At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial planning and drive commercial performance in a dynamic hospitality environment.
- Company: Join a market-leading workplace hospitality business with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, pension scheme, healthcare benefits, and exclusive discounts.
- Other info: Be part of an ambitious team that values diversity and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on strategic decisions and major transformation projects.
- Qualifications: ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified with strong management accounting experience.
The predicted salary is between 67000 - 67000 £ per year.
Finance Lead
We're looking for an experienced Finance Lead to join our Workplace Hospitality business, supporting a diverse, multi-site corporate portfolio across the UK and Ireland.
This is a commercially focused leadership role where you'll partner with senior operational stakeholders to drive financial performance, influence strategic decisions and lead a high-performing finance team.
Managing a complex portfolio that includes workplace dining, hospitality, vending and major transformation projects, you'll play a key role in turning financial insight into commercial action.
From budgeting and forecasting to business cases and investment appraisals, you'll help shape the future of a high-profile account during an exciting period of growth and change.
- What you'll be doing
- Lead all aspects of financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and month-end reporting.
- Partner with operational leaders to provide commercial insight and support strategic decision-making.
- Identify financial risks and opportunities, delivering clear recommendations to senior stakeholders.
- Develop business cases for investment, mobilisation, tenders and commercial initiatives.
- Drive working capital performance, financial controls and balance sheet management.
- Monitor performance improvement initiatives and challenge delivery where required.
- Lead, coach and develop the finance team while collaborating across regional and global business functions.
About you
You'll be a commercially minded finance professional with a passion for business partnering and leading teams in a fast-paced operational environment.
You'll have
- ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualification (or equivalent experience).
- Strong management accounting, budgeting and forecasting experience.
- A proven track record of influencing senior stakeholders and driving commercial performance.
- Excellent analytical, communication and leadership skills.
- Experience managing or developing finance teams.
- Advanced Excel skills and confidence working with financial reporting systems.
Experience within hospitality, catering, facilities management, retail or another multi-site operational business would be highly advantageous.
Why join us?
This is an exciting opportunity to join a market-leading workplace hospitality business supporting a prestigious national portfolio.
You'll have genuine influence over commercial strategy, work on major transformation projects and be part of an ambitious, collaborative leadership team where your expertise will make a real impact.
We ensure you're rewarded for all your hard work, which is why we offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes but is not limited to:
- Contributory pension scheme
- Grow your career with our Career Pathways and My Learning programmes
- Quick access for you and your immediate family to a Digital GP, and wider healthcare benefits
- Exclusive travel discounts with TUI, Expedia, Booking. com and many more
- Save money on your food shop with discounts on Tesco, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and many more
- Up to 44% off cinema tickets to enjoy your favourite blockbuster
- Receive cash rewards every time you spend and use them on a wide range of brands
- Un-wind with us with free wellness, mindfulness and exercise classes
- You can share all discounts and offers with your friends and families
About Us
Restaurant Associates provides brilliant hospitality through our food, drink and services.
We work with our partners and collaborate with our clients to achieve great things together.
Every day, our teams of passionate hospitality professionals strive for excellence in delivering employee dining and hospitality to some of the UK's leading workplace as well as inspiring exceptional experiences in iconic cultural and heritage destinations.
Compass Group UK&I is committed to fostering an environment where every individual can truly be themselves at work and has equal opportunities to advance in their careers.
We strive to build a culture that respects and celebrates the unique talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and abilities of all our team members.
We want our colleagues to feel valued, empowered to reach their full potential, and to thrive - because diversity is our strength!
UK Finance Lead in London employer: Restaurant Associates
Restaurant Associates is an exceptional employer in the Greater London area, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises high standards of customer care and cleanliness. With a commitment to employee growth, you will find ample opportunities for career progression while working in a dynamic environment that values teamwork and dedication.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land UK Finance Lead in London
✨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 Restaurant Associates. 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 UK Finance Lead in London
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 Restaurant Associates.
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 Restaurant Associates'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 Restaurant Associates
✨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 Restaurant Associates.
✨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 Restaurant Associates 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 Restaurant Associates 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.
