At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance function, ensuring robust financial control and insightful commercial analysis.
- Company: Dynamic, purpose-driven organisation in the leisure and consumer services sector.
- Benefits: Salary up to £75k, hybrid working, and impactful leadership role.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with strong values and ongoing investment opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape finance processes and influence strategic decisions in a growing business.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant with experience in financial control and FP&A.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 75000 £ per year.
We are partnering with a dynamic, purpose-driven, multi-site organisation operating within the leisure and consumer services sector. With a growing footprint and a strong focus on delivering high-quality customer experiences, the business is entering an exciting phase of development and investment. As part of this growth, an opportunity has arisen for an experienced Head of Finance - Financial Control & FP&A to lead a broad and high-impact finance function. Reporting directly to the Chief Financial & IT Officer, this is a key leadership role combining robust financial control with forward-looking commercial insight and business partnering. This is a hands‑on position, ideal for a technically strong and commercially aware finance leader who thrives in a fast‑paced environment and enjoys influencing decision‑making across a diverse, operational business.
Key Responsibilities
- Financial Control & Reporting
- Own and deliver accurate, timely and insightful monthly management accounts
- Maintain strong financial controls across all areas including revenue, cost base, payroll, and balance sheet
- Lead the year‑end audit process and act as the primary point of contact for external auditors
- Oversee statutory reporting and ensure full compliance with accounting standards and regulatory requirements
- Drive continuous improvement of financial controls, processes, and reporting quality
- FP&A & Commercial Insight
- Lead annual budgeting and reforecasting processes
- Develop robust cash flow forecasting, financial modelling, and scenario planning
- Provide clear and actionable analysis on performance, highlighting risks and opportunities
- Support long‑term planning, investment decisions, and business cases
- Enhance KPI reporting and build forward‑looking performance insights
- Business Partnering
- Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and operational teams across multiple sites
- Translate financial data into meaningful insights for non‑finance stakeholders
- Challenge and support decision‑making to improve commercial performance
- Partner on CAPEX proposals, commercial initiatives, and investment appraisals
- Leadership & Continuous Improvement
- Lead, develop, and inspire the finance team, fostering a high‑performance culture
- Drive improvements in systems, reporting automation, and data quality
- Champion best practice across finance processes and governance
- Build strong cross‑functional relationships across the organisation
Candidate Profile
We are seeking a well‑rounded finance leader who combines technical excellence with strong commercial acumen and stakeholder engagement skills.
Essential:
- Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
- Significant experience across financial control, management reporting, FP&A, and business partnering
- Strong technical accounting expertise including audit, statutory reporting, and balance sheet management
- Demonstrable experience in budgeting, forecasting, financial modelling, and performance analysis
- Proven ability to partner with senior stakeholders in a multi‑site or operational environment
- Experience leading and developing finance teams
Key Skills & Attributes:
- Highly commercial mindset with the ability to link financial insight to business performance
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving capabilities
- Confident communicator with the ability to influence and challenge at senior levels
- Hands‑on, pragmatic, and adaptable in a fast‑moving environment
- High integrity with a strong focus on governance and control
- Ability to simplify complex financial information into clear, actionable insight
What's on Offer
- Salary up to £75,000 depending on experience
- Hybrid working
- A broad and impactful leadership role within a growing, multi‑site organisation
- Opportunity to shape and enhance finance processes, systems, and commercial insights
- High visibility role working closely with senior leadership and influencing strategic decision‑making
- A collaborative, values‑driven culture with a strong sense of purpose
- Exposure to a diverse operational business with ongoing investment and growth
Head of Finance in Ash employer: Cobb & Jones Recruitment Limited
Join a dynamic and purpose-driven organisation in the leisure and consumer services sector, where you will play a pivotal role as Head of Finance. With a strong focus on high-quality customer experiences and a collaborative, values-driven culture, this position offers hybrid working, competitive salary, and significant opportunities for professional growth and influence within a multi-site environment. Be part of a team that champions continuous improvement and fosters a high-performance culture, all while contributing to the exciting phase of development and investment.
Contact Details:
Cobb & Jones Recruitment Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance in Ash
✨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.
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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 Cobb & Jones Recruitment Limited. 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 Ash
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 Cobb & Jones Recruitment Limited.
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 Cobb & Jones Recruitment Limited'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 Cobb & Jones Recruitment Limited
✨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 Cobb & Jones Recruitment Limited.
✨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 Cobb & Jones Recruitment Limited 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 Cobb & Jones Recruitment Limited 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.
