FD Recruit is partnering exclusively with a private equity-backed professional services business to appoint a Finance Director, based in the office 2 or 3 days per week. The role would suit a Financial Controller or Head of Finance who has already been the number one in finance and is ready to step up into a first Finance Director role. Our client is a small business set for growth with a solid strategy in place. This is a hands-on role managing month end and cashflow whilst also partnering the Board and providing insight for informed commercial decision making. Working closely with the Chief Executive and leadership team, the Finance Director will be integral to achieving the growth strategy and reporting to the investors. This is an exciting opportunity for a first time FD who will be supported by an experienced CFO/COO engaged as a Non Executive Director. Potential matters as much as track record and the role is designed to develop. As the business grows, the remit will move towards a broader Finance Director and Chief Financial Officer role.

Responsibilities

• Own the finance function day to day, including month-end close, management accounts, forecasting and year end, with budgeting and cash management a key focus.
• Close the gap between strong project margins and overall profitability by finding where margin is lost and helping the business fix it.
• Drive project and client profitability, including the balance of in-house and freelance resource, scoping, scope changes and pricing.
• Embed a newly launched project management and timesheet system, make sure the data can be trusted and help managers use it to own their commercial performance.
• Lead budgeting and forecasting showing the return on the business’s investment in growth.
• Turn the numbers into clear insight for the leadership team and investors, covering risks, opportunities and the path to target over the next two to three years.
• Coach managers on commercial awareness and support client commercial conversations as a visible partner to the business.
• Build credibility with the leadership team and shareholders, and take a growing role in investor reporting and, in time, potential acquisitions and exit readiness.
• Manage and develop one part-qualified team member who handles transactional accounting, with scope to shape the team as the business grows.

Skills & experience required:

• A Financial Controller or Head of Finance who has been the number one finance person in a small business.
• A qualified accountant preferred.
• Hands-on and comfortable with detail, but not content to just “turn the handle”. Curiosity to understand how the business works and influence how it performs.
• Proactive self-starter, with a continuous improvement mindset and a focus on creating value.
• A clear communicator who builds credibility with colleagues, senior stakeholders and investors.
• Confident with Xero or similar with strong systems know-how.
• Professional services experience is an advantage. A personality that suits a creative, people-focused culture is important.

The salary advertised for this role is a guideline and the salary offered will be commensurate with experience.