Head of Finance (Esher)

Job Title : Head of Finance

Job Location : Daytona Sandown Park, Esher

Commencing: June 2025

Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Place in Organisation: Leadership Team

Salary: £75,000- £80,000 + Performance Bonus + Benefits

Hours: Full time, flexible hours

MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB

The Head of Finance (HOF) is a core member of Daytona's leadership team, working closely with the CEO, COO, and wider senior management to drive the Group’s financial performance and strategic growth. The HOF holds full ownership of Daytona’s financial operations, planning, and reporting, ensuring strong governance, accurate forecasting, and the delivery of ambitious EBITDA targets across all venues and business units.

This is a pivotal role that demands a commercially astute, hands-on finance leader who can translate data into decisions, challenge and support the wider business, and embed financial discipline at every level of the organisation.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Translate Daytona’s growth strategy into clear financial models, forecasts, and plans
• Lead Group-wide cashflow management, forecasting, and investment planning
• Support M&A activity, commercial due diligence, and risk assessment
• Identify and deliver margin improvement and cost-saving initiatives
• Present financial insights and board-level recommendations to inform decision-making
• Oversee insurance strategies and group-wide risk management

Operational Finance & Compliance

• Oversee budgeting cycles, management accounts, and statutory reporting
• Lead all areas of financial compliance including VAT, PAYE, audits, PCI DSS, and Companies House submissions
• Support procurement processes and supplier negotiations
• Oversee finance systems, controls, and reconciliations to ensure operational integrity
• Support stock management, pricing strategy, and CapEx forecasting across venues

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing finance function
• Manage and mentor key reports including Management Accountant and Purchase Ledger
• Embed a culture of ownership, accuracy, and continuous improvement
• Establish clear KPIs, workflows, and review cycles across the department

Business Partnership & Collaboration

• Partner with the COO and Venue GMs on cost control, forecasting, and operational margin delivery
• Work with the HR team to align payroll, workforce planning, and cost reporting
• Collaborate with Sales and Marketing on revenue tracking and commercial performance
• Support Engineering and Ops with asset lifecycle and CapEx planning
• Represent Finance in leadership meetings and cross-department projects

ABOUT YOU

• ACCA / ACA / CIMA qualified (or equivalent)
• Extensive experience in a senior finance role, ideally in leisure, hospitality, or multi-site operations
• Proven ability to lead teams, improve systems, and scale finance processes
• Commercially sharp, with a strong understanding of operational KPIs and margin drivers
• Excellent communicator, comfortable influencing board-level decisions
• Hands-on, resilient, and energised by growth and transformation

WHAT WE OFFER

• A pivotal role shaping the financial direction of the Daytona Group
• Executive-level visibility and influence
• Competitive salary and bonus structure
• Free karting and team events across our award-winning circuits
• Generous staff perks and professional development opportunities