At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the UK Finance function and drive financial performance across multiple sites.
- Company: Join a globally recognised leisure and retail business with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, and significant career development opportunities.
- Other info: Gain exposure to international stakeholders and influence within a growing organisation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on business strategy and performance in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified Accountant with strong analytical skills and leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 90000 £ per year.
Morgan McKinley is exclusively partnering with a market-leading international leisure and retail business to recruit a UK Head of Finance. This is a highly visible leadership role where you will partner with senior operational stakeholders to drive commercial performance, financial control, and strategic decision-making across a multi-site UK operation.
Reporting to the International Finance Director, you will lead the UK Finance function and play a key role in driving financial performance across a network of customer-facing locations. This position offers a unique blend of financial accounting, FP&A, operational finance, and business partnering within a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
Responsibilities for the UK Head of Finance will include:
- Analysing site and country performance across revenue, labour, utilisation, margins, and key operational metrics, providing actionable insights to improve profitability and performance.
- Partnering with senior operational leaders to achieve and exceed financial targets while strengthening financial understanding across front-line and management teams.
- Leading monthly and quarterly financial reporting under IFRS and supporting group reporting requirements.
- Overseeing the day-to-day finance operations, including general ledger activity, balance sheet reconciliations, VAT returns, accounts receivable, accounts payable, inventory, and payroll oversight.
- Leading annual budgeting, forecasting, and performance management processes.
- Driving a robust financial control environment and ensuring the accuracy of financial and operational data across business systems.
We are looking for a candidate with the following profile:
- Qualified Accountant with strong post-qualification experience.
- Previous experience within a multi-site retail, hospitality, leisure, consumer, or operationally focused environment would be beneficial.
- Strong technical accounting knowledge, including IFRS reporting experience.
- Experience operating within an international or multinational organisation.
- Strong analytical and financial modelling skills, with the ability to translate data into meaningful commercial insights.
- Leadership experience with a track record of developing high-performing teams.
- Experience of ERP systems and finance process improvement initiatives.
Company: Our client is a globally recognised consumer-facing business with operations spanning multiple international markets. Combining innovation, customer experience, and operational excellence, the organisation has established itself as a leader within its sector and continues to invest in growth across its international footprint. The business offers a collaborative and entrepreneurial culture where finance plays a critical role in driving performance and supporting strategic decision-making. This is an outstanding opportunity for an ambitious finance leader seeking broad exposure and genuine influence within a growing international organisation.
Salary & Benefits: £80,000 - £90,000, plus bonus and benefits. In addition, the successful candidate will benefit from significant exposure to international stakeholders and global finance leadership, a broad leadership role spanning financial accounting, FP&A, business partnering, and operational finance, a highly visible position with genuine influence over business performance and strategy, and career development opportunities within a growing international organisation.
Location: Milton Keynes
UK Head of Finance - Morgan McKinley in Milton Keynes employer: Morgan McKinley
Morgan McKinley is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and collaborative work culture that empowers finance professionals to make a significant impact within a leading international leisure and retail business. With a focus on employee growth, the company provides extensive career development opportunities and exposure to global finance leadership, making it an ideal environment for ambitious individuals looking to thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth setting in Milton Keynes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land UK Head of Finance - Morgan McKinley in Milton Keynes
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the finance sector! Attend industry events, join relevant LinkedIn groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to professionals at companies you admire. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Ace the Informational Interview
Set up informal chats with finance leaders or hiring managers to learn more about their experiences and the company culture. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gather insights that can give you an edge in interviews. Plus, it’s a great way to build relationships!
✨Showcase Your Skills
When you get the chance to meet potential employers, make sure to highlight your analytical and financial modelling skills. Bring examples of how you've driven performance improvements in previous roles. This will help you stand out as a candidate who can deliver real value.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to check out our website for the latest job openings! Applying directly through us can sometimes give you a better chance of being noticed. Plus, we’re always looking for talented individuals who can contribute to our collaborative culture.
We think you need these skills to ace UK Head of Finance - Morgan McKinley in Milton Keynes
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the UK Head of Finance role. Highlight your experience in financial accounting, FP&A, and any leadership roles you've held. We want to see how your background aligns with the responsibilities listed in the job description.
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 position. Mention specific examples of how you've driven financial performance or improved processes in previous roles. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role involves analysing performance metrics, make sure to showcase your analytical skills in your application. Include examples of how you've used data to drive decisions and improve profitability. We’re all about those actionable insights!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love to see candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Morgan McKinley
✨Know Your Numbers
As a candidate for the UK Head of Finance role, it's crucial to be well-versed in financial metrics and performance indicators. Brush up on key figures related to revenue, margins, and operational metrics that are relevant to the leisure and retail sectors. This will not only show your expertise but also demonstrate your ability to provide actionable insights.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership experience, so be prepared to discuss your past experiences in developing high-performing teams. Share specific examples of how you've partnered with senior operational leaders to drive financial performance and foster a culture of financial understanding within teams.
✨Understand IFRS Reporting
Since the position involves leading monthly and quarterly financial reporting under IFRS, make sure you have a solid grasp of these standards. Be ready to discuss your experience with IFRS reporting and how you've ensured accuracy in financial data across business systems in previous roles.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your analytical and financial modelling skills. Think about how you would approach analysing site performance or driving financial control in a multi-site operation. Practising these scenarios will help you articulate your thought process and decision-making strategies effectively.
