At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and exit readiness for a PE-backed consulting business.
- Company: Dynamic professional services firm with a strong growth trajectory.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, hybrid working, and exposure to high-stakes transactions.
- Other info: 6-9 month contract with significant career advancement opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a pivotal role in shaping financial narratives and driving successful exits.
- Qualifications: Proven Interim CFO experience in private equity-backed environments.
Cedar is partnered with a PE-backed professional services business to appoint an Interim Chief Financial Officer. This is a 6-9 month contract offering £1,750-£2,250 per day, based in Central London with hybrid working (3-4 days per week in the office).
The role sits at Board level and focuses on exit readiness, financial leadership and transaction delivery across a mid-market, investor-backed consulting business, with close interaction with the CEO, Board and private equity sponsor.
The Company
The organisation is a PE-backed professional services platform with revenues of c.£100M, operating across multiple service lines and a diversified client base. The business has grown significantly under private equity ownership, supported by a combination of organic expansion and targeted acquisitions. It is now entering a critical phase as it prepares for a near-term exit, with a focus on enhancing financial visibility, strengthening reporting quality and presenting a compelling equity story to the market. Finance plays a central role in this phase, underpinning both operational performance and transaction readiness.
The Role
The Interim CFO will lead the business through the final stages of exit preparation and transaction execution, ensuring a robust, credible and investor‑ready finance function. The role requires a balance of strategic oversight and hands‑on delivery, with responsibility for shaping the financial narrative, managing diligence processes and supporting valuation discussions.
Key responsibilities
- Leading all aspects of exit readiness, including vendor due diligence, financial modelling and preparation of investor materials.
- Owning the financial narrative, ensuring consistency across forecasts, data room outputs and management presentations.
- Partnering with the CEO and private equity sponsor to shape exit strategy and support buyer engagement.
- Ensuring high-quality financial reporting, with full audit readiness and robustness of historical financials.
- Overseeing forecasting, budgeting and long-range planning processes to support valuation and transaction discussions.
- Driving working capital optimisation and cash management ahead of exit.
- Managing external advisors including diligence providers, auditors and corporate finance teams.
- Leading and stabilising the finance function through a high-pressure transaction period.
- Supporting any final integration, carve-out or restructuring activity to enhance exit positioning.
Your Profile
- Proven Interim CFO with a track record of delivering exits within private equity-backed businesses.
- Experience operating within mid-market, investor-backed environments, ideally within professional services or consulting.
- Strong experience leading vendor due diligence processes and engaging directly with investors and buyers.
- Deep technical grounding across financial reporting, consolidation and audit processes.
- Commercially astute, with the ability to articulate a clear and compelling equity story.
- Hands‑on, delivery-focused and comfortable operating at pace in a high‑stakes environment.
- Strong stakeholder management experience across Board, investors and external advisors.
Compensation & Working Arrangements
The day rate for this Interim CFO role is £1,750-£2,250 per day. The role is based in Central London with hybrid working (typically 3-4 days per week in the office). This is a 6-9 month assignment offering direct exposure to a near-term exit within a PE-backed professional services business.
CFO - Greater London England employer: Cedar
Cedar offers an exceptional opportunity for professionals seeking to make a significant impact in a dynamic, PE-backed environment. With a focus on exit readiness and financial leadership, employees benefit from a collaborative work culture that values strategic input and hands-on delivery. The role of Interim CFO not only provides competitive compensation but also positions you at the forefront of a critical phase in the company's growth, ensuring ample opportunities for professional development and networking within the private equity landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land CFO - Greater London England
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend networking events, join relevant LinkedIn groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to former colleagues or industry contacts. You never know who might have a lead on your next big opportunity.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and understanding their financial landscape. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially around exit readiness and transaction delivery. Practice common interview questions and have your own questions ready to show your interest.
✨Showcase Your Value
When you get the chance to meet potential employers, make sure to highlight your track record in delivering successful exits and managing high-pressure situations. Use specific examples from your past roles to demonstrate how you can add value to their business.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to check out our website for the latest job openings! Applying directly through us not only gives you access to exclusive roles but also helps us match your skills with the right opportunities. Let’s land that dream job together!
We think you need these skills to ace CFO - Greater London England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience as an Interim CFO, especially in private equity-backed environments. We want to see how your skills align with the role's focus on exit readiness and financial leadership.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your past successes in leading exits and managing financial narratives. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills:Since this role involves working closely with the CEO, Board, and investors, make sure to highlight your experience in stakeholder management. We want to know how you've successfully navigated high-pressure environments before.
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 Cedar
✨Know Your Numbers
As a CFO, you’ll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've improved financial visibility and reporting quality in past roles. Prepare specific examples that showcase your experience with vendor due diligence and financial modelling.
✨Master the Exit Strategy
Understand the nuances of exit readiness and be prepared to articulate a clear strategy. Think about how you would approach shaping the financial narrative for potential buyers and what steps you would take to ensure audit readiness. This will show your strategic thinking and hands-on delivery focus.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
You’ll be working closely with the CEO, Board, and private equity sponsors, so practice how you’ll communicate with these stakeholders. Be ready to discuss your experience in managing relationships and how you’ve successfully engaged with investors and external advisors in high-pressure situations.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Insight
Prepare to discuss how you can articulate a compelling equity story. Think about your past experiences where you’ve had to balance strategic oversight with operational delivery. Highlight your ability to drive working capital optimisation and cash management, as these are crucial in a transaction environment.
