At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic finance team and drive profitability in a fast-paced retail environment.
- Company: Join a high-growth, private equity-backed retail business with an outstanding culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 20% bonus, car allowance, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Excellent career progression opportunities in a collaborative and ambitious environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on business performance and growth strategies.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with experience in leading finance teams and multi-site operations.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Location: Milton Keynes (Hybrid)
Salary: £100,000 - £110,000 + 20% Bonus + Car Allowance
Sector: Private Equity Backed Retail Business
The Opportunity
We are partnering with a high-growth, private equity-backed retail business to recruit a commercially focused Head of Finance. This is a pivotal leadership position within a dynamic and fast-paced organisation operating across a large multi-site estate.
Reporting into the Finance Director/CFO, the successful candidate will lead a sizeable finance function of approximately 20 people, including both direct and indirect reports, while acting as a key business partner to senior stakeholders across operations, commercial and executive leadership teams.
This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious finance leader looking to join a business with an outstanding culture, ambitious growth plans and significant opportunity to influence performance and value creation.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, develop and inspire a finance team of circa 20 employees, ensuring high performance and strong succession planning.
- Take ownership of financial performance across a large multi-site retail operation.
- Partner closely with operational leaders to drive profitability, margin enhancement and commercial decision making.
- Deliver robust budgeting, forecasting and financial planning processes across multiple business units and locations.
- Provide insightful analysis and recommendations to improve operational efficiency and business performance.
- Drive finance business partnering across operations, commercial, supply chain and support functions.
- Support strategic growth initiatives, including new site openings, acquisitions and integration activities where required.
- Enhance reporting capabilities, KPIs and performance metrics to improve decision making across the business.
- Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders, influencing and challenging where appropriate.
- Ensure robust financial controls, governance and risk management frameworks are maintained.
- Play an active role in supporting the wider leadership team in delivering the business growth strategy.
Candidate Profile
We are seeking an experienced finance leader who combines strong technical capability with exceptional commercial and operational acumen.
Essential Requirements
- Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
- Proven experience leading sizeable finance teams, including direct and indirect management responsibilities.
- Strong multi-site experience gained within retail, consumer, hospitality, leisure or other operationally intensive environments.
- Demonstrable experience partnering with senior operational stakeholders.
- Track record of operating successfully within fast-paced, high-growth businesses.
- Strong commercial mindset with the ability to influence decision making and drive business performance.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Comfortable working within a demanding and evolving environment.
Highly Desirable
- Experience within a private equity-backed business.
- Experience supporting transformational change and business growth programmes.
- Exposure to large-scale operational environments with significant site networks.
What We're Looking For
Successful candidates will be able to clearly demonstrate examples of:
- Adding measurable commercial value through strategic financial insight.
- Driving operational improvements and efficiency gains across multi-site businesses.
- Influencing senior stakeholders and operational leaders to improve business performance.
- Delivering tangible improvements in profitability, margin, cash flow or productivity.
- Building and developing high-performing finance teams.
Package
- £100,000 - £110,000 Base Salary
- 20% Annual Bonus
- Car Allowance
- Competitive Benefits Package
- Hybrid Working
- Excellent Career Progression Opportunities
Why Join?
This is a fantastic opportunity to join a highly successful, private equity-backed retail business with ambitious growth plans, a collaborative culture and a genuine commitment to developing its people. The role offers significant exposure to senior leadership, broad commercial responsibility and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on business performance and value creation.
Head of Finance in Milton Keynes employer: Investigo Limited
As a Credit Controller at our company, you will thrive in a dynamic work environment that prioritises employee growth and development. We offer competitive benefits, a supportive team culture, and opportunities to enhance your skills in credit management while contributing to the financial health of the organisation. Located in a vibrant area, our workplace fosters collaboration and innovation, making it an excellent choice for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance in Milton Keynes
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Investigo Limited. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance in Milton Keynes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Investigo Limited.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Investigo Limited's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Investigo Limited
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Investigo Limited.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Investigo Limited will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Investigo Limited employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
