Finance Director - PE-Backed Lift Engineering Services in Kent
Finance Director - PE-Backed Lift Engineering Services

Finance Director - PE-Backed Lift Engineering Services in Kent

Kent Full-Time 43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
R

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead finance function and drive strategic growth in a dynamic engineering services environment.
  • Company: Respected engineering services business, backed by Private Equity for rapid growth.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, pension, wellness programme, and family policies.
  • Why this job: Make a direct impact on performance improvement and value creation in a high-stakes role.
  • Qualifications: Qualified accountant with 10 years' experience in PE-backed or turnaround businesses.
  • Other info: Join a fast-paced, evolving environment with strong leadership presence and career growth opportunities.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.

Strategic Finance Leadership. Private Equity Environment. Operational Impact. Are you a commercially sharp Finance Director ready to play a pivotal role in a high-performing, Private Equity-backed engineering services business? We are a leading independent provider of lift and escalator maintenance, repair and modernisation services across the UK – entering an exciting phase of performance acceleration and value creation. We are now seeking a high-calibre Finance Director to partner with the Managing Director and PE stakeholders to drive financial excellence, operational performance, and strategic growth. This is a hands-on, high-impact leadership role within a fast-paced SME environment where your contribution will directly influence business performance and long-term value.

The Role at a Glance:

  • Finance Director - Qualified
  • Dartford, Hybrid
  • Competitive Base Salary
  • 15% Annual Bonus Paid Quarterly Plus Extensive Benefits Package including Car Allowance
  • Core hours 40 per week: 08:00-17:00, with one hour for lunch

Company: Pioneer of the British lift industry. Formally part of global brand Otis - Private Equity-backed by R Capital since 2025. A leasing independent service provider, specialising in the supply, installation, maintenance, repair and modernisation of all types of lift equipment.

Pedigree: Clients include national retail chains/major hospitals, large facilities management providers and MOD sites.

Culture: Safety, Ethics & Quality Focused.

Your Background: Proven experience as a Finance Director, Head of Finance, or senior finance leader in a PE-backed or turnaround business.

Skills: Qualified accountant - ACA, ACCA or CIMA. Team Leadership.

As a Private Equity-backed organisation, we are focused on operational excellence, cash optimisation, and sustainable growth. The business combines technical engineering capability with strong service delivery and long-standing client relationships. This is a rare opportunity to join at senior leadership level during a significant value-creation phase.

Ready for your next adventure? Reporting directly to the Managing Director, the Finance Director will lead the entire finance function and act as a strategic partner to both the MD and Private Equity owners. You will provide strong financial leadership and insight, ensuring rigorous controls and governance while strengthening working capital performance and supporting our growth and transformation strategy. With full ownership of FP&A, financial control, reporting, compliance, audit and tax, you will deliver accurate monthly management accounts and drive budgeting, forecasting and long-term planning. You will help shape business strategy, performance targets and value creation initiatives, maintaining a sharp focus on cash flow, cost control and profitability. The role also includes preparing board and investor reporting, managing relationships with PE stakeholders and external advisors, and leading and developing the finance team to support continued business growth.

About You: You are a commercially astute, execution-focused finance leader who thrives in a performance-driven environment. A qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with ideally a Master’s degree in Finance or Accounting, you bring 10 years’ relevant experience, including proven success as a Finance Director, Head of Finance or senior finance leader. You have operated within PE-backed, turnaround or high-change SME environments, ideally within service, engineering, construction or field-based operations businesses, and bring strong financial modelling and performance management capability with a clear track record of improving profitability and cash flow. Experience with ERP systems such as JD Edwards and exposure to post-merger integration would be advantageous. Strategic yet hands-on, you combine analytical rigour with a strong bias for execution. You are detail-oriented, solutions-focused and comfortable operating in a fast-paced, evolving environment. With strong leadership presence and excellent communication and influencing skills, you build credibility quickly across all levels and lead teams with clarity and impact. Fluent written and spoken English is essential.

