Head of Finance Transformation

Location: Hybrid between Cadent Locations & Home

Advertised Salary: Competitive plus Benefits

Job Function: Finance

Working Hours: 37

Location Type: Hybrid

Contract Type: Permanent

Posting End Date: 14/9/26

Hybrid between nearest Cadent location and home, typically two to three days per week in the office

Leading the Future of Finance at Cadent

At Cadent, we're delivering the transformation needed to build the future of our finance function.

We're looking for an exceptional Head of Finance Transformation to lead the next phase of our finance evolution, harnessing technology, automation, data and AI to create a more efficient, insightful and future‑ready function.

Reporting directly to the Group Financial Controller, this is a strategically important leadership role with significant visibility across the organisation, including regular engagement with the Executive Committee and senior business leaders. You'll be responsible for defining and delivering a transformation agenda that modernises systems, streamlines processes and enables finance to operate as a high‑performing strategic partner to the business.

We have several key projects in progress to embrace new technological developments, overhaul our planning capabilities and improve core processes. It is therefore highly desirable that you have demonstrable experience of SAP (or a similar ERP system) implementations and enjoy collaborating across functions to deliver value‑adding improvements.

This is a rare opportunity to influence enterprise‑wide change, lead a specialist team and shape how finance operates across one of the UK's largest regulated utility businesses.

Why you will love this role

• Shape the future of Finance by developing and delivering Cadent's Finance Transformation strategy, driving the adoption of technology, automation, AI and best‑practice processes across the function.
• Influence at the highest level through close partnership with senior Finance leaders, Technology teams and the Executive Committee, ensuring transformation activity supports long‑term business objectives.
• Lead meaningful change by taking major transformation programmes from concept through to implementation, adoption and measurable business outcomes.
• Enhance operational performance by simplifying end‑to‑end finance processes, strengthening controls, improving data quality and increasing efficiency across the function.
• Build high‑performing teams by leading, coaching and developing a specialist Finance Transformation & Systems team, creating a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

What you will bring

• Professional finance expertise with a recognised accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent), significant post‑qualification experience and a strong understanding of finance operations and management accounting.
• Transformation leadership experience gained through delivering large‑scale finance transformation programmes within complex, matrix organisations.
• Strong systems knowledge including finance platforms, ERP solutions, automation technologies, reporting tools, data modelling and wider digital finance capabilities.
• Technology and AI capability with experience of solutions such as SAP S/4HANA, Microsoft 365, Power Platform, Power BI, Microsoft Copilot, AI and automation technologies.
• Exceptional stakeholder influence with the ability to engage, challenge and build credibility with Executive leaders, senior business stakeholders and technical specialists.
• Programme delivery excellence including governance, planning, risk management, change leadership and benefits realisation across multiple initiatives.
• Strong people leadership and team management experience, with a proven track record of leading, coaching and developing high‑performing teams through change.
• Strategic thinking and commercial awareness with a forward‑looking mindset, capable of bridging finance and technology to solve complex business challenges within a regulated environment.

Why Cadent? This is a rare opportunity to play a defining role in the evolution of finance within one of the UK's largest regulated utility businesses. You'll have the visibility, influence and support to lead significant change, modernise how finance operates and deliver lasting business impact.

If you're a commercially minded finance leader with the vision, credibility and drive to deliver large-scale transformation, we'd love to hear from you.

Be part of the team redefining what great finance can achieve

Disclaimer:While the closing date is set as mentioned, we reserve the right to close the application process earlier if necessary, depending on the unique circumstances of each role.

At Cadent, we’re thrilled to be part of the future of UK energy!

We have a clear roadmap to drive our performance to the forefront of our industry and support the UK government in achieving its net zero targets by 2050.

We’re making a difference through innovation and new ways of working. Together, we’re shaping a cleaner, greener future for our 11 million customers, whom we put at the heart of everything we do.

What’s In It for You

Here at Cadent, we recognise that our people are truly unsung heroes. Quietly confident, delivering every day - that’s why we’re committed to supporting our people to get the best out of themselves. For this role, we offer:

• MyChoices, our flexible benefits programme, gives you access to a range of salary sacrifice benefits, including Private Medical Insurance for you and your family, plus a 24/7 Bupa HealthLine.
• 25 days’ holiday, plus 8 statutory days and an option to buy or sell holiday days
• An Annual Performance Bonus of up to 20% of your salary
• A generous pension scheme where the company double matches your contributions up to 12% i.e. if you contribute 6% a month, the company will contribute 12%
• A competitive salary that’s reviewed each year against the market median salary for your role, skills, knowledge and experience
• Generous family policies and flexible benefits
• A free Employee Assistance Line where you can get support and advice on any of the challenges you’re facing, completely confidentially
• Support to help you cover the cost of professional membership subscriptions, course fees, books, examination fees and time off for study leave – so long as it’s relevant to your role
• Plus many more benefits that help you join the dots between your work and home life!

We support a healthy work‑life balance and are open to flexible working options.

Diversity and Inclusion

We value diversity and are committed to being an equitable employer. Our employee communities – Women in Cadent, Pride at Work (LGBTQ+), Embrace (ethnicity and religion), Thrive! (disability), the Cadent Military Community, the Grief Awareness Community, and the Men's Engagement Network (M.E.N) – can’t wait to welcome you!

As a proud Disability Confident Leader, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria for the vacancy. Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process and we will ensure that support is provided.

What’s next?

Be part of something big. Help shape the future of gas for generations to come.

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