At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and drive performance for a prestigious law firm.
- Company: Award-winning regional law practice with a rich history since 1895.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to mentor a finance team and influence strategic decisions.
- Why this job: Be a key player in shaping financial success and sustainability in a dynamic legal setting.
- Qualifications: Professional finance qualification and experience in a partnership or professional services environment.
The predicted salary is between 67500 - 82500 £ per year.
Our client is a long-established, award-winning regional law practice founded in 1895, providing comprehensive legal services to both businesses and private individuals.
The organisation advises SMEs, owner-managed businesses, multinational companies, charities, educational institutions, healthcare providers, public sector organisations, and private clients.
They are now looking for an experienced Head of Finance, this role will need someone who is a commercially minded finance professional who works closely with the Managing Partner, senior firm leadership & Group CFO to drive financial performance and bottom-line growth.
Acting as a strategic partner, this role provides insight, analysis, challenge and support to practice heads and legal departments to help them improve profitability, efficiency and long-term sustainability.
Responsibilities
- Act as the primary financial advisor to the Managing Partner and the senior leadership group.
- Provide high-quality commercial insight, identifying trends, opportunities and risks across the firm.
- Support and influence strategic planning, including long term financial modelling and scenario analysis.
- Translate complex financial data into clear recommendations and business cases.
- Oversee all aspects of the finance function, ensuring robust financial control, compliance, and reporting.
- Oversee the preparation and review of monthly management accounts, statutory accounts & statutory audit
- Monitor performance, productivity, realisation and profitability & all firm-wide KPIs, fee earner performance, matter profitability, and utilisation metrics.
- Analyse and explain drivers of performance variance (e. g., utilisation, leverage, recovery, matter mix).
- Lead regular financial review meetings with practice groups to drive accountability and commercial awareness.
- Provide coaching & support to the partner group & heads of department on financial management & performance, pricing, fee structures, margin improvement and cashflow management.
- Lead annual budgeting and quarterly forecasting cycles across the firm, providing input and insight to the
- Develop forward looking MI and dashboards that support decision making at partner and board level.
- Improve financial reporting processes to deliver timely, reliable and insightful information.
- Lead profitability improvement initiatives across sectors, teams and matter types.
- Support alternative fee arrangements (AFAs), fixed fee pricing and framework agreements.
- Evaluate investment opportunities, new hires, office expansion, and major operational initiatives.
- Lead or support cross-firm projects related to efficiency, cost control, systems optimisation and process redesign.
- Play a significant role in system migration or PMS transformation projects, ensuring financial processes and reporting align with future operating models.
- Support partner remuneration processes, KPIs and performance metrics.
- Evaluate M&A opportunities, integration plans, and post merger performance.
- Ensure aligned financial controls, policies and reporting across the finance team.
- Work with the Group Legal Accounts Manager & Legal Accounts/Credit Control function to ensure financial integrity, compliance and accurate data foundations, improve lock up, realisation rates, billing cycles and working capital performance.
- Lead, develop and mentor the local finance team
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement
- Promote strong communication between finance and the wider business in particular the Partners and Heads of Department
- Candidate Profile
- Professional qualification (ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent).
- Proven experience in a professional services or partnership environment (legal sector experience highly desirable).
- Proven experience providing financial insight and challenge to senior stakeholders.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to influence partners and senior leaders.
- Ability to drive performance improvement and lead cross functional initiatives.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Head of Finance in Maidstone employer: Career Legal
Career Legal is an exceptional employer located in the vibrant Greater London area, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and professional growth. With a comprehensive benefits package and a focus on employee development, we provide our team with the tools and opportunities to excel in their careers while ensuring a supportive environment that values attention to detail and expertise in legal finance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance in Maidstone
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Career Legal. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance in Maidstone
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Career Legal.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Career Legal's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Career Legal
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Career Legal.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Career Legal will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Career Legal employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
