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- Tasks: Lead financial performance and support growth in a dynamic education business.
- Company: Join a PE-backed multisite education company focused on transformation and expansion.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, potential for remote work, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Be a key player in shaping the future of education while driving impactful financial strategies.
- Qualifications: Qualified Accountant with experience in PE-backed environments and strong stakeholder management skills.
- Other info: Open to candidates stepping into their first standalone CFO role.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Marks Sattin Executive Search is partnering with a PE-Backed Multisite Education business to appoint a commercially astute and strategic CFO. This is a key leadership role, with responsibility for driving financial performance, supporting continued growth, and preparing the business for a successful exit, while also shaping its journey beyond that milestone.
The business requires a CFO who can confidently navigate a complex stakeholder environment. This includes regular engagement with the Board, private equity sponsors, lending banks, and external stakeholders. The successful candidate will ensure rigorous financial controls, robust reporting structures, and full compliance with both regulatory and transparency requirements, particularly those set by public sector partners.
As a central figure in the business's next stage of evolution, you will lead the finance function through a period of transformation and expansion. This includes day-to-day management of finance operations, delivering high-quality, timely reporting, and embedding strong KPIs, governance, and financial frameworks that support strategic decision-making and sustainable growth.
Uniquely, the client would consider candidates stepping into their first standalone CFO role within a PE-backed environment, particularly those currently operating at Divisional Finance Director or Financial Controller level who bring the right blend of commercial insight, operational rigour, and leadership capability.
The ideal candidates:
- Qualified Accountant (ACA/ACCA/ACMA).
- Experience as a divisional Finance Director or Financial Controller in a PE-Backed environment, ideally within the consumer services sector or a business providing services to public sector partners.
- Proven expertise managing financial processes and building strong relationships with local authorities.
- Transactional experience, including acquisitions, integrations, consolidations, and successful private equity exits.
- Experience managing multi-site operations and complex stakeholder relationships.
- A hands-on, growth-focused approach, with practical experience in implementing financial change in regulated environments.
Due to the high volume of applications, we can only respond to candidates with relevant experience. We are happy to provide application and/or accessibility support. Please contact your Marks Sattin or Grafton consultant directly to discuss your needs. We are committed to protecting the privacy of all our candidates and clients.
CFO PE Backed Multisite Education business employer: Marks Sattin (UK) Ltd
Contact Detail:
Marks Sattin (UK) Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land CFO PE Backed Multisite Education business
✨Tip Number 1
Network strategically within the education sector and private equity circles. Attend industry events, webinars, and conferences to connect with key stakeholders who may influence hiring decisions.
✨Tip Number 2
Demonstrate your understanding of financial controls and compliance by engaging in discussions about current trends and challenges in the education sector. This will showcase your expertise and readiness for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with multi-site operations and how you've successfully managed complex stakeholder relationships. Use specific examples to illustrate your leadership capabilities and strategic thinking.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with the company's recent developments and their approach to growth and transformation. Tailoring your conversations around their specific goals will demonstrate your genuine interest and alignment with their vision.
We think you need these skills to ace CFO PE Backed Multisite Education business
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience as a Finance Director or Financial Controller, especially in a PE-backed environment. Emphasise your achievements in managing financial processes and stakeholder relationships.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, demonstrate your understanding of the role's requirements. Discuss your strategic vision for driving financial performance and how you can support the business's growth and exit strategy.
Highlight Relevant Experience: Clearly outline your transactional experience, including any acquisitions or integrations you've been involved in. Mention your hands-on approach to implementing financial change in regulated environments.
Showcase Leadership Skills: Illustrate your leadership capabilities by providing examples of how you've led finance teams through transformation and expansion. Highlight your ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders, particularly in complex environments.
How to prepare for a job interview at Marks Sattin (UK) Ltd
✨Understand the Stakeholder Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the various stakeholders you will be engaging with, including the Board, private equity sponsors, and lending banks. Prepare to discuss how you would manage these relationships effectively and ensure alignment with their expectations.
✨Demonstrate Financial Acumen
Be ready to showcase your expertise in financial processes, reporting structures, and compliance requirements. Highlight specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your ability to implement rigorous financial controls and drive performance.
✨Showcase Leadership and Transformation Skills
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you have successfully led finance functions through periods of change. Share examples of how you've embedded KPIs and governance frameworks that support strategic decision-making.
✨Highlight Relevant Experience
If you're stepping into your first standalone CFO role, emphasise your experience as a Divisional Finance Director or Financial Controller. Discuss your transactional experience, particularly in acquisitions and integrations, to illustrate your readiness for this role.
