working in consultancy/ professional services business
• Experience of improving internal and IT processes
• M&A experience and post-merger integration
• Experience of securing and managing debt financing
• Experience of delivering value to shareholders through successful exits either PE and/or Trade beneficial
• Exceptional leadership and management skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• European language skills advantageous
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a results-oriented mindset
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to changing priorities.
• A 'hands-on' mentality, able to work independently with a small support team
• Team player
• Willing to travel frequently to European sites