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- Tasks: Lead financial operations and strategic growth for Daytona Group.
- 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 a key player in shaping financial strategies and driving growth in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: ACCA/ACA/CIMA qualified with senior finance experience, ideally in leisure or hospitality.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence board-level decisions and develop a high-performing finance team.
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
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, showcasing how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've led financial transformations in previous roles. Highlight your ability to drive growth and improve financial processes, as this is crucial for the Head of Finance position.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your leadership skills by sharing your approach to team development and mentoring. The role requires managing a high-performing finance function, so be ready to discuss how you've successfully built and led teams in the past.
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 relevant experience in senior finance roles, particularly in leisure or hospitality sectors. Emphasise your leadership skills and any achievements related to financial performance and strategic growth.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the Head of Finance position at Daytona. Discuss how your background aligns with their core responsibilities, such as cashflow management and team leadership, and provide specific examples of your past successes.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: Clearly state your ACCA, ACA, or CIMA qualifications in your application. If you have additional certifications or training that relate to financial compliance or operational KPIs, be sure to include those as well.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since the role requires excellent communication skills, consider including examples of how you've influenced board-level decisions or collaborated with other departments. This will demonstrate your ability to partner effectively within a leadership team.
How to prepare for a job interview at DAYTONA SANDOWN PARK LIMITED
✨Understand the Financial Landscape
Before your interview, make sure you have a solid grasp of Daytona's financial performance and strategic goals. Familiarise yourself with their recent financial reports and any news related to the company. This will help you demonstrate your commercial acumen and ability to contribute to their growth strategy.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities. Prepare examples from your past experience where you've successfully managed financial operations, improved margins, or led a team through a challenging situation. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a Head of Finance, you'll be leading a team and collaborating with other departments. Be ready to discuss your leadership philosophy and how you develop high-performing teams. Share specific instances where you've mentored team members or implemented processes that fostered a culture of continuous improvement.
✨Demonstrate Your Communication Skills
Since this role involves presenting financial insights to the board and influencing key decisions, it's crucial to showcase your communication skills. Practice explaining complex financial concepts in simple terms and be prepared to discuss how you've effectively communicated with non-financial stakeholders in the past.
