Head of Finance in York

Head of Finance in York

York Full-Time 70000 - 90000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Gifford and Partners Recruitment Limited

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 working, 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 leadership and financial expertise.

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.

  • 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.

For a confidential discussion regarding this opportunity, please contact David Gifford at Gifford & Partners/Executive GAP for immediate shortlisting.

Head of Finance in York employer: Gifford and Partners Recruitment Limited

Join a dynamic and rapidly expanding organisation that prioritises investment in its people and infrastructure, offering an exceptional work culture characterised by collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. As the Head of Finance, you will not only lead a high-performing team but also play a pivotal role in shaping business strategy and driving operational excellence, all within a supportive environment that fosters professional growth and offers clear pathways to senior leadership roles. With a hybrid working model and significant exposure across the business, this is a unique opportunity for ambitious finance leaders seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.

Gifford and Partners Recruitment Limited

Contact Details:

Gifford and Partners Recruitment Limited Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Finance in York

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector and let them know you're on the lookout for new opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a Head of Finance role that’s not even advertised yet.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for those interviews by researching the company thoroughly. Understand their financial operations, recent news, and growth strategies. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you’re genuinely interested in shaping their future direction.

Tip Number 3

Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your enthusiasm for the role. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your professionalism.

Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! We’ve got some fantastic opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, it’s super easy to navigate and keeps everything in one place.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance in York

Leadership
Commercial Awareness
Operational Excellence
Financial Stewardship
Management Accounting
Financial Reporting
Stakeholder Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant financial achievements to show us you're the right fit for this pivotal role.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about this opportunity and how your background aligns with our needs. Be sure to mention your experience in driving process improvements and managing finance teams.

Showcase Your Leadership Style:In your application, give us a glimpse of your leadership style. We want to know how you develop high-performing teams and create a culture of accountability. Share examples that demonstrate your ability to influence business performance.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative!

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 Your Leadership Style

This role involves leading a sizeable finance team, so be prepared to talk about your leadership approach. Share specific examples of how you've developed teams, fostered collaboration, and driven performance improvements.

Understand the Business Landscape

Research the company’s industry and competitors. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their growth strategy and operational excellence, especially in a fast-paced, service-led environment.

Prepare for Scenario Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to drive process improvements. Think of scenarios where you've successfully implemented change or enhanced financial controls, and be ready to share those stories.