Head of Client Finance – PBSA / Real Estate – Harrogate
Head of Client Finance – PBSA / Real Estate – Harrogate

Head of Client Finance – PBSA / Real Estate – Harrogate

Harrogate Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Simon Lincoln Recruitment Services

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead finance operations and manage a high-performing team in a dynamic environment.
  • Company: Join a forward-thinking company in the real estate sector based in Harrogate.
  • Benefits: Negotiable salary, career development opportunities, and a supportive work culture.
  • Other info: Opportunity to work in a fast-paced, multi-entity environment with excellent growth potential.
  • Why this job: Make a significant impact on financial performance and drive continuous improvement.
  • Qualifications: Qualified Accountant with strong leadership and financial management experience.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

Location: Harrogate

Job Type: Permanent

Hours: 40 hours per week

Salary: Salary negotiable

Overview

We are recruiting for a Head of Client Finance to lead and scale finance operations within a service-led, multi-entity environment. This is a senior leadership role with full responsibility for driving performance, strengthening financial controls, and delivering consistent, high-quality reporting across the business. Reporting to the Finance Director, you will lead a team of Finance Managers, setting clear direction, embedding accountability, and ensuring delivery against key financial and operational objectives. You will play a critical role in aligning finance operations with wider commercial strategy, improving efficiency, and enhancing overall business performance. This position requires a confident, commercially focused leader who can operate at pace, influence stakeholders, and build a high-performing team capable of delivering accuracy, consistency, and continuous improvement.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

  • Lead and manage Finance Managers, setting objectives, KPIs, and development plans
  • Ensure accurate and timely delivery of management accounts, reconciliations, cashflow forecasts, and reporting outputs
  • Drive a high-performance culture focused on accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
  • Coach and develop team members to enhance capability and progression
  • Maintain quality, consistency, and compliance across all reporting prior to escalation
  • Embed strong financial controls, processes, and governance across the function
  • Act as the first escalation point for operational finance matters
  • Ensure adherence to reporting deadlines and accountability for delivery
  • Plan and allocate workload effectively across the team
  • Oversee compliance requirements including Client Money, VAT, and audit readiness
  • Work cross-functionally to improve processes and service delivery
  • Contribute to wider business strategy and continuous improvement initiatives
  • Deputise for the Finance Director where required
  • Support commercial performance and margin improvement initiatives
  • Drive standardisation of processes across the department and wider business
  • Use data, reporting, and feedback to improve departmental effectiveness
  • Identify efficiencies through process improvement and automation
  • Ensure scalable, compliant processes supported by clear procedures
  • Build strong, trusted relationships across stakeholders
  • Provide clear reporting on departmental performance and progress

Skills & Experience

  • Proven experience in a senior finance role within a B2B environment
  • Strong leadership experience managing and developing teams
  • Excellent knowledge of management accounts and financial controls
  • Confident communicator able to present complex data clearly
  • Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
  • Strong problem-solving and decision-making capability
  • Experience coaching and developing finance professionals
  • High attention to detail with a process-driven mindset
  • Strong organisational and project management skills
  • Adaptable, resilient, and results-driven

Qualifications

  • Qualified Accountant (ACCA, ACA, CIMA or QBE)
  • Strong experience in management accounts and financial reporting
  • Experience operating in service-led or multi-entity environments such as PBSA, real estate, or similar
  • Experience working with corporate environments across varied business types
  • Confident user of finance systems and reporting tools

Head of Client Finance – PBSA / Real Estate – Harrogate employer: Simon Lincoln Recruitment Services

As an employer, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture in Harrogate, where innovation and collaboration thrive. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through tailored development plans and a focus on continuous improvement, ensuring that our team members are equipped to excel in their roles. With competitive salaries and a supportive environment, we offer a unique opportunity for finance professionals to lead impactful change within a service-led, multi-entity setting.
Simon Lincoln Recruitment Services

Contact Detail:

Simon Lincoln Recruitment Services Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Client Finance – PBSA / Real Estate – Harrogate

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector, especially those in PBSA or real estate. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its financial operations. Understand their challenges and think about how you can contribute to their success. This will show you're not just another candidate but someone who genuinely cares about their business.

Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! You need to communicate your leadership experience and financial expertise clearly. Role-play with a friend or in front of a mirror to boost your confidence before the big day.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for talented folks like you. Plus, it’s a great way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Client Finance – PBSA / Real Estate – Harrogate

Leadership Skills
Financial Controls
Management Accounts
Stakeholder Management
Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Project Management
Attention to Detail
Organisational Skills
Process Improvement
Data Analysis
Team Development
Adaptability
Commercial Awareness

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Client Finance role. Highlight your leadership experience, financial controls knowledge, and any relevant achievements that align with the job description. We want to see how you can drive performance and improve processes!

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 role. Mention specific examples of how you've led teams, improved financial reporting, or influenced stakeholders in previous positions. Let us know what makes you tick!

Showcase Your Skills: In your application, don’t forget to showcase your skills in management accounts and financial reporting. We’re looking for someone who can manage multiple priorities and has a strong attention to detail, so make sure these qualities come through in your writing.

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 get all the updates directly from us. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!

How to prepare for a job interview at Simon Lincoln Recruitment Services

Know Your Numbers

As a Head of Client Finance, you'll need to demonstrate your expertise in management accounts and financial controls. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to the role and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive performance in previous positions.

Showcase Your Leadership Style

This role requires strong leadership skills, so think about examples that highlight your ability to manage and develop teams. Be prepared to share specific instances where you've set objectives, driven accountability, and fostered a high-performance culture.

Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement

You'll need to influence various stakeholders, so practice articulating complex financial information clearly and concisely. Consider how you can build trust and rapport with different departments, and be ready to discuss your approach to cross-functional collaboration.

Emphasise Continuous Improvement

The company is looking for someone who can identify efficiencies and improve processes. Think of examples where you've successfully implemented process improvements or automation in your previous roles, and be ready to discuss the impact these changes had on the business.

Head of Client Finance – PBSA / Real Estate – Harrogate
Simon Lincoln Recruitment Services
Location: Harrogate

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