At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance operations and make impactful decisions in a growing retail brand.
- Company: Join a prestigious British heritage menswear brand in the heart of London.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous staff discounts, holidays, and pension.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a dynamic, multi-channel environment.
- Why this job: Be the first finance hire and shape the future of a storied brand.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with hands-on experience in finance and retail.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 70000 £ per year.
A Head of Finance is required for a British heritage brand, based in the heart of London. Reporting directly to the CEO, this is a broad, hands-on finance leadership role with full ownership of the day-to-day finance function across a growing multi-channel retail and e-commerce business coming in as their first finance hire.
This is a sole charge position with external support with the review to grow as the function develops, this is a role for someone who likes to run a well-controlled finance function and who wants their work to be visible and impactful from day one.
Responsibilities include:
- Owning the full month-end close in Xero, producing a clear management reporting pack including P&L, gross margin analysis, cashflow, variances and commentary against budget and prior year.
- Managing AP, AR, payroll, VAT, banking and statutory filing processes end to end, working with external accountants and payroll providers as required.
- Owning a rolling cashflow model and running a regular, organised supplier payment process with clear visibility.
- Acting as a practical finance partner to department heads across Buying & Merchandising, Retail, E-commerce, Marketing and Operations — walking them through their P&Ls in plain English.
- Maintaining clean reporting across stores and channels so trading performance is visible and comparable.
- Working closely with Buying & Merchandising to review intake margin, realised margin, markdowns and stock performance across the buying calendar.
- Owning the balance sheet as actively as the P&L, ensuring all key control accounts are reconciled monthly and issues resolved promptly.
- Managing the relationship with external accountants on statutory accounts, corporation tax and year-end.
- Owning the finance systems and data flow across key retail and e-commerce platforms, using automation and AI tools to improve efficiency and scalability.
- Keeping the CEO informed on cashflow, trading performance, risks and key decisions.
Skill set required:
- The successful candidate will be a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) or qualified by experience.
- You will be confident in Xero and strong in Excel, with solid month-end, management accounts, cashflow and balance sheet experience.
- You must be genuinely hands-on, highly self-managing and comfortable presenting financial performance clearly to non-finance colleagues.
- A practical interest in automation, AI and systems improvement is important.
- Experience in multi-channel retail, fashion, luxury or premium consumer brands is highly desirable, as is familiarity with retail ERP and e-commerce platforms.
- Experience in an owner-managed, scaling or turnaround environment will be a distinct advantage.
Benefits include a generous staff discount across the brand's collections, holidays, pension. This is a rare opportunity to make a real mark as the first dedicated finance hire in a distinctive and storied British brand.
Head of Finance employer: JasperRose
Join a prestigious British heritage menswear brand as the Head of Finance, where you will play a pivotal role in shaping the finance function from the ground up. Located in the vibrant heart of London, this position offers a unique opportunity to work closely with the CEO and various departments, ensuring your contributions are both visible and impactful. Enjoy a supportive work culture that values employee growth, alongside benefits such as generous staff discounts, holidays, and a pension scheme, making it an excellent place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those in retail or e-commerce. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common finance questions and scenarios. We recommend using real-life examples from your experience to showcase your skills, especially around cashflow management and P&L analysis.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to research the company culture! Understanding the brand's values and how they operate will help you tailor your approach and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Head of Finance role. Highlight your qualifications, especially if you're ACA, ACCA, or CIMA certified, and showcase your hands-on finance experience in multi-channel retail.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Mention your practical interest in automation and AI, and how you can bring value to our finance function from day one.
Showcase Your Financial Acumen:In your application, be sure to demonstrate your confidence in using Xero and Excel. Provide examples of how you've managed month-end processes, cashflow, and balance sheets in previous roles to show us you mean business!
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 about the hiring process!
How to prepare for a job interview at JasperRose
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Head of Finance, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key metrics like P&L, cashflow, and balance sheets. Be ready to discuss how you've managed these in previous roles, especially in a retail or e-commerce context.
✨Showcase Your Hands-On Approach
This role is all about being hands-on, so share specific examples of when you've taken charge of finance functions. Talk about your experience with Xero and Excel, and how you've improved processes or reporting in past positions.
✨Communicate Clearly
You'll be working closely with non-finance colleagues, so practice explaining complex financial concepts in simple terms. Prepare to give examples of how you've successfully partnered with other departments, making their financial data accessible and actionable.
✨Emphasise Your Interest in Innovation
The job mentions a focus on automation and AI tools. Be prepared to discuss any relevant experience you have with these technologies. Share ideas on how you could implement them to improve efficiency in the finance function at this brand.
