At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage financial performance and reporting for a high-profile Food & Beverage contract.
- Company: Join Company of Cooks, a leader in vibrant food experiences across the UK's cultural hotspots.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, personal development, private medical eligibility, and regular social events.
- Other info: Flexible working options available, with a focus on collaboration and strategic growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on financial processes while working in a creative and community-focused environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in finance management, strong analytical skills, and proficiency in financial systems required.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
We are Company of Cooks, and we believe brilliant food and drink starts with brilliant people. For over 25 years, we’ve been part of some of the UK’s most loved cultural destinations, from historic palaces and botanical gardens to buzzing galleries and performance spaces, running the cafés, restaurants, bars and events that bring these incredible places to life.
Our values - Craft, Creativity and Community - guide everything we do. They shape how we work together, how we support our partners, and how we make each guest feel welcome. If you care about food, people and doing things properly, you’ll feel right at home here.
Wherever we are, we do more than serve. We bring places to life through food, service and creativity and we’re looking for aFinance Manager to work with us at Royal Opera House.
Location: WC2E 9DD - on site mainly with some flexibility to work from home on occasion
Working pattern: 40 hours per week - Monday - Friday
About the Role:
We are seeking an experienced Finance Manager to take ownership of the financial management of an established, high-profile Food & Beverage contract with turnover approaching £20million annually. This role will involve working closely with operational teams, ensuring accurate financial reporting, cost control, and providing commercial insight to support the ongoing success of the contract.
As a key member of the team, you will manage client-facing financial activities, ensuring transparency and fostering a strong partnership. The role will require an in-depth understanding of financial systems, processes, and reporting frameworks, as well as the ability to identify opportunities for financial and operational improvement.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage the financial performance of the contract, including P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow reporting.
- Partner with operational teams to ensure financial accuracy, cost control, and efficiency improvements.
- Provide clear, transparent financial reports and insights to the client, strengthening the contract partnership.
- Monitor financial risks and ensure compliance with contractual and regulatory obligations.
- Support budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis, ensuring alignment with financial expectations.
- Oversee effective cash flow management and debt control, resolving issues proactively.
Strategic Financial Oversight & Partnership Development
- Work alongside commercial and operational teams to identify financial opportunities that enhance the contract’s value.
- Partner with the Commercial Growth team, highlighting financial issues and seeking their support in implementing cost control improvements.
- Identify opportunities for margin improvement, owning theoretical GP calculations, understanding the impacts of sales mix changes and ensuring stock controls are in place
- Influence strategic decision-making by providing detailed financial analysis, forecasts, and performance reviews.
- Collaborate on financial modeling for contract renewals, extensions, and new opportunities.
- Continuously review and improve financial processes, controls, and reporting structures.
- Develop and maintain financial governance, ensuring alignment with company policies and best practices.
- Support the senior leadership in implementing operational changes or new initiatives that drive business growth, enhance the customer experience, and improve customer retention and loyalty.
- Present figures and performance metrics at client meetings.
The Ideal Candidate:
- Proven experience in client-facing financial reporting, with the ability to build strong financial partnerships.
- Extensive experience in finance, accounting, or commercial financial management, ideally within a contract-based or multi-site business.
- Strong analytical skills, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning expertise.
- Demonstrated ability to manage P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow accounting.
- Excellent commercial awareness and the ability to collaborate with operational teams to drive financial performance.
- High level of proficiency in financial systems, Excel, and reporting tools.
- Finance qualification (CIMA/ACCA/ACA) is beneficial but not essential for candidates with proven experience and ability in the key responsibilities outlined above.
What’s in it for you?
- An opportunity to work on a high-profile contract with long-term growth potential.
- A hands-on role focused on strategic and operational financial management.
- Competitive salary, benefits, and career development opportunities.
- The chance to make a significant impact by enhancing financial processes and driving success.
Working with Company of Cookshas its perks! People are at the heart of everything we do, so we\'ve developed a range of benefits to keep you happy.
- Personal Development and Training opportunities
- Private medical eligibility
- Eye care
- A great wellbeing strategy – including access to our Employee Assistance Programme, salary finance
- Family friendly support
- Regular social events and communication with our leaders
- Professional subscriptions
- Recognition schemes and people awards
- Long service awards
Ready to Apply?
Apply Now
Share
Location
Job Reference: compass/TP/2711204/194272
#J-18808-LjbffrFinance Manager in City of Westminster employer: Chartwells Independent
At Company of Cooks, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that values Craft, Creativity, and Community. As a Finance Manager at the iconic Royal Opera House, you will enjoy competitive benefits, personal development opportunities, and the chance to make a meaningful impact in a high-profile environment. Join us to be part of a team that not only serves but also brings cultural destinations to life through outstanding food and service.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Manager in City of Westminster
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific financial systems and reporting frameworks used in the food and beverage industry. Understanding these will help you speak the same language as the team and demonstrate your readiness to hit the ground running.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the food and beverage sector, especially those who have experience in client-facing financial roles. This can provide you with insights into the challenges they face and how you can position yourself as a solution.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've improved financial processes or driven cost control in previous roles. Being able to share tangible results will showcase your ability to add value to the Company of Cooks.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the Company of Cooks and their values—Craft, Creativity, and Community. Be ready to articulate how your personal values align with theirs and how you can contribute to their mission of bringing places to life through food and service.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Manager in City of Westminster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Company Values:Before you start writing your application, take some time to understand Company of Cooks' values: Craft, Creativity, and Community. Reflect these values in your application to show that you align with their mission.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in financial management, particularly in client-facing roles. Emphasise your skills in budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting, as these are crucial for the Finance Manager position.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:In your cover letter, explain why you are passionate about food and beverage management. Discuss how your previous experiences have prepared you for this role and how you can contribute to enhancing financial processes at Company of Cooks.
Showcase Analytical Skills:Since the role requires strong analytical skills, provide specific examples in your application where you've successfully managed P&L, balance sheets, or cash flow. Use metrics to demonstrate your impact on financial performance.
How to prepare for a job interview at Chartwells Independent
✨Understand the Company Values
Before your interview, make sure you know the core values of Company of Cooks: Craft, Creativity, and Community. Be prepared to discuss how these values resonate with your own work ethic and experiences.
✨Showcase Financial Acumen
Be ready to demonstrate your expertise in financial management, particularly in P&L, balance sheets, and cash flow reporting. Prepare examples from your past roles where you successfully managed financial performance or improved processes.
✨Prepare for Client-Facing Scenarios
Since this role involves client-facing financial activities, think of instances where you've built strong partnerships with clients. Be ready to discuss how you ensured transparency and fostered collaboration in those situations.
✨Highlight Analytical Skills
The ideal candidate should have strong analytical skills. Prepare to discuss your experience with budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis. Use specific examples to illustrate how your analytical insights have driven financial performance.
