At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the finance department, driving financial performance and supporting growth planning.
- Company: Di Lupo, home to iconic London restaurants Bocca di Lupo and Gelupo.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, staff dining discounts, health benefits, and senior leadership exposure.
- Other info: Join a close-knit team and play a key role in shaping our financial future.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment with growth opportunities.
- Qualifications: ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified with senior finance experience in hospitality.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 75000 £ per year.
Di Lupo is the parent company of Bocca di Lupo and Gelupo - two Soho institutions that have shaped London's food scene since 2008. Chef-Patron Jacob Kenedy built Bocca di Lupo on a clear conviction: deeply researched, honest regional Italian food, made from scratch with integrity. Gelupo, our gelateria directly opposite, has set the benchmark for artisan gelato in the city for over a decade. We are a small, close-knit team of around 85 people across our sites and head office. Independent, family-owned, and intentionally so.
This is the most senior finance position within BDL Restaurant Ltd, reporting directly to our founder and Executive Director, Jacob Kenedy. We are looking for a hands-on, commercially minded Head of Finance to lead our accounting department. We have a well-functioning finance department and are looking for someone who can take ownership of it, streamline where needed and think creatively about how to produce quality information more efficiently. This is not a back-office role. You will sit at the centre of commercial decision-making, working closely with Jacob and our Heads of Department to drive financial performance, support growth planning and maintain strong financial governance across all sites. You will manage one Accounts Assistant and work closely with our external accountancy firm, with full ownership of the finance function both operationally and strategically.
WHAT YOU'LL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR
- Monthly preparation and consolidation of monthly management accounts including P&L, balance sheet reconciliations, revenue analysis, CoGs, gross margins, labour costs, AP/AR, bank reconciliations, VAT and cashflow.
- Administration of Tronc schemes via external Tronc master.
- Oversight of accounts payable, receivable and multi-site bank reconciliations.
- VAT return preparation and submission.
- Cashflow forecasting and treasury planning.
- Annual budgeting, year-end schedules, statutory accounts, corporation tax, PAYE and renewal of insurance and utility contracts.
- Multi-year financial forecasting and expansion modelling.
- KPI analysis to support business decisions.
- Designing and maintaining automated reporting dashboards and creatively streamlining finance processes to produce quality information more efficiently.
- Helping to conceive and analyse growth opportunities as they arise.
- Supporting loan renewals, refinancing and financing arrangements.
- Preparation of monthly management accounts, P&L analysis, revenue/CoGs flashes to HODs and all month-end processing.
- Payroll - running reports through Harri, importing data and coordinating with payroll providers.
- Takings and stock take reconciliation across both sites.
- Weekly KPI packs and collating and approving staff hours with department heads.
- Leading the monthly accounts meeting.
ABOUT YOU
- ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified.
- Senior finance experience within hospitality, restaurants or multi-site food & beverage.
- Commercially minded - understands labour modelling, GP optimisation and site-level P&L dynamics.
- Experience supporting new openings or business expansion phases.
- Comfortable operating in an entrepreneurial, founder-led environment.
- Confident presenting financial information to Directors and non-finance colleagues alike.
- Hands-on, detail-driven and process-led.
- Strong Excel skills; experience with Sage 50 - note we are transitioning to Xero and the successful candidate will play a key role in bedding into the new system.
- Dynamic, flexible and collaborative - comfortable working across departments in a close-knit team.
A NOTE ON THIS OPPORTUNITY
The Head of Finance role is offered at £65,000, competitive for an independent restaurant group of our size. Our head office is also home to our HR Manager and Marketing Coordinator - for the right candidate who is suitably qualified and keen to take on a broader remit - acting as the day-to-day lead of our head office and coordinating across departments when needed, there is scope for the higher end of the salary range reflective of that responsibility.
WHAT WE OFFER
- £65,000 – £75,000 - £65,000 for the Head of Finance role, with up to £75,000 available for the right candidate who takes on day-to-day lead responsibility of our head office.
- Staff dining and discounts at Bocca di Lupo and Gelupo.
- Health and wellness benefits.
- 1 additional day of annual leave for every year of service.
- Senior leadership exposure and real influence over business direction.
To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter. We'd love to understand what draws you to a Head of Finance role at Di Lupo. BDL Restaurant Ltd is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all backgrounds.
Head of Finance in London employer: Bocca di Lupo
Contact Detail:
Bocca di Lupo Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the hospitality and finance sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online groups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Di Lupo and its financial operations. Understand their business model and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but someone who genuinely cares about their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your financial expertise and how it can benefit Di Lupo. Highlight your hands-on experience and your ability to think creatively about financial processes. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our close-knit team at Di Lupo. Let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Finance: When writing your application, let us see your enthusiasm for finance and how it connects to the hospitality industry. Share specific examples of how you've made a difference in previous roles, especially in a restaurant or multi-site environment.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter: Make sure your CV and cover letter are tailored to the Head of Finance role at Di Lupo. Highlight your relevant experience, especially in financial management and team leadership, and don’t forget to mention your qualifications like ACA, ACCA, or CIMA.
Be Clear and Concise: We appreciate clarity! Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where necessary to make it easy for us to see your key achievements and skills that align with the job description.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bocca di Lupo
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Head of Finance, you’ll need to be on top of your game with financial metrics. Brush up on key figures like P&L, cash flow forecasts, and KPIs relevant to the hospitality industry. Be ready to discuss how you've used these metrics to drive decisions in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role is about more than just crunching numbers; it’s about leading a team and collaborating across departments. Prepare examples of how you’ve successfully managed teams or projects, especially in a fast-paced environment like restaurants. Highlight your hands-on approach and how you foster collaboration.
✨Understand the Business
Di Lupo is all about quality and integrity in food. Familiarise yourself with their brands, Bocca di Lupo and Gelupo, and think about how finance plays a role in supporting their mission. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to their growth and financial governance.
✨Be Ready for Change
With the transition to Xero, they’re looking for someone who can adapt and lead this change. Think about your experience with software transitions and how you can help streamline processes. Share specific strategies you’ve implemented in the past to improve efficiency in finance functions.