At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance operations across the UK and Europe, ensuring compliance and optimising processes.
- Company: AHEAD, a forward-thinking tech company focused on digital transformation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Embrace diversity and innovation while working with cutting-edge technologies.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team driving financial governance in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.
- Qualifications: Senior finance leadership experience and strong grasp of compliance and treasury.
The predicted salary is between 170000 - 220000 £ per year.
AHEAD builds platforms for digital business.
By weaving together advances in cloud infrastructure, automation and analytics, and software delivery, we help enterprises deliver on the promise of digital transformation.
At AHEAD, we prioritize creating a culture of belonging, where all perspectives and voices are represented, valued, respected, and heard.
We create spaces to empower everyone to speak up, make change, and drive the culture at AHEAD.
We are an equal opportunity employer, anddo not discriminatebased onan individual's age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage & civil partnership, pregnancy & maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law, whether actual or perceived.
We embraceall candidatesthatwillcontribute to the diversification and enrichment of ideas andperspectives at AHEAD.
AHEAD is seeking an experienced finance executive to lead the financial, payroll, billing, treasury, and statutory/legal-entity governance infrastructure supporting its UK and European operations.
This role oversees regional finance, payroll and commission governance, billing operations, treasury, banking, insurance, statutory compliance, legal entity governance, and external audit for the UK and European entities providing the financial governance and control environment AHEAD needs to transact compliantly and scale sustainably across the region.
The role partners closely with Sales, Operations, Legal, Tax, Global Finance and People & Culture, particularly on commission governance, shared-services governance, operational KPI reporting, and entity/compliance matters.
Key Responsibilities
- Regional Finance, Payroll, and Billing
- Lead the strategic development, governance, and delivery of regional finance operations across the UK and Europe, including payroll, commission governance, and billing.
- Oversee supplier payment processes and payroll governance, including approvals and controls.
- Partner with Payroll and Commissions leadership to provide effective regional governance and oversight, supporting consistent, accurate, and timely payroll and commission delivery.
- Partner with Sales and Sales Operations to ensure commission calculations, billing terms, and deal financial treatment reflect sales agreements and compensation plans.
- Drive continuous optimisation of quote-to-billing-to-cash processes.
- Lead regional financial planning, budgeting and forecasting in partnership with global Finance and UK/Europe leadership, providing insight into financial performance, variances, risks and opportunities.
- Provide financial and commercial analysis to support growth initiatives and key business decisions across the UK and Europe.
- Treasury, Banking, and Insurance Governance
- Own executive governance of the UK/Europe financial framework, including banking relationships, treasury management, insurance governance, financial business continuity, and approval/signing authority — aligned with strategic objectives.
- Support UK/Europe facilities expansion, lease, and vendor negotiations with global Facilities leadership, ensuring financial terms and cost structures align with budget and treasury considerations.
- Statutory Compliance, Legal Entity Governance, and Audit
- Lead and oversee statutory compliance, legal entity governance, and external audit responsibility for the UK and coordinate these activities across other European entities) ensuring timely filings and regulatory compliance.
- Lead audit and risk management activities, serving as the primary regional finance contact for external auditors and supporting Audit Committee reporting and coordination as required.
- Partner with Legal, Tax, People & Culture, and Operations on entity and regulatory compliance.
- Oversee the regional internal control framework — documentation, segregation of duties, escalation procedures — ensuring it stays proportionate, effective, and aligned with growth and regulatory requirements.
- Identify emerging compliance and financial governance risks and recommend mitigation strategies.
- Provide senior local leadership and oversight for the UK Health and Safety Manager, working in partnership with Global Safety and Physical Security leadership to support a safe and compliant UK workplace.
- Financial Reporting and Executive Partnership
- Partner with executive leadership on financial KPIs and reporting, providing visibility into controls, performance, regulatory risk, and P&L for the UK/Europe business — including how sales and deal activity flow into regional results.
- Prepare and contribute to Board and Audit Committee reporting, providing clear recommendations on financial governance, risk, and statutory priorities.
- Build trusted senior stakeholder relationships to influence strategic financial decisions.
Essential Experience
- Senior finance leadership experience across finance, treasury, statutory compliance, and audit for a multi-entity/international organisation.
- Track record leading finance operations, payroll governance, billing, and control frameworks.
- Experience partnering with Sales/Sales Ops on commission governance and revenue-linked billing in a B2B or tech sales organisation.
- Strong grasp of UK corporate governance, statutory compliance, and treasury/banking requirements, with European jurisdiction experience.
