At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial control and reporting for UK and European operations in a dynamic sports lab environment.
- Company: Join a growing sports lab company focused on innovation and excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a chance to shape financial strategies.
- Other info: Hands-on role with potential to evolve into Finance Director.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on financial performance and drive growth in an exciting industry.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with experience in project-based finance and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
About The Role
The Head of Finance will take ownership of financial control and reporting across the business, including the consolidation of UK and European operations.
The role will bring greater consistency and visibility to financial performance, ensuring robust reporting and control across the business.
A key focus will be on margin analysis and cost discipline across laboratory and field service delivery, alongside maintaining the integrity of revenue recognition for project-based and milestone billing.
The role will also lead cash flow forecasting and working capital optimisation.
The Head of Finance will oversee the transition from outsourced bookkeeping to a controlled in‑house model, establishing the systems, processes and controls required to support the next stage of growth.
This is a hands‑on role requiring strong technical capability, commercial judgement and the ability to operate effectively across both the detail and the wider business.
Key Responsibilities
- Financial Control & Governance
- Own monthly management accounts across group entities.
- Establish robust consolidation processes (multi‑currency where relevant).
- Ensure appropriate revenue recognition policies (project‑based, stage‑of‑completion, milestone or delivery‑based as applicable).
- Strengthen internal controls, particularly across international operations.
- Oversee statutory accounts and audit processes.
- Manage tax compliance across UK and Europe.
- FP&A & Commercial Insight
- Develop forward‑looking budgets and rolling forecasts.
- Introduce project‑level profitability analysis (by service line, geography, customer type).
- Analyse laboratory utilisation, field team productivity and margin by contract type.
- Provide insight into pricing strategy and cost‑to‑serve dynamics.
- Improve billing discipline and debtor management.
- Manage milestone invoicing and contract cash profiles.
- Enhance cash forecasting and liquidity planning.
- Systems & Processes
- Assess current finance systems and introduce scalable reporting capability.
- Gradually insource bookkeeping currently handled externally in Europe.
- Standardise chart of accounts and reporting across subsidiaries.
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Act as finance partner to operational leaders (lab, field operations, commercial).
- Work closely with Executive Chair and King Group on performance reporting.
- Prepare board‑quality financial packs with KPI dashboards.
- Candidate Requirements
Experience
- Qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA or equivalent).
- Experience within services‑led, project‑based or testing / certification / technical consultancy.
- Multi‑entity or international reporting exposure preferred.
- Experience in revenue recognition under project or milestone billing models.
- Comfortable operating in a scaling SME or investor‑backed environment.
- Experience transitioning from outsourced to in‑house finance models desirable.
- Capabilities
- Strong FP&A and commercial analysis capability.
- Detail‑oriented with high standards of control and governance.
- Systems‑aware and process improvement focused. Able to operate both strategically and operationally.
- Personal Attributes
- Hands‑on, technically proficient and pragmatic.
- Credible with technically strong operational leaders.
- Comfortable in a growth and change environment.
- Ambitious and capable of evolving into Finance Director over time.
- To apply
To apply, please send your CV to Daryl Harper at applications@fwbltd. com. For an initial confidential discussion, contact him at 0131 539 7087.
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Head of Finance - Sports Labs in Livingston employer: FWB
The R&A is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment at the heart of the golf industry. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, the organisation provides comprehensive benefits including a competitive salary, generous holiday allowance, and unique perks such as free tickets to prestigious championships. The collaborative culture fosters innovation and strategic thinking, making it an ideal place for professionals looking to make a meaningful impact in a high-profile setting.
