Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and governance for a fast-growing retail business.
- Company: Well-established retail brand with a loyal customer base and multi-channel presence.
- Benefits: Competitive executive remuneration and significant influence over strategy.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a high-profile retail business and drive sustainable growth.
- Qualifications: Proven CFO experience in large-scale retail, ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualification preferred.
- Other info: Opportunity to build a best-in-class finance function and lead a talented team.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 ÂŁ per year.
We are working with a well-established, fast-moving retail business with a strong brand, loyal customer base, and a growing multi-channel footprint across physical and digital. The business operates at meaningful scale, with complex supply chain, inventory, and margin dynamics, and is at an inflection point in its growth journey. Backed by an ambitious Board and leadership team, the company is focused on driving sustainable growth, operational excellence, and long-term value creation. Finance plays a central role in shaping that agenda.
The Role
We are seeking a commercial, strategic Chief Financial Officer to join the executive team. This is a true CFO role, with full ownership of the finance function and a material voice in shaping the direction of the business. Reporting to the CEO and working closely with the Board and shareholders, the CFO will be responsible for financial leadership, governance, performance management, and capital stewardship, acting as both a strategic partner and a rigorous steward of value.
Key Responsibilities
- Financial Leadership & Strategy
- Lead the financial strategy of the business, aligned to long‑term growth and value creation
- Translate commercial objectives into clear financial plans and capital allocation priorities
- Act as a strategic advisor to the CEO and Board on performance, risk, and major decisions
- Provide independent challenge, insight, and judgement at Executive and Board level
- Performance Management & Insight
- Own the annual budget, rolling forecast, and long‑range planning processes
- Deliver clear, insightful reporting on trading performance, margins, cash, and working capital
- Identify trends, risks, and opportunities, turning data into actionable insight
- Ensure financial information supports fast, high‑quality decision‑making
- Retail & Commercial Finance
- Oversee all aspects of retail finance including margin management, pricing, promotions, and cost control
- Lead financial oversight of inventory, stock valuation, shrinkage, and markdown exposure
- Partner closely with Trading, Buying, Supply Chain, and Operations teams
- Support expansion activity, new store openings, and channel optimisation
- Cash, Balance Sheet & Capital Stewardship
- Maintain full ownership of cash flow, working capital, and balance sheet discipline
- Lead banking relationships, financing structures, and covenant management
- Oversee tax strategy, treasury, and financial risk management
- Ensure appropriate capital allocation across growth, maintenance, and returns
- Governance, Controls & Risk
- Ensure robust financial controls, compliance, and governance across the business
- Lead statutory reporting, audits, and regulatory requirements
- Own risk management frameworks, including operational and financial risk
- Maintain strong relationships with auditors, advisors, and external stakeholders
- Team Leadership & Functional Excellence
- Lead and develop a high‑calibre finance leadership team across FP&A, Commercial Finance, Accounting, Tax, and Treasury
- Build a scalable, best‑in‑class finance function capable of supporting growth
- Drive improvements in systems, data quality, and financial processes
- Foster a culture of accountability, commercial thinking, and continuous improvement
- Board, Shareholder & External Stakeholders
- Act as a key Board member, contributing to strategic discussions and decision‑making
- Lead Board and Committee reporting with clarity and credibility
- Partner with shareholders and lenders on strategy, performance, and value creation
- Represent the business externally with professionalism and authority
Ideal Candidate Profile
- Experience
- Proven experience as a CFO or Finance Director in a large‑scale retail or consumer business
- Strong track record operating in complex, multi‑channel environments
- Demonstrable leadership through periods of change, growth, or transformation
- Comfortable balancing strategic thinking with operational rigour
- Technical & Commercial Expertise
- Deep understanding of retail economics: margin, stock, working capital, and cash
- Strong financial control, reporting, and governance credentials
- Commercially astute, with the ability to influence trading and operational decisions
- Experience managing banking relationships and external advisors
- Leadership & Personal Attributes
- Clear, confident communicator able to challenge and influence at the highest level
- Commercial, pragmatic, and outcomes‑focused
- Calm under pressure, decisive, and resilient
- Values‑led leader with a collaborative and high‑standards mindset
- Qualifications
- ACA / ACCA / CIMA (or equivalent) qualification strongly preferred
- Relevant academic background in Finance, Accounting, or Business
What’s on Offer
- Board‑level CFO role in a substantial, high‑profile retail business
- Significant influence over strategy and long‑term value creation
- Opportunity to lead and shape a best‑in‑class finance function
- Competitive executive remuneration and long‑term incentive structure
Chief Financial Officer in London employer: JSS Search
Contact Detail:
JSS Search Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Financial Officer in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the retail and finance sectors. Attend industry events or webinars where you can meet potential employers or colleagues. Remember, sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that CFO role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your financial strategy knowledge. Be ready to discuss how you would lead financial performance management and capital stewardship. Show them you’re not just a numbers person, but a strategic partner who can drive growth and value creation.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of a strong personal brand. Update your LinkedIn profile to reflect your achievements and expertise in retail finance. Share insights or articles related to financial leadership and governance to position yourself as a thought leader in the field.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got a range of exciting opportunities, and applying directly can give you an edge. Make sure to tailor your application to highlight your experience in complex, multi-channel environments and your ability to influence at the highest level.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Financial Officer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of CFO. Highlight your experience in financial leadership and strategy, especially in retail or consumer businesses. We want to see how you've driven growth and value creation in your previous roles.
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 CFO position. Share specific examples of how you've influenced strategic decisions and managed complex financial environments. Let us know what excites you about this opportunity!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a CFO, you'll be leading a high-calibre finance team. Make sure to highlight your leadership experience and how you've developed teams in the past. We want to see your ability to foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at JSS Search
✨Know Your Numbers
As a CFO, you'll need to demonstrate a deep understanding of financial metrics and retail economics. Brush up on key figures like margins, cash flow, and working capital before the interview. Be ready to discuss how you've used these metrics to drive strategic decisions in your previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset
This role requires a balance of strategic thinking and operational rigour. Prepare examples that highlight your experience in shaping financial strategies aligned with long-term growth. Think about times when you acted as a strategic advisor to the CEO or Board and how your insights influenced major decisions.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
The ideal candidate will lead a high-calibre finance team, so be prepared to discuss your leadership style. Share specific instances where you've developed teams or driven improvements in financial processes. Highlight your ability to foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
✨Prepare for Governance and Risk Questions
Given the importance of governance and risk management in this role, anticipate questions around your experience with financial controls and compliance. Be ready to discuss how you've managed risks in previous positions and how you ensure robust financial governance within an organisation.
