Head of Commercial Finance

Investigo are exclusively partnering a Private Equity Group, to recruit a Commercial Head of Finance, for a recently acquired subsidiary which provides a very important service to the local community.

The Group has quadrupled in size and plans to grow again by 65% in the next 18 months.

Growth has been achieved through a combination of acquisition and organic growth, whilst maintaining the culture of Respect, Courage and Innovation which underpins all that they do.

The recently acquired company, is based Worthing, West Sussex and requires the successful candidate to be in the office 3 days a week. You will report directly to the Group CFO and take full responsibility for business, alongside supporting the strategy for growth.

This role will be responsible for managing, and driving forward, the commercial/financial performance and functions of the company/division. The role holder will be a senior leader within the business, working alongside the Directors to drive the business forward.

Responsibilities:

• Lead on all commercial negotiations and pricing for new tenders, framework agreements. This will include reviewing contracts, identifying commercial issues, and negotiating appropriate changes.
• Lead on identifying and developing commercial opportunities, which may include developing unique/bespoke commercial approaches that allow the company to improve its financial performance and growth opportunities.
• Lead on supplier negotiations, ensuring the company achieves value for money with its spend and have appropriate arrangements to manage any downside risks, e.g. termination clauses that allow us to exit contracts if required.
• Lead on negotiating leases, and developing property-based partnerships.
• Ensure the financial records of the company/division are accurate and compliant with financial reporting standards.
• Lead on budgeting and forecasting for the company/division.
• Line manage the accounts assistant/finance manager who will complete the transactional activity, however, this role may require the individual 'rolling up their sleeves' to complete some of the daily activities. Grow the team as necessary to support the growth of the division.
• Accountability for the financial performance of the company, ensuring month end processes are completed in a timely manner, including all reconciliations, KPI reporting, variance analysis.
• Identifying and implementing cost saving / rationalisation initiatives.
• Manage all financial reporting and audit requirements, ensuring all statutory reporting deadlines are achieved.
• Develop and implement financial policies, procedures, and internal controls across the division.
• Assisting the CFO to evaluate acquisition opportunities and leading on financial due diligence.
• Integrating any divisional acquisitions into the group and divisional structure. This will include the migration of financial data onto the group's systems.
• Assisting the CFO with ad hoc tasks and cross group initiatives.

Key skills and requirements:

• Someone who has commercial experience; is comfortable handling client relationships and being involved in leading on commercial negotiations. Has experience reviewing and negotiating commercial contracts.
• Qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA) with at least 3 years post qualification experience, and a good understanding of consolidation accounting
• 'Can do' attitude; someone who is open to change and finding ways of improving processes, controls, and operational practices within the business
• Someone who can understand operational requirements and translate them into financial metrics / targets / budgets and help non-financial staff within the business manage budgets and the financial implications of decisions