At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the finance function, managing reporting, controls, and analysis to drive profitable growth.
- Company: Dynamic business with a supportive culture and opportunities for development.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, 25 days annual leave, life assurance, and huge product discounts.
- Why this job: Shape finance strategy and make impactful decisions at board level.
- Qualifications: ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified with experience in leading finance teams.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with genuine influence and career progression opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
This is a career-defining opportunity for a commercially minded finance leader to take full ownership of a growing business's finance function.
Benefits:
- Hybrid working with 3 days per week in the office (minimum)
- 25 days annual leave with an additional off on your Birthday
- Life Assurance
- Huge discount off the product portfolio
About The Role:
The Head of Finance will oversee both statutory and commercial aspects of the finance function, managing financial reporting, controls, forecasting, and analysis while partnering with senior leadership to drive profitable growth. You will lead the finance team, ensuring accuracy and efficiency in reporting, while providing insight that shapes business decisions across Product, Retail, Digital, and Operations.
Reporting functionally to the CFO and operationally to the COO, this role offers genuine influence and visibility at board level. It is ideal for someone who enjoys translating data into actionable commercial insight while maintaining statutory compliance and robust governance.
What this role offers:
- Broad, high-impact role with responsibility for both statutory and commercial finance
- Direct exposure to the CEO/COO and senior leadership team
- Ownership of trading, margin, pricing, forecasting, and statutory reporting
- Opportunity to shape finance strategy, capability, and commercial insight
- Headcount responsibility for a team of 5 people
The successful Head of Finance will have:
- ACA / ACCA / CIMA qualification (or equivalent commercial finance experience)
- Proven experience leading both statutory and commercial finance in consumer, retail, productāled or multiāchannel businesses
- Experience managing and developing a finance team, mentoring staff and building capability
- Advanced financial modelling skills and strong analytical capability
- Confidence providing insight and challenging senior stakeholders constructively
- Comfortable working in a fastāpaced, handsāon SME environment
- Experience with BI tools (Power BI, Looker Studio) and ERP systems desirable
Head of Finance in London employer: Howett Thorpe
Contact Detail:
Howett Thorpe Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice š¤«
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance in London
āØTip 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 opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role thatās perfect for you.
āØTip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your financial modelling skills and analytical capabilities. Be ready to showcase how you've translated data into actionable insights in your previous roles.
āØTip Number 3
Donāt just wait for job postings; proactively reach out to companies you admire. Express your interest in potential finance roles and highlight how your experience aligns with their needs. It shows initiative!
āØTip Number 4
Finally, apply through our website! Weāre always on the lookout for talented individuals like you. Make sure your application stands out by tailoring it to reflect the skills and experiences that match the Head of Finance role.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance in London
Some tips for your application š«”
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Head of Finance role. Highlight your experience in statutory and commercial finance, and donāt forget to showcase your leadership skills. We want to see how you can bring value to our 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 specific examples of how you've driven profitable growth and shaped finance strategy in your previous roles.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role involves translating data into actionable insights, make sure to highlight your advanced financial modelling skills. We love seeing how youāve used analytics to influence business decisions in the past!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. Itās the best way for us to keep track of your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. We canāt wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Howett Thorpe
āØKnow Your Numbers
As a Head of Finance, youāll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key metrics related to trading, margin, and pricing. Be ready to discuss how you've used these insights to drive commercial decisions in your previous roles.
āØShowcase Leadership Skills
This role involves managing a team, so be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully led finance teams in the past. Highlight your mentoring experiences and how you've built capability within your team to ensure they thrive.
āØPrepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Think about challenges you've faced in statutory and commercial finance and how you navigated them. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
āØFamiliarise Yourself with BI Tools
Since experience with BI tools like Power BI or Looker Studio is desirable, make sure you can discuss your familiarity with these systems. If youāve used them to create reports or insights, be ready to explain how they contributed to decision-making in your previous roles.