Head of Finance (Service Charge)

We are currently working with one of London's leading privately owned property developers. They manage residential, commercial, hospitality, and mixed-use projects across London and the Midlands.

The Head of Finance is a senior leadership role overseeing all financial operations for the property management division, including rent and service charge accounts. Reporting to the Director, this role manages a team of 14, including Service Charge Managers and Credit Control.

Key responsibilities include:

• Ensuring financial compliance, maintaining strong controls, advising senior leadership, and driving process improvements while supporting and mentoring the team.
• Supervising a team of 14, including 3 direct reports, creating a collaborative and high-performing environment that supported development and accountability.
• Directing the financial close process for service charge accounts across a varied and often complex property portfolio, including sole responsibility for first-year accounts on new and multi-phase sites.
• Leading the creation of annual budgets, supporting detailed forecasts for utilities, staffing, and wider operational costs.
• Ensuring all rent, service charges, and reconciliations were accurately issued in line with legal agreements, applying inflation-linked uplifts and interest where relevant.
• Delivering timely and accurate monthly management reports, including tax provisions and depreciation, ensuring all entries complied with statutory and internal standards.
• Maintaining strong financial controls, ensuring compliance with UK GAAP and all obligations related to VAT, Corporation Tax, and Trust Tax filings.
• Reviewing and approving outgoing payments, including landlord distributions and supplier remittances, with a focus on accuracy and regulatory compliance.
• Continuously enhancing internal financial processes, improving efficiency and safeguarding compliance.
• Serving as Excel lead for the team, developing tools, templates, and models to support data consistency and improve reporting workflows.

Required:

• Strong background in senior-level finance roles, including team leadership and performance management.
• Confident in producing and interpreting monthly financial statements and internal reports.
• High-level proficiency in Excel, using advanced functions like PivotTables, XLOOKUP, conditional formulas, and data analysis tools.
• Deep knowledge of UK accounting rules and tax obligations, with a track record of compliance.
• Extensive experience working with property-related finances, especially in service charge accounting.
• In-depth understanding of leasehold block management and related financial processes.
• Proven ability to inspire, guide, and support finance teams toward strong results.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to simplify complex financial data for non-financial colleagues.

Preferred:

• Full professional accounting qualification (ACCA, CIMA, ACA, or similar).
• Familiarity with property finance systems such as Bluebox or similar platforms.
• Experience working with complex developments, including multi-phase or large-scale residential schemes.

Benefits:

• Competitive pay structure.
• 24 days of annual leave plus statutory holidays.
• Life assurance cover.
• Private medical insurance.
• Critical illness protection.
• Company pension with matching contributions.
• Regular reviews of salary and discretionary bonuses.
• Wellbeing support via an employee assistance programme.
• Access to gym membership discounts.
• Cycle to Work initiative.
• Exclusive retail and service discounts.
• Paid volunteering opportunities.
• Support for gaining professional qualifications and certifications.