Head of Finance, UK in Melksham

At NOVENCO Building & Industry, we combine Danish engineering excellence with innovative solutions that make buildings safer, more energy efficient, and environmentally responsible. In the UK, we specialise in designing, installing, and testing life safety smoke ventilation systems and delivering energy-saving airflow solutions across a wide range of facilities. As our UK business grows, we are strengthening our leadership team with a commercially driven Head of Finance.

We are looking for a proactive and commercially minded finance professional to join our UK leadership team in Bowerhill. As Head of Finance, UK, you will act as the trusted financial partner to the UK Managing Director and leadership team. You will drive financial performance, support decision-making, and strengthen financial discipline across the business. All accounting and bookkeeping processes are managed centrally by our finance team at headquarters in Denmark. You will work closely with the Group finance function, focusing on business partnering, financial planning, and performance management in the UK. This is a standalone finance role in the UK with no direct reports, requiring autonomy and a strong business partnering mindset. In addition to your finance responsibilities, you will support selected HR and operational activities, contributing to the continued development and structure of the UK organization.

Your Impact

• Act as the finance partner to the UK Managing Director and leadership team
• Deliver monthly performance reporting to the UK MD and Group HQ
• Perform P&L variance analysis (Actual vs Budget / Last Year)
• Implement and drive forecasting processes, including order intake, SG&A projections, and annual budgeting
• Provide financial insight, challenge, and recommendations to improve business performance
• Implement and lead monthly project reviews with Project Managers
• Manage project budgets, cost control, and financial closing
• Ensure strong financial discipline across projects and operations
• Review customer contracts, including JCT contracts, purchase orders and other contractual agreements, identifying and communicating financial, commercial and contractual risks prior to project acceptance.
• Work closely with the UK Managing Director, Sales and Project Management teams to ensure contractual obligations, payment terms, variations, retention provisions and commercial risks are fully understood before commitments are made.
• Ensure Project Managers understand and comply with contractual financial requirements, including change control, valuation of variations, milestone billing, notices, payment applications and project documentation.
• Monitor project financial performance against contractual terms, ensuring risks are identified early and appropriate mitigating actions are implemented.
• Support commercial decision-making throughout the project lifecycle to maximise profitability while maintaining contractual compliance.
• Promote strong financial governance and commercial discipline across all projects and operations.
• Collaborate closely with the finance team in Denmark to ensure accurate and timely reporting
• Oversee payroll, VAT, and statutory reporting
• Act as key liaison with external auditors, accountants, and insurers
• Act as local point of contact for HR-related processes and compliance
• Oversee time and absence registration and HR administration
• Support office operations and future UK expansion initiatives
• Contribute to process improvements

What Drives Success

You are a commercially focused finance professional who thrives in a business-facing role and enjoys working close to operations.

Qualifications & Experience

• Qualified or part-qualified (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
• Experience in an engineering, construction, or project-based environment
• Strong understanding of project accounting, WIP, and cost control
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with ERP systems (IFS knowledge a plus)

Key competencies

• Strong commercial mindset – able to translate data into actionable insights
• Confident communicator across local and international stakeholders
• Comfortable operating in a standalone role with high autonomy
• Hands-on and adaptable, able to balance strategic and operational responsibilities

What we offer

• A key role in the UK leadership team with high visibility and impact
• Opportunity to influence and shape the UK business
• Close collaboration with an international Group finance function in Denmark
• Competitive salary and benefits package, including:
• Car allowance
• 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays
• Healthcare scheme (after qualifying period)
• Life Assurance and Critical Illness cover
• Pension and Cycle to Work scheme
• Company mobile phone and laptop
• Professional development opportunities through NOVENCollege

How to apply

Please submit your CV via our careers page. Applications will be reviewed on receipt and interviews scheduled on a rolling basis. NOVENCO Building & Industry UK Ltd is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all backgrounds.