At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial operations, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting for a global education tech company.
- Company: Join RM, a pioneer in education technology, enriching lives of over 10 million learners worldwide.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working options, competitive salary, private healthcare, and performance-related bonuses.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission-driven team that impacts education globally while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Bachelor’s in finance or related field; CPA, CFA, or MBA preferred with strong leadership experience.
- Other info: This is a 6-month fixed-term contract with opportunities for professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
Would you like to help enrich the lives of learners around the world? At RM, we’ve been pioneers of education technology since 1973. We provide technology and resources to the education sector, supporting over 10 million students worldwide. We work with over 28,000 schools, nurseries, and education trusts in 115 countries to deliver customer-centric solutions that improve education outcomes.
What we do helps learners at all stages of their lives, from preschool to higher education and professional qualification; we partner with schools, examination boards, central governments, and other professional institutions to enrich the lives of learners.
RM Group operates through three businesses: Technology (Managed Services, Software, and Infrastructure for Schools), Assessment (Software and Services), and TTS (Educational Resources).
We are seeking an experienced and strategic Head of Finance to oversee and manage the financial operations of the company. As the leader of the finance department, you will be responsible for ensuring the financial health and integrity of the organisation by leading budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and financial analysis. This role requires a hands-on, detail-oriented leader who can think both tactically and strategically to support the company's growth and operational goals. This role is hybrid, with a requirement to visit our office in Abingdon, Oxfordshire twice monthly.
Responsibilities
- Financial Strategy & Planning: Develop and execute the company’s financial strategy in alignment with overall business goals. Provide strategic insights to the executive team on financial performance, market trends, and growth opportunities.
- Budgeting & Forecasting: Lead the annual budgeting process and quarterly financial forecasting, ensuring alignment with company objectives. Monitor and adjust financial plans as needed to meet evolving business conditions.
- Financial Reporting: Oversee the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements. Ensure compliance with accounting standards and regulatory requirements. Provide detailed analysis of financial performance, highlighting key insights and potential risks.
- Cash Flow & Working Capital Management: Manage the company’s cash flow, liquidity, and working capital to ensure sufficient resources are available to meet operational and growth needs. Implement efficient cash management practices.
- Leadership & Team Development: Lead, mentor, and grow the finance team. Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture. Provide guidance on financial modelling, forecasting techniques, and analysis.
- Financial Compliance & Risk Management: Ensure all financial operations are following legal regulations and internal policies. Identify potential financial risks and work with other departments to mitigate them.
- Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A): Lead financial due diligence and support the M&A process, including valuations, integration, and strategic post-deal analysis.
- Stakeholder Communication: Communicate financial performance and insights to internal stakeholders and external partners (investors, auditors, regulatory bodies).
- Process Improvement: Continuously assess and improve financial processes and systems to increase efficiency and accuracy.
Experience Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field; CPA, CFA, or MBA preferred.
- ACCA or CIMA Qualified.
- Strong experience in finance, with significant experience in a leadership role.
- Proven experience in financial management, budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning.
- Strong knowledge of financial regulations, accounting principles (GAAP), and financial reporting standards.
- Advanced proficiency with financial software (e.g., ERP systems, Excel, financial modelling tools).
- Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across departments.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with a keen attention to detail.
- Experience with fundraising, investor relations, and financial due diligence processes is a plus.
Preferred Skills:
- Knowledge of international financial reporting and tax compliance, especially if the company operates globally.
- Experience of managing the company’s cashflow forecasting.
- Experience in scaling businesses or leading financial functions in high-growth environments.
What’s in it for you?
At RM we have My Work Blend @RM which provides office-based colleagues with multi location and hybrid working options. As well as your office base, you can spend a proportion of your time working at other locations that suit your role and your life, including home, other offices, customer sites, distribution centres or on the move. We encourage you to discuss arrangements for this role with your potential line manager during the recruitment process.
As well as a competitive salary and our core benefits package which includes private medical healthcare, life assurance and a Group Personal Pension Plan with higher contribution levels available, some roles are also eligible for a performance-related bonus. There are lots of voluntary benefits too. You could buy additional annual leave, join our dental plan, sign up for a health assessment, or take part in our cycle to work scheme. You could even earn yourself an extra bonus for successfully recommending a friend or family member for a position within RM.
To better reflect the society that we serve, we’re committed to building a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. To achieve this, we create teams of talented people from different backgrounds and experiences and strive to be a business where our people can bring their whole selves to work, we also want to make the recruitment process as inclusive as possible for everyone. Should you require additional support with your application or through the interview process, please contact us.
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
Head of Finance - 6 month FTC employer: RM Education
Contact Detail:
RM Education Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance - 6 month FTC
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with RM's mission and values. Understanding how we enrich the lives of learners globally will help you align your experience and vision with our goals during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare to discuss your strategic financial insights. Given the role's emphasis on financial strategy and planning, think about how your past experiences can contribute to RM's growth and operational goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership style. As a Head of Finance, you'll be leading a team, so be ready to share examples of how you've successfully mentored and developed finance teams in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Highlight your experience with financial compliance and risk management. Be prepared to discuss specific instances where you've identified risks and implemented strategies to mitigate them, as this is crucial for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance - 6 month FTC
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in finance, particularly in leadership roles. Emphasise your skills in budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting, as these are crucial for the Head of Finance position.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for education technology and how your financial expertise can contribute to RM's mission. Mention specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to lead financial strategy and manage teams effectively.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly state your qualifications, such as your degree in finance or accounting and any certifications like CPA or CFA. This will help establish your credibility and suitability for the role.
Showcase Leadership Experience: Provide examples of how you've successfully led finance teams in the past. Discuss your approach to mentoring and developing team members, as this is an important aspect of the role at RM.
How to prepare for a job interview at RM Education
✨Understand the Financial Landscape
Before the interview, make sure to research RM Group's financial performance and recent developments in the education technology sector. Being able to discuss market trends and how they relate to the company's goals will demonstrate your strategic thinking.
✨Showcase Leadership Experience
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led finance teams in the past. Highlight your mentoring skills and how you've fostered a collaborative culture, as this role requires strong leadership capabilities.
✨Be Ready for Technical Questions
Expect questions on financial regulations, budgeting processes, and cash flow management. Brush up on your knowledge of GAAP and financial reporting standards to confidently answer any technical queries.
✨Communicate Clearly and Effectively
Since stakeholder communication is key in this role, practice articulating complex financial concepts in a clear and concise manner. This will show your ability to influence and collaborate across departments.