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- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and governance for a dynamic retail brand.
- Company: Join a creative retail brand known for its innovative customer experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy a key leadership role with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Be part of an exciting growth phase in a competitive market with a focus on creativity.
- Qualifications: Must be ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified with extensive retail finance experience.
- Other info: Ideal for those passionate about finance in a fast-paced, brand-driven environment.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
Our client is a design-led retail brand with a growing footprint both in-store and online. Known for their creative edge and commitment to customer experience, the business has carved out a strong position in a competitive market. As they continue to scale and diversify, they are seeking a commercially astute CFO to join the executive team and lead the financial strategy through this exciting growth phase.
Role Overview:
This is a key leadership role, reporting directly to the CEO and Board. The CFO will be responsible for shaping financial direction, optimising performance, and ensuring robust financial governance. The successful candidate will bring deep retail sector experience and the ability to balance strategic vision with operational precision in a dynamic, creative environment.
Key Responsibilities:
- Drive the development of financial strategy and long-term planning aligned with commercial goals
- Lead investor communications and oversee capital planning, funding, and stakeholder engagement
- Manage and grow the finance team, embedding efficiency and performance-led culture
- Collaborate with senior leadership on growth initiatives, product development, and brand expansion
- Build and maintain scalable financial systems, controls, and reporting structures
- Own the budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management processes
- Provide actionable insights and performance analysis to support strategic decisions
- Oversee production of accurate financial reports and ensure full compliance with accounting standards
- Monitor tax exposure and ensure compliance with all statutory obligations
Key Requirements:
- ACA / ACCA / CIMA qualified or equivalent, with extensive retail sector experience
- Proven success in finance leadership within a fast-paced, brand-driven business
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to translate data into commercial insight
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management across all business levels
- Track record of leading and developing high-performing finance teams
- Experience in creative, consumer-facing sectors highly desirable
- Strong systems knowledge, financial modelling skills, and a hands-on approach
Chief Financial Officer (Islington) employer: Harper May
Contact Detail:
Harper May Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Financial Officer (Islington)
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the retail sector, especially those who have experience in finance leadership roles. Attend industry events or webinars to connect with potential colleagues and learn about the latest trends in financial strategy within creative businesses.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the specific financial challenges faced by design-led retail brands. Understanding their unique market dynamics will help you articulate how your skills can directly contribute to their growth and success during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in leading finance teams and driving performance in a fast-paced environment. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've implemented financial strategies that align with commercial goals in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your analytical skills by being prepared to discuss how you've used data to inform strategic decisions. Highlight any experience you have with financial modelling and how it has impacted business outcomes in your past positions.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Financial Officer (Islington)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in the retail sector and any relevant financial leadership roles. Emphasise your achievements in driving financial strategy and managing finance teams, as these are key aspects of the CFO role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for the brand and its creative edge. Discuss how your background aligns with their goals and how you can contribute to their growth. Be specific about your experience in stakeholder engagement and capital planning.
Showcase Analytical Skills: Provide examples in your application that demonstrate your strong analytical skills. Highlight instances where you've translated data into actionable insights that have positively impacted business decisions, particularly in a fast-paced environment.
Highlight Leadership Experience: Detail your experience in leading and developing high-performing finance teams. Mention any specific strategies you've implemented to foster a performance-led culture, as this will resonate well with the company's focus on team growth and efficiency.
How to prepare for a job interview at Harper May
✨Showcase Your Retail Experience
Make sure to highlight your extensive experience in the retail sector during the interview. Discuss specific examples where you've successfully driven financial strategy and how it contributed to the growth of previous companies.
✨Demonstrate Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss how you've used data to inform strategic decisions. Bring examples of how your analytical skills have led to actionable insights that positively impacted financial performance.
✨Communicate Effectively
Since this role involves significant stakeholder engagement, practice articulating complex financial concepts in a clear and concise manner. Be ready to explain how you would communicate financial strategies to non-financial stakeholders.
✨Emphasise Team Leadership
Be prepared to talk about your experience in managing and developing high-performing finance teams. Share your approach to fostering a performance-led culture and how you've successfully motivated your team in past roles.
