At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and support growth in a dynamic, private equity-backed business.
- Company: Fast-growing contract-led services company with ambitious goals.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous bonus, family healthcare, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Opportunity to build and inspire finance teams in a fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Be a key player in transforming scale into profit and driving impactful change.
- Qualifications: ACA qualified with experience as FD or CFO in a scaling business.
The predicted salary is between 160000 - 200000 £ per year.
You don't want a tidy maintenance role. But are you commercially brave and calm under pressure? Strong enough to stand beside a high-energy CEO as the business grows? This is a business with momentum, ambition, complexity and enough unfinished work to make your fingerprints visible. This is a value-creation CFO role in a private equity-backed, contract-led services business. Revenue has scaled quickly, acquisitions are part of the story, and the next chapter is less about celebrating top-line growth and more about turning scale into sharper margins, stronger cash discipline and better-quality profit.
You'll operate as the CEO's commercial and financial counterweight: rigorous, shrewd, numbers-led and profit-focused. Not the person who says 'no' for sport, but the person who tells the truth early, challenges optimistic trading narratives and makes sure ambition translates into performance. You'll hire to strengthen the finance function to ensure it can properly support the next stage of growth: stronger reporting, better forecasting, tighter controls, cleaner MI, improved treasury and working capital management, and a more accountable rhythm across the business.
What you'll bring
- You're likely to be ACA qualified, with experience as an FD or CFO in a scaling, multi-entity business.
- Private equity, acquisitive growth, contract-led environments or listed company experience would all be relevant.
- You'll be credible at Board level, but not too grand to get close to the detail.
- Possessing strong commercial acumen, you'll know when to challenge, when to support, and when to put structure around entrepreneurial pace without killing it.
- A track record of building and developing finance teams, together with the emotional intelligence to inspire trust, lead through change and get the best from those around you.
What's in it for you
- £160,000 - £200,000, depending on experience
- Car allowance
- Bonus up to 60%
- LTIPs
- Pension, 10% employer contribution
- Family healthcare
- 25 days holiday
- Flexibility to work from home one or two days a week.
Chief Financial Officer in Bristol employer: Natalie Wells Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Natalie Wells Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Financial Officer in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world and let them know you're on the hunt for a CFO role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity that’s not even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your commercial acumen. Be ready to discuss how you've turned scale into sharper margins and improved cash discipline in your previous roles. Show them you’re not just about the numbers, but about creating value!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t shy away from showcasing your leadership skills. Talk about how you’ve built and developed finance teams in the past. Highlight your emotional intelligence and how it helped you inspire trust and lead through change.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply directly 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 with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Financial Officer in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic: When you're writing your application, let your true self shine through. We want to see your personality and how you align with our values. Don't just regurgitate your CV; tell us why you're passionate about this role and what makes you the right fit.
Showcase Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant experience, especially in private equity or contract-led environments. We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate their commercial acumen and ability to drive performance, so share specific examples that showcase your achievements.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t send a generic application! Tailor your cover letter and CV to reflect the key points from the job description. We want to see how your skills and experiences directly relate to the challenges and opportunities we face as a growing business.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Natalie Wells Recruitment
✨Know Your Numbers
As a CFO, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to the business and be ready to discuss how you've improved margins or cash flow in previous roles. Show them you can turn numbers into actionable insights.
✨Show Your Commercial Bravery
This role requires someone who isn't afraid to challenge the status quo. Prepare examples of when you've taken calculated risks or made tough decisions that led to positive outcomes. Highlight your ability to balance ambition with reality.
✨Connect with the CEO's Vision
Understand the CEO's goals and how they align with the company's growth strategy. Be prepared to discuss how you can support their vision while ensuring financial discipline. This shows you're not just a numbers person but a strategic partner.
✨Demonstrate Team Leadership
You'll need to build and develop finance teams, so come armed with examples of how you've inspired trust and led through change. Talk about your approach to mentoring and developing talent, as this will resonate well with their focus on accountability and performance.