Head of Finance in London

Based London (city) with limited travel, hybrid working. Our client is an innovative infrastructure project developer and investor that mobilises private investments in sustainable infrastructure. Building on a pioneering track record, the group has achieved considerable growth. The Group CFO is looking to recruit a Head of Group Finance to lead the controls and finance teams that are located across multiple sites. This role will require strong relationship management and transformation skills, due to a recent systems implementation and entity restructure. You will assume responsibility for all the accounting and tax affairs, with oversight of investing and IPEV valuation activities, risks and reporting compliance. As this is a key leadership role you will act as an ambassador for finance displaying and demonstrating the highest ethical and moral standards.

Role and Responsibilities

• Lead the financial controls team with responsibility for resourcing, performance management and staff development, managing day‐to‐day financial operations of entities, providing support to business unit Financial Controllers and entity Finance Managers as required.
• Present group results and updates as well as providing support to Financial Controllers reporting results of each business solution.
• Contribute to, and review financial results and CFO reports.
• Assume position on the Valuations Committee providing objective challenge to proposed valuation of investments determined by the Portfolio Finance team.
• Collaborate with the Head of Projects and Investments to evaluate investment valuations in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and IPEV Guidelines.
• Work in partnership with the Head of Financial Planning & Analysis and wider FP&A team to provide timely financial analysis and reporting to support requests from the CFO, CEO, Board, and Owners.
• Take charge of the group's international relationship with the external auditors, fostering effective communication and cooperation.
• Point of contact for technical accounting matters and financial operations across the Group, liaising with HR, Operations, Risk, and Internal Audit functions as required.
• Lead the accurate and timely preparation of the consolidated financial statements.
• Accountable for the development, implementation and review of accounting policies for the group.
• Responsible for implementing new accounting standards and providing technical accounting support across the group.
• Ensure full tax compliance across the group, with development and application of group-wide transfer pricing methodology.
• Oversee accounting system changes and optimisation in collaboration with the Financial Systems Manager and outsourced consultants.

Requirements

• Qualified accountant with strong IFRS knowledge including multi‐currency consolidations, IPEV valuations, fair value and sustainability reporting.
• Excellent leadership, stakeholder management and change management skills.
• Experience as a Head of Finance/Group Financial Controller (or similar) in an international financial institution.
• Experience of transformation & optimising finance functions (ideally SAP), including embedding new accounting/reporting systems and identifying and implementing process improvements.
• Strong financial planning, modelling and data analysis skills.
• Familiarity with private equity structure, jurisdiction set‐ups and exposure to emerging markets in Sub‐Saharan Africa and South Asia.
• Knowledge of International Tax and transfer pricing (ideally across African and Asian jurisdictions).
• Ability to thrive under pressure, balancing multiple deadlines while maintaining accuracy, control and professionalism.

Equality Statement

We know that diverse recruitment practices start with us. We encourage and celebrate applicants regardless of race (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origin), age, religion or belief, sexual orientation, sex, gender reassignment, disability, marital status, pregnancy and maternity or socioeconomic background. We are committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace by ensuring a diverse pool of talent, eliminating unlawful discrimination and recruiting the best person for each role. We review our practices on equality and diversity regularly.