At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance operations, drive performance, and influence strategic decisions across our nationwide service areas.
- Company: Join Moto, the UK's leading motorway services operator with a focus on growth and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, performance bonuses, private medical insurance, and generous leave.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and to lead a high-performing finance team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while shaping the future of a major business.
- Qualifications: Must have senior finance leadership experience and strong commercial acumen.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Hybrid – 2 days per week at Toddington Head Office + regular travel across our UK estate. At Moto, we're proud to be the UK's leading motorway services operator, welcoming millions of customers every year across a nationwide network of service areas. As we continue to invest in our sites, people and future growth, we're looking for an exceptional Head of Operations Finance to join our Finance Leadership Team.
This is a highly visible, strategic role where you'll partner directly with senior operational leaders, helping shape business decisions, drive operational performance and influence the future direction of the business.
What we offer:
- Up to 25% annual company performance related bonus
- Car allowance
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Private medical insurance
- Contributory pension scheme
- Family discount scheme across Moto sites
The role
As Head of Operations Finance, you'll be the trusted financial partner to our Operations teams, providing commercial insight, challenge and support across a large, complex, multi-site estate. You'll lead a high-performing finance team while driving the financial performance agenda, ensuring robust controls, accurate forecasting and meaningful reporting that helps operational leaders make informed decisions. This role offers a unique blend of strategic leadership, commercial business partnering and operational finance, making it ideal for an experienced finance leader who enjoys influencing at executive level while remaining close to the operational heartbeat of the business.
What you’ll be doing:
- Leading the Operations Finance function, providing strategic financial leadership across our nationwide estate.
- Partnering with senior operational stakeholders to influence decision-making through insightful financial analysis and commercial challenge.
- Owning the budgeting, forecasting and long-term planning processes for Operations.
- Delivering meaningful performance reporting that identifies opportunities to improve revenue, margin and labour productivity.
- Driving cost optimisation initiatives across labour, utilities, direct materials and overheads.
- Partnering with Operations to improve energy, utilities and ESG cost performance.
- Managing the Finance relationship with Dayforce workforce planning systems.
- Developing KPIs that support operational excellence and productivity improvements.
- Providing financial modelling and commercial evaluation for capital investment, strategic projects and business initiatives.
- Ensuring strong financial controls, governance and compliance across operational activities.
- Leading continuous improvement initiatives across finance processes, systems and reporting.
- Developing, coaching and inspiring a high-performing finance team.
- Collaborating with Finance, Operations, Property, Commercial and People teams to support wider business transformation.
What we're looking for:
We're looking for a commercially minded finance leader who can combine strategic thinking with strong operational understanding. You'll be comfortable operating in a fast-paced, customer-facing environment and have a track record of building influential relationships with senior stakeholders. You'll also have:
- ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent qualification.
- Significant senior finance leadership experience within a multi-site business.
- Strong business partnering experience with operational leadership teams.
- Excellent commercial acumen and the ability to turn data into actionable business insight.
- Experience leading budgeting, forecasting and strategic planning processes.
- Exceptional stakeholder management and influencing skills.
- Proven experience leading and developing successful finance teams.
- Strong financial modelling, analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
- Experience within hospitality, retail, travel, leisure or other service-led organisations would be highly advantageous.
Why Moto?
At Moto, we're on a journey of continuous growth and transformation. This is an opportunity to join a business where your expertise will directly influence operational performance across one of the UK's biggest motorway service area businesses.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance – Operations in Dunstable
✨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 Moto. 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 – Operations in Dunstable
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 Moto.
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 Moto'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 Moto
✨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 Moto.
✨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 Moto 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 Moto 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.