Benefits:

  • Access to Discounts Platform
  • Pension (Day 1) - Aviva
  • Holiday – 25 days per year plus bank holidays – holiday year - January to December
  • Wellness (Day 1) - Employee Assistance Programme
  • Death in Service (Day 1) 3 x Salary - Canada Life
  • Sickness Scheme - Discretionary
  • Family Policies - Industry-leading enhanced maternity and paternity provision subject to service
  • Incentive Scheme (depending on role - non-contractual)
  • Employee Referral Scheme
  • Car Allowance

Why Join Us?

  • Senior leadership influence within a PE-backed growth business
  • Direct impact on value creation and performance improvement
  • Strategic partnership role with the Managing Director
  • Opportunity to shape finance, governance and operational excellence
  • Dynamic, engineering-led services environment

If you are an ambitious, commercially driven Finance Director looking for a high-impact leadership opportunity within a respected engineering services business, we would love to hear from you. Apply now to explore this exceptional opportunity in confidence.

Application notice: We take your privacy seriously. When you apply, we shall process your details and pass your application to our client for review for this vacancy only. As you might expect you may be contacted by email, text or telephone. Your data is processed on the basis of our legitimate interests in fulfilling the recruitment process. Please refer to our Data Privacy Policy & Notice on our website for further details. If you have any pre-application questions please contact us first quoting the job title & ref. Good luck, Team RR.

Finance Director - PE-Backed Lift Engineering Services in Kent employer: RecruitmentRevolution.com

Join a pioneering leader in the UK lift and escalator services sector, where as a Finance Director, you will play a crucial role in driving financial excellence and operational performance within a dynamic, Private Equity-backed environment. With a strong focus on employee growth, a competitive benefits package, and a culture that prioritises safety, ethics, and quality, this is an exceptional opportunity to influence strategic growth and value creation while working alongside a talented team in a fast-paced SME setting.
R

Contact Detail:

RecruitmentRevolution.com Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Finance Director - PE-Backed Lift Engineering Services in Kent

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and engineering sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their recent projects and challenges, especially in the private equity space. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in making an impact.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with the role of Finance Director. Highlight your strategic thinking and operational impact, and don’t forget to mention your leadership style and how you can drive financial excellence.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining a dynamic, PE-backed business like ours. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to shape finance and governance in a high-impact role!

We think you need these skills to ace Finance Director - PE-Backed Lift Engineering Services in Kent

Strategic Finance Leadership
Private Equity Experience
Operational Performance Management
Financial Excellence
Team Leadership
Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA)
Financial Modelling
Performance Management
Budgeting and Forecasting
Cash Flow Management
Cost Control
Profitability Improvement
Excellent Communication Skills
Stakeholder Management
Experience with ERP Systems (e.g., JD Edwards)

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Finance Director role. Highlight your experience in PE-backed environments and any relevant achievements that showcase your strategic finance leadership.

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 high-impact role. Mention specific examples of how you've driven financial excellence and operational performance in previous positions.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a Finance Director, you'll need to lead teams effectively. In your application, emphasise your team leadership experience and how you've developed finance functions in fast-paced environments. We want to see your impact!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. This way, we can ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s super easy to do!

How to prepare for a job interview at RecruitmentRevolution.com

✨Know Your Numbers

As a Finance Director, you’ll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to the lift engineering services sector and be ready to discuss how you've improved profitability and cash flow in previous roles.

✨Understand the PE Landscape

Familiarise yourself with the private equity environment, especially how it impacts operational performance and strategic growth. Be prepared to discuss your experience working with PE stakeholders and how you can drive value creation in this context.

✨Showcase Leadership Skills

This role requires strong leadership presence. Think of examples where you've led finance teams through change or transformation. Highlight your ability to build credibility quickly and influence at all levels within an organisation.

✨Prepare for Scenario Questions

Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills in a fast-paced SME environment. Prepare to discuss specific challenges you've faced and how you navigated them, particularly in finance functions like FP&A and compliance.

Finance Director - PE-Backed Lift Engineering Services in Kent
RecruitmentRevolution.com
Location: Kent

Land your dream job quicker with Premium

You’re marked as a top applicant with our partner companies
Individual CV and cover letter feedback including tailoring to specific job roles
Be among the first applications for new jobs with our AI application
1:1 support and career advice from our career coaches
Go Premium

Money-back if you don't land a job in 6-months

>