At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a finance team, shape financial strategy, and drive performance in a dynamic restaurant business.
- Company: Join a growing multisite restaurant operator focused on customer experience and ambitious growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid working, and potential for contract extension or permanent role.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a high-profile role with opportunities for professional growth and strategic influence.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA) with hospitality sector experience and strong leadership skills.
- Other info: Immediate start available; perfect for those ready to take on a challenge.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 120000 £ per year.
We are seeking a commercially-minded finance leader to join a dynamic, customer-focused multisite restaurant business as Head of Commercial Finance. This is a high-impact position at the heart of the senior leadership team, offering the opportunity to shape the financial strategy of a growing and ambitious division.
You will lead a small, high-performing commercial finance team and act as a trusted partner to the Divisional Managing Director and wider leadership group. Your insight and expertise will help drive performance, inform key decisions, and support the achievement of strategic goals.
In this role, you will set the financial direction of the division and take a leading role in defining annual objectives, quarterly priorities, and team development. You will work closely with the Divisional MD, Operations Director, and HR Director to shape operational strategy and deliver clear, actionable insight that drives business outcomes.
A key part of the role involves producing and delivering the monthly Executive Pack, which you will present at board-level meetings. You will lead labour productivity analysis and reporting, manage capital investment appraisals, and provide commercial insight at monthly capex reviews. You will also partner with food and marketing teams on menu analysis, pricing strategy, and the financial modelling of product changes.
In addition, you will lead the financial element of the strategic planning process, overseeing budgets for revenue, cost of sales, labour, and other sales-related costs. Ensuring continuous improvement in reporting—making outputs timely, relevant, and accurate—will also be a priority.
Your role will further include partnering with operations and the MD to evaluate new site openings, refurbishments, and closures, providing robust financial analysis to support key investment decisions.
To be successful, you will be a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with a strong understanding of the hospitality or multi-site sector. You will have experience managing and developing teams, along with a proven ability to influence and support senior stakeholders. You will be commercially astute, proactive, and hands-on, with the strategic mindset to support growth and performance. Strong analytical capability, the ability to communicate complex ideas with clarity, and credibility with both financial and non-financial stakeholders are all essential.
If you’re ready to make a real impact and shape the future of a leading hospitality business, we would love to hear from you.
Start date: ASAP
Head of Commercial Finance employer: Baker Charles
Contact Detail:
Baker Charles Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Commercial Finance
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the hospitality and finance sectors. Attend industry events or webinars where you can meet key players and learn about the latest trends. This will not only enhance your knowledge but also increase your visibility to potential employers like us.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the specific financial challenges faced by multisite restaurant operators. Understanding issues like labour productivity, capital investment appraisals, and menu pricing strategies will help you speak confidently about how you can add value to our team.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in leading teams and influencing senior stakeholders. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've driven performance and supported strategic goals in previous roles, as this will demonstrate your fit for the Head of Commercial Finance position.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on the latest financial reporting tools and techniques. Being knowledgeable about innovative reporting methods will show us that you're proactive and committed to continuous improvement, which is crucial for this role.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Commercial Finance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in commercial finance, particularly within the hospitality or multi-site sector. Emphasise your leadership skills and any achievements that demonstrate your ability to influence senior stakeholders.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your understanding of the role and the company. Discuss how your background aligns with the responsibilities outlined in the job description, particularly your experience in financial strategy and team development.
Highlight Key Achievements: In both your CV and cover letter, include specific examples of past successes, such as improving financial reporting processes or leading successful financial analyses that drove business outcomes. Quantify your achievements where possible.
Prepare for Interviews: If selected for an interview, be ready to discuss your strategic mindset and how you would approach the financial direction of the division. Prepare to articulate your experience in managing teams and influencing key decisions at a senior level.
How to prepare for a job interview at Baker Charles
✨Understand the Business Model
Before the interview, take time to research the restaurant operator's business model. Understand how they generate revenue, their target market, and any recent developments in the industry. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your commercial acumen and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Prepare for Financial Strategy Questions
Given the high-impact nature of this role, be ready to discuss your experience in shaping financial strategies. Prepare examples of how you've previously influenced financial decisions, managed budgets, or improved reporting processes. Use specific metrics to illustrate your success.
✨Showcase Team Leadership Skills
As you'll be leading a small finance team, it's crucial to highlight your leadership experience. Be prepared to discuss how you've developed teams in the past, your approach to mentoring, and how you foster a collaborative environment. This will reassure the interviewers of your capability to manage and inspire your team.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
In this role, you'll need to present complex financial information to non-financial stakeholders. Practice explaining financial concepts in simple terms. During the interview, focus on clear communication and confidence, as this will reflect your ability to engage with various departments effectively.