Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial operations, planning, and reporting for Daytona's growth.
- Company: Join Daytona, a leader in leisure and hospitality, driving financial success.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible hours, competitive salary, performance bonuses, and free karting events.
- Why this job: Be a key player in shaping financial strategy and influencing decisions at the executive level.
- Qualifications: ACCA/ACA/CIMA qualified with extensive senior finance experience, ideally in leisure or hospitality.
- Other info: Opportunity for professional development and a vibrant team culture.
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
- 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
- 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
- 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 (Esher) 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 (Esher)
✨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 the role or the company. This can help you gain valuable information and potentially get a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with Daytona's financial performance and strategic goals. Understanding their current challenges and opportunities will allow you to tailor your discussions during interviews, demonstrating your proactive approach and alignment with their vision.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've led financial transformations in previous roles. Highlight your experience in managing teams and improving financial processes, as this will resonate well with the leadership team at Daytona.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your ability to communicate complex financial data clearly. Practice explaining financial concepts in simple terms, as this skill is crucial for influencing board-level decisions and collaborating with non-financial stakeholders.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance (Esher)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in senior finance roles, particularly in leisure or hospitality sectors. Emphasise your qualifications (ACCA/ACA/CIMA) and any relevant achievements that demonstrate your ability to lead teams and improve financial systems.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, clearly articulate why you are the right fit for the Head of Finance position. Discuss your strategic financial leadership experience and how you can contribute to Daytona's growth strategy. Use specific examples to showcase your commercial acumen and decision-making skills.
Highlight Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading a finance team, be sure to highlight your leadership and mentoring experience. Provide examples of how you've developed high-performing teams and established a culture of accuracy and continuous improvement in previous roles.
Showcase Financial Acumen: Demonstrate your understanding of financial operations by discussing your experience with budgeting, forecasting, and compliance. Mention any successful initiatives you've led that improved margins or reduced costs, as these will resonate well with the hiring team.
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. Being able to discuss industry trends and how they impact the company's strategy will demonstrate your commercial acumen.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
As the Head of Finance, you'll need to translate growth strategies into financial models. Be ready to discuss your experience with forecasting, cash flow management, and how you've previously supported M&A activities or risk assessments.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Highlight your experience in leading finance teams and developing high-performing functions. Prepare examples of how you've mentored team members and established a culture of accuracy and continuous improvement within your 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 discuss how you've successfully collaborated with other departments to drive financial performance.
