VP of Finance

About Us:

native. is a fast-growing, innovative, and dynamic company dedicated to bringing extensive content and experiences to the student marketplace. We are building the student ecosystem. Inspired by the founder’s desire to help students have the best time at university, we have built a student advertising platform, a ticketing platform, and a host of complementary services all focused on revolutionising and supercharging the university experience for students. We already reach the majority of UK students, via long-term contracts in place with Student Unions, and are executing on plans to significantly extend our footprint. We are driving significant value-creation across the sector through our focused strategy, innovative model, and technology. The company is rapidly expanding to embrace multiple new revenue streams and reaching new markets through organic and acquisitive growth.

What you’ll be doing:

We are seeking a highly motivated, dynamic, strategic, and yet hands-on, senior Finance professional to take responsibility for the overall leadership of the finance function, drive financial strategy, and ensure the financial health of the company. The successful candidate will bring commercial and operational excellence to the team and will play a pivotal role in driving our growth strategy, encompassing both Corporate Finance and M&A activities.

Key Role Responsibilities include:

• Provide strategic financial guidance and insight to the CEO and executive team, supporting decision-making and long-term planning.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to drive business performance and growth.
• Oversee all aspects of the finance function, ensuring robust financial systems and processes and controls, accurate reporting, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Develop and implement financial strategies to support business objectives.
• Lead financial planning, analysis, and reporting activities.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management ensuring the company maintains adequate liquidity and optimises working capital.
• Partner with operational leaders to identify and capitalize on growth opportunities, optimising financial performance across the business.
• Provide accurate and timely financial reports to the board and investors, offering insights and recommendations based on financial analysis.
• Act as a key liaison with key investors, auditors, and other external stakeholders.
• Support / lead efforts to secure and manage external financing, including negotiating terms with lenders, investors, and underwriters.
• Optimise the company's capital structure by managing debt, equity, and other financing options to ensure optimal liquidity and financial flexibility.
• Evaluate and execute M&A opportunities, including due diligence, valuation, and integration of acquired businesses to drive strategic growth.
• Develop, lead, and mentor a high-performing finance team, fostering a culture of high performance, continuous improvement, and excellence.

What you’ll need:

• Proven experience in a senior financial leadership role, ideally within a private equity environment.
• Previous experience scaling finance functions in a start-up setting, comfortable with high-growth situations, and with a track record of driving strategic performance and growth.
• Strong understanding of financial management, accounting principles, and regulatory requirements.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and develop a high-performing finance team.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a strategic mindset.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, capable of building relationships with key stakeholders and influencing decision-making.
• Excellent academic record and Professional accounting qualification (e.g., ACA, CIMA) preferred.

What’s in it for you:

• Salary: 110k - 130k depending on experience + equity
• Pension contributions of 5%
• 25 days off (excluding bank holidays)
• Day off on your birthday
• Share Options for all
• A Mac or Windows laptop
• Health and Wellbeing budget
• Season Ticket Loan Scheme

Note: We are happy to consider part-time or fractional workers for this position, with a rate determined based on the agreed hours.

Equal Opportunity Statement: We are actively creating an equitable environment for everyone at native to thrive. Diversity and inclusion are a priority for us, and we are making sure we have lots of support for all of our people to grow at native. At native, embracing diversity in all of its forms and fostering an inclusive environment for all people to do the best work of their lives with us.