Group Financial Controller

Job title

Group Financial Controller

Type

Permanent, Full-time

Job purpose

This newly created senior finance role is designed to support the Group Finance Director (Group FD) by taking ownership of key operational and tactical finance responsibilities at the group level, ensuring we're not just meeting our obligations, but setting the standard for financial excellence.

The role's purpose is to ensure robust financial control, compliance, and efficiency across the entire group. It will oversee critical functions - including group audit, tax compliance, statutory reporting, consolidations, and financial integrations - to maintain the integrity of our financial operations. Furthermore, the role will champion process improvements and technology implementation within finance, driving innovation and continuous improvement in line with the company's growth objectives. Ultimately, this position works in close partnership with the Group Finance Director, safeguarding the group's financial health and reporting accuracy while fostering a culture of operational excellence.

Reports to

Group Finance Director

ABOUT LUCID GROUP

We are a global healthcare communications agency with deep therapeutic expertise that traverses the asset lifecycle, delivering transformative outcomes for healthcare brands for over 20 years.

Our more than 500 highly trained professionals work with speed and agility to craft and execute breakthrough strategies that maximise performance and unlock a brand's full potential.

Our offices are in London, Macclesfield and Manchester. We are open to applications from all over the UK as we have remote and flexible hybrid working policies.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Finance Operations Oversight

• Take ownership of day-to-day finance operations, ensuring timely and accurate execution across all core financial processes including accounts payable, receivable, billing, cashflow, and month-end close.

• Direct and support the management accounts team, ensuring robust processes, team coordination, and development.

• Oversee month-end and year-end closing activities across the group, ensuring deadlines and quality standards are met.

• Maintain responsibility for the accuracy of the general ledger, reconciliations, and internal reporting packs.

• Lead the monthly management accounts review process, preparing key insights and actions for the Group Finance Director and Executive team.

Group Audit & Compliance

• Lead the annual group audit process and act as key liaison with external auditors.

• Maintain and strengthen the internal control framework across all business units.

• Ensure compliance with all relevant financial regulations and statutory reporting requirements.

Tax Compliance (UK & International)

• Oversee UK and US corporate tax compliance, including SAO certification and VAT/GST.

• Coordinate with tax advisors and manage relationships with tax authorities.

• Ensure all legal entities meet their tax obligations on time.

Financial Reporting & Group Consolidation

• Support the monthly and annual group consolidation process.

• Review and approve statutory accounts for legal entities.

Transfer Pricing & Statutory Filings

• Maintain transfer pricing documentation and ensure arm's length intercompany transactions.

• Oversee timely submission of statutory accounts, tax filings, and regulatory returns.

• Monitor changes in global accounting and tax legislation and update policies accordingly.

Post-Acquisition Integration

• Lead the integration of acquired businesses into the group finance function.

• Align accounting policies and reporting processes across newly acquired entities.

• Support system integration and onboarding of local finance teams.

Finance Transformation & Process Improvement

• Drive continuous improvement of finance processes, controls, and reporting.

• Lead initiatives to enhance efficiency, such as financial close acceleration.

• Champion technology and AI tools for automation and smarter workflows.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Partner with FP&A and Commercial Finance on planning and analysis.

• Support and guide regional and global finance teams through change.

• Provide senior-level financial insight and deputise for the Group Finance Director as needed.

Other Duties

• Carry out any other finance-related or ad hoc tasks as required.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

Essential Criteria

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with a minimum of 5 years post-qualified experience.

• Experience leading audits and group consolidations across global, multi-entity environments.

• Strong knowledge of UK and US tax compliance, including SAO and VAT.

• Proven experience in private equity-backed businesses.

• Demonstrated success leading finance transformation or systems change initiatives.

• Proficient with financial systems, experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

• Strong leadership, analytical, and process-improvement mindset.

• Effective communicator and collaborator across functions and geographies.

Desirable Criteria

• Prior use of Power Query, Microsoft Office, SAP Concur and other similar data tools

If you look at this list and feel you don't meet every single requirement, we still want to hear from you! We encourage you to apply, have a discussion with us about the role or others that we may have at Lucid Group either now or in the future, together we can build more inclusive workplaces.

Key internal relationships and stakeholders

• Executive Leadership Team;

• Chief Financial Officer;

• Group Finance Director;

• External suppliers and customers

• US and Local Finance teams

• External Auditors and Tax Advisors

• Other internal departments (e.g. Delivery, People, IT)

• Board and Investors

BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH US

Our culture is fundamental to the delivery of transformation. Harnessing the talent and ambitions of those we work with empowers us to deliver our magic. On top of this, our benefits include:

• Discretionary bonus scheme;

• Contributory pension with Lucid contribution up to 5% of basic salary (enrolment after 3 months of employment);

• Cycle to work scheme;

• 25 working days holiday, 1 Celebration Day of your choice, 3 Christmas closure days plus 8 Bank Holidays per annum (pro-rata for part-time);

• Flexible holiday buy and sell scheme;

• Family friendly policies;

• Private family health cover, including Employee Assistance Programme and a comprehensive employee rewards scheme;

• 4x basic salary life assurance cover;

• Medicash Healthcare Cash Plan (Level 1 company cover)

• Season Ticket Loans;

• Regular incentive schemes aligned to individual and team performance;

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR US TO BE LUCID?

At Lucid Group, we transform lives. Always. We believe in providing a culture of authenticity, where we can all be ourselves, make real connections, and enjoy the work that we do. Together.

We empower our people to embark on a journey of growth and advancement by offering meaningful learning and development opportunities.

Central to our ethos is our commitment to cultivating an environment that embraces and respects people of all backgrounds and identities, underpinned by a culture of conscious inclusion and support.

The Lucid values are not just mere words; they are the culmination of our collective efforts. Co-created by our people for our people, these values serve as our guiding principles, ensuring that every decision we make positively impacts the lives of the clients, patients, healthcare professionals, and colleagues we serve.

• Compassionately Human: We think about the human impact of our actions

• Accountable Allies: We are the go-to strategic partners for our clients

• Invent with Intent: We create meaningful solutions to solve real problems

• Courageously Curious: We challenge ourselves to think disruptively

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds and identities. We are committed to providing an inclusive recruitment experience to everyone.

This commitment to inclusion is explicitly inclusive of race, colour, sex, age, pregnancy, marital status, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression or disability.

As part of our commitment to recruiting and supporting colleagues with disabilities Lucid Group are a committed member of the UK Government's Disability Scheme, supporting people with disabilities provides us with access to a wider talent pool and enables us to be a force for good in the world by creating fair and equitable access to employment opportunities. Aligned to this scheme we commit to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible by:

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