At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance operations and provide strategic insights for clients.
- Company: Capita, a leader in education and skills support services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to your growth and career advancement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in finance while shaping the future of education.
- Qualifications: Strong finance expertise and excellent stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 75000 £ per year.
We’re looking for a dynamic Head of Finance to lead the delivery of end‑to‑end finance operations and strategic finance insight for our clients. This role sits at the heart of our Finance Services capability—driving accuracy, compliance and efficiency across Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Billing, Cash & Working Capital and period‑end support. You’ll shape and deliver a service that blends transactional excellence with forward‑looking financial insight. This is a high‑impact leadership role for someone who thrives on improving financial performance, building trusted client relationships and driving transformation through data, standardisation and automation.
Responsibilities
- Lead end‑to‑end delivery of Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Billing and Cash operations, ensuring accuracy, compliance and strong performance against SLAs and KPIs.
- Improve working capital through effective cash forecasting, aged debt management and enhanced cash conversion.
- Oversee period‑end activities including reconciliations, cut‑off support and audit readiness.
- Provide strategic finance partnering, delivering insight, forecasting, budgeting and scenario planning aligned to client objectives.
- Produce high‑quality MI and analysis to support decision‑making and drive margin, cost and cash improvements.
- Support commercial activity including pricing, bid modelling, value cases and change control assessments.
- Strengthen financial controls, master data governance and risk management across all finance processes.
- Drive continuous improvement through standardisation, lean methods and automation.
- Lead and develop finance teams, ensuring the right skills, capacity and a high‑performance culture.
- Manage third‑party partners and collaborate with client stakeholders across operations, commercial, technology and audit.
About You
You’ll bring deep expertise in finance operations and strategic finance, with the credibility to influence senior stakeholders and the drive to deliver measurable improvement. You will also have:
- Strong capability in planning, forecasting, performance management and scenario analysis.
- A proven track record of improving finance processes through standardisation, lean and automation.
- Excellent controls and governance experience, with a strong risk and audit mindset.
- Outstanding stakeholder management and the ability to translate complex financial information for non‑finance leaders.
- Commercial awareness across pricing, contract performance and working capital levers.
- Confidence with ERP systems and reporting tools (SAP or equivalent desirable).
- Professional finance qualifications (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) or equivalent senior shared services experience.
- A collaborative, data‑led, continuous‑improvement mindset.
What’s in it for you?
- A competitive basic salary (Up to £75,000)
- 23 days’ holiday (rising to 27) with the opportunity to buy extra leave
- The opportunity to take a paid day out of the office, volunteering for our charity partners or a cause of your choice
- Auto-enrolment to our company pension, life assurance, a cycle2work scheme, 15 weeks’ fully paid maternity, adoption and shared parental leave, paternity pay of two weeks…and plenty more
- Voluntary benefits designed to suit your lifestyle – from discounts on retail and socialising, to health & wellbeing, travel and technology
- Access to our Employee Network Groups, which represent every strand of diversity and allow colleagues to connect and learn from each other on an open, inclusive platform
Unlock Your Potential with Capita
At Capita, your career can take you wherever your ambition leads. You'll become part of a diverse network of talented, forward-thinking professionals working across a wide range of disciplines and sectors. We’re committed to your growth — offering endless opportunities to expand your skills, explore new paths, and advance your career. Join us and discover a career with purpose.
Equal Opportunities
At Capita, we’re committed to providing an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment process and working environment for everyone. We want everyone to have the best chance of succeeding as they move through their application and start their career with us. We are an equal opportunity and Disability Confident employer; we want to hear from you if you’d like to discuss any adjustments you might need during your recruitment process.
Head of Finance in Stafford employer: Capita
Capita is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and well-being, offering a competitive salary and extensive benefits including generous holiday allowances and paid volunteering days. With a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, Capita fosters a collaborative work culture where employees are encouraged to develop their skills and advance their careers in a supportive environment, all while making a meaningful impact in the education sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance in Stafford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector and let them know you're on the hunt for a Head of Finance role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your financial insights and strategic thinking. Be ready to discuss how you've improved finance processes in the past, as this will show your potential employer that you can drive transformation and efficiency.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere—focus on companies that align with your values and career goals. Use our website to find roles that excite you and match your skills. Tailor your approach to each company to stand out from the crowd!
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in leaving a positive impression. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance in Stafford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Finance role. Highlight your experience in finance operations, strategic insight, and any relevant qualifications. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've improved financial processes or built strong client relationships. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a high-impact leadership role, we want to see your ability to lead and develop teams. Mention any experiences where you've driven transformation or improved performance. Let us know how you can inspire others!
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 the role. Plus, it’s super easy—just click ‘Apply now’ and fill out the short application form!
How to prepare for a job interview at Capita
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Head of Finance, you’ll need to demonstrate your expertise in financial metrics. Brush up on key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) relevant to finance operations. Be ready to discuss how you've improved these metrics in past roles.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Insight
Prepare to share examples of how you've provided strategic finance partnering in previous positions. Think about specific instances where your insights led to better forecasting or budgeting outcomes. This will show your potential employer that you can deliver value beyond just the numbers.
✨Master Stakeholder Management
This role requires excellent stakeholder management skills. Be prepared to discuss how you've successfully communicated complex financial information to non-finance leaders. Use real-life examples to illustrate your ability to build trusted relationships and influence decision-making.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Highlight your experience with standardisation, lean methods, and automation in finance processes. Discuss any initiatives you've led that resulted in efficiency gains or cost savings. This will demonstrate your commitment to driving transformation and improving financial performance.