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives with Legal, Tax, People & Culture, Operations, and executive leadership.
- Recognised professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent) required.
- Experience in a VP, Finance level role or above.
Skills & Capabilities
- Commercially minded leader balancing strategy with financial discipline and control.
- Strong financial/commercial acumen and sound judgment on governance and risk.
- Integrity, discretion, and executive presence with sensitive information; collaborative leadership style.
- Ability to build clarity, governance, and scalable frameworks in complex, fast-moving environments.
- Exceptional communication and stakeholder management, with credibility at ELT/Board level.
- Data-driven and analytical, proactively identifying risks to support strategic decisions.
The compensation range indicated in this posting reflects the On-Target Earnings (“OTE”) for this role, which includes a base salary and any applicable target bonus amount.
This OTE range may vary based on the candidate’s relevant experience, qualifications, and geographic location.
Why AHEAD
Through our daily work and internal groups like Moving Women AHEAD and RISE AHEAD, we value and benefit from diversity of people, ideas, experience, and everything in between.
We fuel growth by stacking our office with top-notch technologies in a multi-million-dollar lab, by encouraging cross department training and development, sponsoring certifications and credentials for continued learning.
Use of AI
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, assessing responses, or to capture recordings and create transcriptions or summaries during interviews.
These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment.
Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans.
If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please refer to the Candidate Privacy Notice or contact us at privacy@ahead. com.
You may opt-out of the review or analysis of your application and resume by AI tools by using the General Application.
Please include the role you wish to apply for in the Additional Information field.
You may also choose to opt-out of recording and transcription at any time, including after joining an interview.
Candidates will not be penalized for choosing to opt-out.
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VP, Finance – UK & Europe in Reading employer: AHEAD
AHEAD is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of belonging and empowerment, ensuring every voice is valued and heard. With a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, employees benefit from continuous learning opportunities, cutting-edge technology, and a collaborative work environment that encourages personal and professional growth. Located in the UK, this role offers the chance to lead financial operations in a dynamic and innovative company at the forefront of digital transformation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land VP, Finance – UK & Europe in Reading
✨Tip Number 1: Tap Into Professional Networks
The finance world loves a good connection, so jump into industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can find discussions on financial controlling. Engaging in these communities can expose you to hidden job leads that aren't openly advertised!
✨Tip Number 2: Attend Finance Events and Conferences
Make it a mission to attend finance-related events and conferences, even virtual ones! This is a golden opportunity to network face-to-face with people from companies like AHEAD. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!
✨Tip Number 3: Showcase Your Expertise
Consider writing articles or sharing insights related to financial controlling or industry trends. Publish these on platforms like LinkedIn to establish yourself as a knowledgeable player in the field. This not only increases your visibility but also catches the attention of recruiters from AHEAD.
✨Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites
Since you're going for a full-time gig, don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page of companies you're interested in, like AHEAD. Many companies prefer candidates who apply through their website as it shows genuine interest and makes your application stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace VP, Finance – UK & Europe in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers Game:In financial controlling, detail is everything! Make sure your CV showcases your proficiency with numbers—highlight any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, or working with financial software. Quantifying your past achievements will make you stand out, so don’t be shy about flaunting those impressive percentages or cost savings you've implemented.
Tailored Cover Letter is Key:Your cover letter is a chance to shine, especially for a full-time role. Use it to express your genuine interest in AHEAD and the specific impact you hope to make in financial controlling. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that align with the company’s goals, and don’t forget to show that you're ready for a long-term commitment!
Certifications Matter:List relevant certifications such as ACCA or CIMA on your CV. These qualifications not only showcase your dedication to the field but also your technical competence in financial principles. If you have any ongoing training or courses, make sure to mention those as well to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning in financial controlling.
Don’t Overlook Soft Skills:While numbers are crucial, so are those soft skills! Financial controllers need strong communication and analytical reasoning abilities. We recommend embedding examples of these skills in your CV and cover letter, like how you’ve successfully delivered financial reports to stakeholders or collaborated with teams to improve processes. Let’s show AHEAD how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at AHEAD
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
If you've had experience with specific financial software like SAP or Oracle, make it known! Be ready to discuss how you used these tools to improve processes or reporting, as this hands-on knowledge can really set you apart in a full-time role with AHEAD.
✨Know Your Numbers
In full-time interviews, especially in financial controlling, be prepared for numerical reasoning tests or questions. Brush up on your mental maths and understand how to interpret and analyse financial statements on the spot, as this may come up during the assessment.
✨Connect with Company Goals
Familiarise yourself with AHEAD's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!
