At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic finance team and drive strategic business decisions.
- Company: Join a rapidly expanding business with a stellar reputation.
- Benefits: High autonomy, hybrid work, and clear paths to Finance Director roles.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity for ambitious finance professionals seeking growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a growing organisation while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong finance and leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Not every Head of Finance role is created equal. Some focus purely on reporting, others on process improvement, whereas this opportunity offers something far more interesting. We're partnering with a highly successful, rapidly expanding business that continues to invest heavily in both people and infrastructure. Operating within a fast-paced, service-led environment, the business has built an outstanding reputation within its sector and is entering an exciting new phase of growth. As a result, an opportunity has arisen for an ambitious and commercially minded finance leader to join the organisation in a pivotal Head of Finance position. This is a role that combines leadership, commercial influence, operational excellence and strategic impact whilst giving financial stewardship to a reporting team.
About the role: You'll lead a sizeable finance operation, manage and develop high-performing finance leaders, influence business performance and play a key role in shaping the future direction of a growing and evolving organisation. Reporting directly into senior leadership, you will take ownership of a large and highly visible finance function responsible for delivering outstanding financial support and service across a broad and diverse client portfolio. Leading a team of Finance Managers and their wider teams, you'll create a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement whilst ensuring exceptional levels of service, financial control and stakeholder engagement. This role offers significant exposure across the business and the opportunity to influence both operational and commercial decision-making.
Key responsibilities will include:
- Leading, coaching and developing a team of Finance Managers and their wider teams
- Driving high-quality management accounting and financial reporting delivery
- Creating a culture of accountability, performance and continuous improvement
- Ensuring robust financial controls, governance and compliance frameworks
- Driving process improvement, automation and operational efficiencies
- Supporting commercial initiatives and margin enhancement programmes
- Improving scalability, consistency and standardisation across the finance function
- Contributing to wider business strategy and organisational performance
What you can expect in return:
- Opportunity to shape and influence business strategy
- High levels of autonomy and visibility
- Join a growing and evolving business
- Excellent platform towards Finance Director level progression
- Collaborative and supportive leadership team
- Hybrid working environment
About you: We're keen to speak with qualified accountants (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) who combine strong technical finance capability with exceptional leadership and stakeholder management skills. You'll likely bring:
- Experience leading sizeable finance teams
- Strong management accounting and financial reporting expertise
- Previous exposure to Shared Services, multi-site, multi-client or service-led environments
- Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
- Commercial awareness and business partnering capability
- A passion for developing teams and improving performance
- Experience driving process improvement, automation and operational excellence
Candidates likely operating as Head of Finance, Financial Controller, Finance Operations Manager, Shared Services Finance Manager, Head of Financial Operations or Senior Finance Manager or similar are likely going to be the target for this role. Opportunities combining leadership, influence, commercial exposure and future progression at this level rarely come to market.
Head of Finance in Harrogate employer: Gifford and Partners Recruitment Limited
Join a dynamic and rapidly expanding organisation that prioritises investment in its people and infrastructure, offering an exceptional opportunity for a Head of Finance to lead a sizeable finance operation. With a strong focus on collaboration, continuous improvement, and strategic influence, this role provides high levels of autonomy and visibility, paving the way for significant career progression towards Finance Director. Experience a supportive work culture within a hybrid environment, where your leadership will directly impact business performance and shape the future direction of the company.
Contact Details:
Gifford and Partners Recruitment Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance in Harrogate
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the finance sector! Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
When you’re in interviews, make sure to highlight your experience in leading teams and driving performance. Share specific examples of how you’ve developed high-performing finance teams or improved processes. We want to see that you can inspire and influence others!
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Prepare for those tricky scenario-based questions that test your problem-solving skills. Think about challenges you’ve faced in previous roles and how you tackled them. We love candidates who can think on their feet and demonstrate operational excellence!
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we’re always looking for ambitious finance leaders like you to join our growing team!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance in Harrogate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that match the Head of Finance role. Highlight your leadership experience, financial reporting expertise, and any process improvement initiatives you've led. We want to see how you can bring value to our growing team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share your passion for finance and leadership, and don’t forget to mention how you can contribute to our exciting growth phase. Keep it engaging and personal!
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your past roles, focus on your achievements rather than just responsibilities. Use metrics where possible to demonstrate your impact, like improvements in financial processes or team performance. We love numbers that tell a story!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for this fantastic opportunity. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Gifford and Partners Recruitment Limited
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Head of Finance, you’ll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to the company and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive business decisions in the past.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading finance teams. Think about specific instances where you’ve coached or developed team members, and how that contributed to overall performance and accountability.
✨Understand the Business Landscape
Research the company’s market position and recent developments. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to their growth strategy and improve operational efficiencies, showing that you’re not just a numbers person but a strategic partner.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since stakeholder management is crucial, think of ways you’ve successfully engaged with different departments. Prepare to share how you’ve built relationships and influenced decision-making across various levels of an organisation.
