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- Tasks: Lead and develop the finance team, providing financial insights and supporting strategic decisions.
- Company: Join Company of Cooks, a leader in delivering exceptional food and service since 1996.
- Benefits: Enjoy perks like personal development, private medical, holiday purchase scheme, and social events.
- Why this job: Be part of a passionate team that values creativity and community while driving business growth.
- Qualifications: Must be a fully qualified accountant with leadership experience and strong commercial acumen.
- Other info: Work in a dynamic environment with opportunities for professional growth and recognition.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Craft, Creativity and Community - we are Company of Cooks! These are our values, and they go far beyond corporate waffle. In fact, they set the tone for everything we do. Company of Cooks have been working with some of the UK's most cherished venues since 1996, delighting customers and clients alike with great food and drinks, brilliant service and an absolute focus on the details that make good restaurants, cafes and bars, great ones. In October 2019 the company was brought into the CH&CO family. The completion of the deal saw Company of Cooks become the group's go-to operators in heritage and performance venues, art galleries and destinations.
We are excited to be recruiting for a Head of Commercial Finance to work with us in Leisure.
Location: London
Reporting to: Commercial Finance Director
Salary: £70,000 - £80,000 per annum depending on experience
About the Role: We are looking for an experienced and commercially driven Head of Commercial Finance to lead and develop our finance team. In this key role, you will provide accurate financial insights, ensure robust reporting, and support strategic decision-making. You’ll play a vital part in driving efficiencies, enhancing processes, and supporting business growth. You’ll work closely with Finance Directors, Operational Directors, and Business Development teams to ensure we maximise profitability, optimise working capital, and make the best financial decisions for the business.
Key Responsibilities:
- Financial Leadership & Control: Deliver timely and accurate monthly management accounts across the Leisure sector with clear visibility of financial performance. Ensure accuracy in income accounting, including accrued and deferred revenue, with clear reporting on outstanding debt. Oversee working capital management, driving improvements in cash flow, billing, and debt recovery. Identify and implement process improvements to support growth and streamline financial operations.
- Strategic Business Partnering: Partner with key stakeholders, including Commercial Finance Directors and Operations Directors, to maximise revenue and profitability. Support business development teams in identifying, tracking, and appraising sales pipeline opportunities. Provide financial insights for strategic decisions, business cases, and bid development. Collaborate with operational teams to manage contract profitability and ensure cost control.
- Performance Monitoring & Reporting: Ensure clear and concise financial information is presented to leadership teams to drive business performance. Develop and report key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to the business. Undertake contract profitability analysis, identifying risks and opportunities for improvement. Deliver detailed financial analysis and ad-hoc reporting to support senior management requests.
- Team Management & Development: Lead and develop a team of qualified accountants and studiers, ensuring they deliver accurate and timely management accounts. Drive a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement within the team. Provide coaching, mentorship, and professional development support to team members.
- Process Improvement & Compliance: Drive process improvements to enhance efficiency, improve financial controls, and support governance standards. Maintain strong balance sheet controls and oversee financial governance processes. Ensure compliance with internal financial procedures and proactively identify risks.
The Ideal Candidate: Fully qualified accountant (CIMA/ACCA/ACA/CIPFA) with substantial post-qualification experience. Proven leadership experience managing a finance team. Strong commercial acumen with the ability to influence and support stakeholders at all levels. Advanced Excel skills with experience in financial modelling and analysis. Excellent communication skills with the ability to present complex financial data clearly and concisely. Experience in contract catering, hospitality, or a similar fast-paced commercial environment is desirable. Confident in driving process improvements, managing budgets, and contributing to strategic business growth.
What’s in it for you? Working with Company of Cooks has its perks! People are at the heart of everything we do, so we’ve developed a range of benefits to keep you happy.
- Personal Development and Training opportunities
- Life assurance scheme
- Pension scheme
- Holiday allowance
- Private medical eligibility
- Eye care
- A great wellbeing strategy - including access to our Employee Assistance Programme, salary finance
- Family friendly support
- Regular social events and communication with our leaders
- A holiday purchase scheme
- Volunteering days
- Professional subscriptions
- Recognition schemes and people awards
- Long service awards
- Access to some great high street discount vouchers
Company of Cooks officially formed part of CH&CO Catering Group Ltd in 2020. A Honest Approach, A Passionate Team, Quietly Confident.
Head Of Commercial Finance - London employer: ESS
Contact Detail:
ESS Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head Of Commercial Finance - London
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Company of Cooks' values and mission. Understanding their focus on craft, creativity, and community will help you align your approach during interviews and discussions, showcasing how you can contribute to their culture.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the hospitality and catering sectors, especially those with experience in commercial finance. Engaging with industry peers can provide valuable insights and potentially lead to referrals or recommendations for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've driven process improvements and enhanced financial controls in previous roles. Being able to articulate your past successes will demonstrate your capability to meet the expectations outlined in the job description.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the latest trends in commercial finance within the hospitality sector. Being knowledgeable about current challenges and opportunities will allow you to engage in meaningful conversations with the interviewers and position yourself as a forward-thinking candidate.
We think you need these skills to ace Head Of Commercial Finance - London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in commercial finance, leadership roles, and any specific achievements that align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use keywords from the job posting to demonstrate your fit.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the role and the company. Discuss how your background in finance and team management can contribute to the Company of Cooks' goals. Be sure to mention your understanding of their values and how you embody them.
Showcase Financial Acumen: Provide examples of your financial leadership and strategic decision-making in previous roles. Highlight your experience with financial reporting, process improvements, and stakeholder collaboration to demonstrate your capability as a Head of Commercial Finance.
Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread your documents for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for a finance role.
How to prepare for a job interview at ESS
✨Understand the Company Values
Before your interview, make sure you grasp the core values of Company of Cooks: Craft, Creativity, and Community. Be prepared to discuss how these values resonate with your own professional philosophy and how you can embody them in the role.
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
As a Head of Commercial Finance, you'll need to demonstrate your expertise in financial leadership. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed financial operations, improved processes, and provided strategic insights in previous roles.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement
This role involves partnering with various stakeholders. Think of instances where you've effectively collaborated with different teams or departments to drive profitability and efficiency. Be ready to share these experiences during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Team Management Skills
You'll be leading a team of qualified accountants, so it's crucial to convey your leadership style. Discuss how you've developed and mentored team members in the past, and how you foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
