CFO / Finance Director - ACA / ACCA. Construction / Building Services in Dartford

Construction / Building Services | Private Equity | Turnaround Strategic Finance Leadership. Business Transformation. Operational Impact.

Are you a commercially sharp CFO or experienced Finance Director ready to play a pivotal role in rebuilding, transforming and scaling a Private Equity-backed business? Liftec Express – a leading independent provider of lift and escalator maintenance, repair and modernisation services across the UK – is entering an important phase of performance acceleration, operational transformation and value creation.

We are now seeking a high‑calibre Finance Director with strong construction, engineering or building services experience and a sound understanding of percentage‑of‑completion accounting. This is not a step‑up opportunity or a role for someone who wants to oversee an already polished finance function. We are hiring an experienced finance leader who has previously operated as the number‑one finance person within a business and already has the playbook required to lead change, strengthen controls and help rebuild the financial infrastructure.

You will partner closely with the Managing Director and Private Equity stakeholders to drive financial excellence, improve operational performance and support ambitious long‑term growth. This is a genuinely hands‑on, high‑impact leadership role within a fast‑paced SME. You will operate at board level while remaining close enough to the detail to understand the numbers, challenge processes and support the team in delivering the basics brilliantly.

The Role at a Glance

• Location: Dartford, Kent – Hybrid, with at least three days per week at HQ
• Package: Competitive Base Salary + 15% Annual Bonus Paid Quarterly + Car Allowance, Pension and Extensive Benefits
• Hours: 40 per week: 08:00‑17:00, with one hour for lunch

Company: Pioneer of the British lift industry. Formerly part of OTIS and Private Equity‑backed by R Capital since 2025.

Specialism: Independent provider of lift installation, maintenance, repair and modernisation services.

Culture: Safety Focused | Ethical | Accountable | Quality Driven | Hands‑On

Your Background

Proven experience as a Finance Director, CFO or number‑one finance leader within a turnaround, Private Equity‑backed or high‑change SME.

Core Skills

• ACA or ACCA qualification
• Construction or Engineering Accounting
• Percentage‑of‑Completion Accounting
• Cash and Working Capital Transformation
• Team Leadership

About Liftec Express

Liftec Express is a well‑established and highly‑respected name in the UK lift and escalator services sector. Previously part of OTIS – one of the world’s leading manufacturers and service providers of elevators, escalators and moving walkways – the business is now owned by R Capital. With greater agility as an independent company, Liftec Express is rebuilding its platform and preparing for a significant period of growth.

The business delivers maintenance, repair, installation and modernisation solutions across commercial, residential and public‑sector environments, including prestigious and high‑profile sites. Liftec Express currently retains much of the operational infrastructure of a larger SME, while operating with the agility and resourcefulness of a smaller organisation. The successful Finance Director must therefore be equally comfortable shaping strategy, improving systems and getting personally involved in the detail.

As a Private Equity‑backed organisation, Liftec Express is focused on operational excellence, cash optimisation, cost control and sustainable growth. This is a rare opportunity to join the senior leadership team during a major transformation and value‑creation phase.

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will lead the entire finance function and act as a strategic partner to the MD, senior leadership team and Private Equity owners. You will bring clarity, discipline and commercial insight to the organisation while establishing the controls, reporting and financial infrastructure required to support future growth. This role requires someone who can operate strategically at director and board level while remaining willing to work through the underlying detail. You will not simply manage the finance function; you will strengthen, reshape and modernise it.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic financial leadership to the Managing Director, leadership team and Private Equity stakeholders
• Take full ownership of FP&A, financial control, management reporting, compliance, audit and tax
• Deliver accurate, insightful and timely monthly management accounts
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, scenario planning and long‑term financial planning
• Improve cash flow, working capital, credit control and debt recovery
• Strengthen financial controls, governance, systems and core processes
• Provide robust commercial analysis to support operational and investment decisions
• Develop performance targets and value‑creation initiatives across the business
• Prepare high‑quality board packs and investor reporting
• Manage relationships with Private Equity stakeholders, auditors, banks and external advisors
• Support the business through restructuring, transformation and future growth
• Drive cost reduction, margin improvement and stronger P&L performance
• Lead and develop the finance team, setting high standards while providing the support required for them to succeed
• Explore opportunities to improve efficiency through automation, AI and smarter use of financial technology

About You

You are a commercially astute, technically credible and execution‑focused finance leader who thrives in high‑change, performance‑driven environments. Crucially, you have already operated as a Finance Director, CFO or number‑one finance leader within an entity. This is not a first FD appointment or a conventional career‑progression role. You will arrive with the experience, judgement and confidence to take ownership from the outset.

Qualifications:

• ACA or ACCA qualification
• Significant post‑qualified experience, ideally including 10+ years in progressively senior finance roles
• Previous experience as a Finance Director, CFO, Head of Finance or senior finance leader with full ownership of the function
• Strong knowledge of double‑entry accounting and core financial controls
• Practical experience of construction, engineering, building services or project‑based accounting
• A strong understanding of percentage‑of‑completion accounting, contract accounting and revenue recognition
• Experience operating within a turnaround, restructuring or major business‑transformation environment
• A track record of improving profitability, cash flow and working‑capital performance
• Strong financial modelling, forecasting and performance‑management capability
• Experience of leading and developing a sizeable finance team
• The ability to move confidently between strategic leadership and detailed operational problem‑solving
• Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder‑management skills
• Fluent written and spoken English

A background in lift services is not essential. However, you must have experience in engineering, construction, building services, field services or a similarly project‑led environment.

Your Leadership Style

You will be a visible and credible leader who sets high standards but also gives the team the support, clarity and direction required to deliver:

• Leads from the front
• Takes complete ownership of outcomes
• Is not afraid to challenge, investigate or get into the detail
• Holds themselves and others accountable
• Brings energy and momentum to change
• Is analytical, evidence‑led and commercially curious
• Remains open‑minded, inquisitive and willing to learn
• Operates with honesty, integrity and sound judgement
• Builds trust quickly with operational colleagues, investors and external partners
• Understands that seniority does not remove the need to get the fundamentals right

Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• 15% annual bonus, paid quarterly
• Car allowance
• Pension from day one through Aviva
• 25 days’ holiday plus bank holidays
• Employee Assistance Programme from day one
• Death in Service cover at three times salary
• Discretionary sickness scheme
• Enhanced maternity and paternity provision, subject to service
• Employee discounts platform
• Employee referral scheme
• Role‑dependent incentive scheme

Why Join Liftec Express

Join the senior leadership team of a Private Equity‑backed transformation business. Work directly with the Managing Director and investors. Make a visible impact on cash, profitability, governance and operational performance. Rebuild and modernise a finance function rather than simply maintain one. Shape the systems, controls and team required to support future growth. Introduce smarter automation and new technology across finance. Lead within a respected, engineering‑led services business with a strong market reputation. Play a central role in creating long‑term enterprise value.

Ready to lead the transformation? This opportunity will suit an experienced Finance Director who enjoys fixing, improving and building.