At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic finance team, driving performance and shaping business strategy.
- Company: Rapidly expanding business with a strong reputation and commitment to growth.
- Benefits: High autonomy, hybrid working, and a clear path to Finance Director roles.
- Other info: Join a supportive team focused on continuous improvement and operational excellence.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a pivotal role with significant exposure and influence.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with leadership experience and strong 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.
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.
For a confidential discussion regarding this opportunity, please contact David Gifford at Gifford & Partners/Executive GAP for immediate shortlisting.
Head of Finance in Harrogate employer: Gifford and Partners Recruitment
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 a clear pathway to Finance Director level progression.
Contact Details:
Gifford and Partners Recruitment Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance in Harrogate
✨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
Showcase your leadership skills during interviews. Be ready to discuss how you've developed high-performing teams and driven process improvements in your previous roles. This is key for a Head of Finance position where influence and operational excellence are crucial.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
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 align with the Head of Finance role. Highlight your leadership experience, financial reporting expertise, and any process improvement initiatives you've led.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share your passion for finance and how your background in managing sizeable teams can contribute to our exciting growth phase.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use quantifiable results to demonstrate how you’ve driven performance improvements or enhanced financial processes in previous roles.
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’re considered for this fantastic opportunity to shape our finance function.
How to prepare for a job interview at Gifford and Partners Recruitment
✨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 them to drive business performance 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 a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
✨Understand the Business Landscape
Research the company’s sector and its current challenges. Be prepared to discuss how your commercial awareness can help shape their strategy and influence operational decision-making.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since stakeholder management is crucial, think of ways to illustrate your communication skills. Prepare to share experiences where you successfully engaged with various stakeholders to achieve financial goals or improve processes.
