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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial operations and strategic growth for Daytona Group.
- Company: Join Daytona, a leader in leisure and hospitality with award-winning circuits.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, competitive salary, performance bonuses, and free karting events.
- Why this job: Shape financial strategies and influence decisions at an executive level in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: ACCA/ACA/CIMA qualified with extensive senior finance experience, ideally in multi-site operations.
- Other info: Be part of a high-performing team focused on continuous improvement and growth.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 80000 £ per year.
Job Location: Daytona Sandown Park, Esher
Commencing: June 2025
Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Place in Organisation: Leadership Team
Salary: £75,000- £80,000 + Performance Bonus + Benefits
Hours: Full time, flexible hours
MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB
The Head of Finance (HOF) is a core member of Daytona's leadership team, working closely with the CEO, COO, and wider senior management to drive the Group’s financial performance and strategic growth. The HOF holds full ownership of Daytona’s financial operations, planning, and reporting, ensuring strong governance, accurate forecasting, and the delivery of ambitious EBITDA targets across all venues and business units. This is a pivotal role that demands a commercially astute, hands-on finance leader who can translate data into decisions, challenge and support the wider business, and embed financial discipline at every level of the organisation.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Strategic Financial Leadership
- Translate Daytona’s growth strategy into clear financial models, forecasts, and plans
- Lead Group-wide cashflow management, forecasting, and investment planning
- Support M&A activity, commercial due diligence, and risk assessment
- Identify and deliver margin improvement and cost-saving initiatives
- Present financial insights and board-level recommendations to inform decision-making
- Oversee insurance strategies and group-wide risk management
- Operational Finance & Compliance
- Oversee budgeting cycles, management accounts, and statutory reporting
- Lead all areas of financial compliance including VAT, PAYE, audits, PCI DSS, and Companies House submissions
- Support procurement processes and supplier negotiations
- Oversee finance systems, controls, and reconciliations to ensure operational integrity
- Support stock management, pricing strategy, and CapEx forecasting across venues
- Team Leadership & Development
- Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing finance function
- Manage and mentor key reports including Management Accountant and Purchase Ledger
- Embed a culture of ownership, accuracy, and continuous improvement
- Establish clear KPIs, workflows, and review cycles across the department
- Business Partnership & Collaboration
- Partner with the COO and Venue GMs on cost control, forecasting, and operational margin delivery
- Work with the HR team to align payroll, workforce planning, and cost reporting
- Collaborate with Sales and Marketing on revenue tracking and commercial performance
- Support Engineering and Ops with asset lifecycle and CapEx planning
- Represent Finance in leadership meetings and cross-department projects
ABOUT YOU
- ACCA / ACA / CIMA qualified (or equivalent)
- Extensive experience in a senior finance role, ideally in leisure, hospitality, or multi-site operations
- Proven ability to lead teams, improve systems, and scale finance processes
- Commercially sharp, with a strong understanding of operational KPIs and margin drivers
- Excellent communicator, comfortable influencing board-level decisions
- Hands-on, resilient, and energised by growth and transformation
WHAT WE OFFER
- A pivotal role shaping the financial direction of the Daytona Group
- Executive-level visibility and influence
- Competitive salary and bonus structure
- Free karting and team events across our award-winning circuits
- Generous staff perks and professional development opportunities
Locations
Head of Finance employer: DAYTONA SANDOWN PARK LIMITED
Contact Detail:
DAYTONA SANDOWN PARK LIMITED Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the leisure and hospitality sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with individuals who may have insights into Daytona's culture and expectations.
✨Tip Number 2
Research Daytona's recent financial performance and strategic initiatives. Being well-informed about their current projects and challenges will allow you to tailor your discussions and demonstrate your understanding of their business.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you've successfully developed finance teams in the past. Highlight specific examples where your guidance led to improved performance or efficiency.
✨Tip Number 4
Familiarise yourself with the key financial metrics relevant to multi-site operations. Be ready to discuss how you can leverage these metrics to drive profitability and support Daytona's growth strategy.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your relevant experience in finance, particularly in leadership roles. Emphasise your qualifications such as ACCA, ACA, or CIMA, and showcase your achievements in financial management and strategic growth.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that directly addresses the responsibilities of the Head of Finance role. Discuss how your skills align with their needs, particularly in areas like cashflow management, compliance, and team leadership.
Showcase Your Strategic Thinking: In your application, provide examples of how you've translated business strategies into financial models and forecasts. Highlight any experience you have with M&A activity or cost-saving initiatives to demonstrate your commercial acumen.
Prepare for Potential Questions: Anticipate questions related to financial governance, risk management, and team development. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you've influenced board-level decisions or improved financial processes.
How to prepare for a job interview at DAYTONA SANDOWN PARK LIMITED
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
As a candidate for the Head of Finance position, it's crucial to demonstrate your deep understanding of financial operations and strategic planning. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed cash flow, forecasting, and investment planning in previous roles.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to make data-driven decisions. Think about past experiences where you identified cost-saving initiatives or improved financial processes, and be ready to explain your thought process and outcomes.
✨Emphasise Leadership and Team Development
Highlight your experience in leading and developing finance teams. Discuss your approach to coaching and mentoring team members, as well as how you've fostered a culture of accuracy and continuous improvement within your department.
✨Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills
Since this role involves presenting financial insights to the board and collaborating with various departments, it's essential to showcase your communication skills. Prepare to discuss how you've effectively influenced decision-making at a senior level and how you can bridge the gap between finance and other business areas.
