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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Daytona's financial strategy and operations, driving growth and performance.
- Company: Join Daytona, a leader in leisure and hospitality, known for its exciting karting experiences.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, competitive salary, performance bonuses, and free karting events.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic leadership team, influencing key financial decisions and driving transformation.
- Qualifications: ACCA/ACA/CIMA qualified with extensive senior finance experience, ideally in leisure or multi-site operations.
- Other info: Opportunity to mentor a high-performing finance team and shape the future of Daytona.
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
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
Familiarise yourself with Daytona's financial performance and strategic goals. Understanding their current financial landscape will allow you to speak confidently about how your experience aligns with their objectives during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
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 for the Head of Finance role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've driven financial performance in previous roles. Be ready to share success stories that demonstrate your ability to lead teams, improve systems, and achieve ambitious financial targets.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the latest trends in financial management within the leisure and hospitality industries. Being knowledgeable about current challenges and opportunities will help you position yourself as a forward-thinking candidate who can contribute to Daytona's growth.
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 within the leisure or hospitality sectors. Emphasise your achievements in financial management, forecasting, and team leadership.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the Head of Finance position at Daytona. Discuss how your skills align with their core responsibilities, such as strategic financial leadership and operational compliance.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly state your ACCA, ACA, or CIMA qualifications in your application. Mention any additional certifications or training that demonstrate your commitment to continuous professional development in finance.
Showcase Leadership Experience: Provide specific examples of how you have led finance teams and improved financial processes in previous roles. Highlight your ability to influence decision-making at a senior level and your experience in managing cross-department collaborations.
How to prepare for a job interview at DAYTONA SANDOWN PARK LIMITED
✨Understand the Financial Landscape
Before the interview, make sure to research Daytona's financial performance and recent developments in the leisure and hospitality sectors. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge of the industry and how it relates to the company's growth strategy.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
Be ready to discuss how you would translate Daytona's growth strategy into financial models and forecasts. Think about specific examples from your past experience where you've successfully implemented similar strategies.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
As a Head of Finance, you'll need to lead and develop a high-performing team. Prepare to share your leadership philosophy and provide examples of how you've mentored team members or improved finance processes in previous roles.
✨Communicate Effectively
Since this role involves influencing board-level decisions, practice articulating complex financial concepts in a clear and concise manner. Be prepared to present your insights and recommendations confidently during the interview.
