At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial management for multi-site nurseries and childcare services, driving strategic decision-making.
- Company: Join a rapidly expanding UK developer in the childcare sector with a dynamic team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid work model, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with excellent career advancement opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on financial strategies while supporting ambitious company expansion.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant with 5+ years in finance, ideally in multi-site or project-focused roles.
The predicted salary is between 59400 - 72600 £ per year.
This range is provided by Strand Hill. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.
- Base pay range
- Commercial Finance Manager
- Hybrid / London, UK
A rapidly expanding UK developer and operator of multi‑site nurseries and childcare services is seeking an experienced Commercial Finance Manager to join its head office team.
The business operates multiple modern childcare settings across the UK and is continuing to grow through new site development, long‑term leasing, and significant capital investment.
The role offers the opportunity to directly support the company's ambitious expansion by strengthening financial insight, controls, and strategic decision‑making.
The Commercial Finance Manager is a pivotal, hands‑on position responsible for the end‑to‑end financial management of both operational sites and ongoing development projects.
Reporting directly to the CEO, you will lead financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and commercial analysis across the group.
You will provide clear, actionable insights to senior leadership, ensure strong financial discipline across the business, and enhance systems and processes as the organisation scales.
Key Responsibilities
- Produce monthly, quarterly, and annual performance reports for each operational location.
- Deliver consolidated P&L, variance analysis, and commentary for management review.
- Provide detailed revenue, cost, and margin analysis to support commercial decision‑making.
- Conduct profitability assessments, scenario modelling, and financial reviews for existing and future sites.
- Support senior leadership with board packs, strategic presentations, and investor/lender reporting.
- Analyse contractor staffing costs, marketing ROI, and other business initiatives.
- Track capital expenditure and work‑in‑progress across multiple development projects.
- Monitor spend against approved budgets and flag variances or risks.
- Provide regular financial updates to project and leadership teams.
- Oversee cash flow forecasting and liquidity planning on a rolling basis.
- Identify potential cash pressures or surpluses and advise on mitigations or financing needs.
- Lead the annual budgeting cycle and periodic reforecasting.
- Work cross‑functionally to gather assumptions and produce consolidated financial plans.
- Investigate variances and recommend corrective actions.
- Coordinate loan drawdowns and manage lender reporting requirements.
- Maintain accurate records of financing utilisation and covenant compliance.
- Act as the primary contact for lender and investor financial queries.
- Drive continuous improvement of finance processes, reporting, and internal controls.
- Lead or support the implementation of upgraded financial systems or dashboards.
- Develop robust procedures to support scalable growth.
About you
- Fully qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) with strong technical accounting skills.
- 5+ years of experience in finance or management accounting, ideally within a multi‑site, operational, or project‑focused environment.
- Strong experience with project accounting, capital expenditure tracking, or real‑estate/build development is beneficial.
- Advanced Excel and financial modelling capability; confident working with accounting and reporting systems.
- Excellent communication skills, able to translate complex financials for non‑finance stakeholders.
- Highly organised, detail‑oriented, and proactive, with a continuous improvement mindset.
- Comfortable operating in a fast‑growing, evolving environment.
- Seniority level
- Mid‑Senior level
- Employment type
- Full‑time
- Job function
- Accounting/Auditing and Finance
- Industries
- Accounting, Real Estate, and Construction
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Commercial Finance Manager, Multi-site Real Estate employer: Strand Hill
Strand Hill is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and collaboration thrive. As a leader in the real estate sector, we provide our employees with ample opportunities for professional growth and development, alongside a supportive culture that values teamwork and excellence. Located in a vibrant area, our team enjoys not only competitive benefits but also the chance to make a meaningful impact in a market-leading business.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Finance Manager, Multi-site Real Estate
✨Tip Number 1: Tap Into Professional Networks
The finance world loves a good connection, so jump into industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can find discussions on financial controlling. Engaging in these communities can expose you to hidden job leads that aren't openly advertised!
✨Tip Number 2: Attend Finance Events and Conferences
Make it a mission to attend finance-related events and conferences, even virtual ones! This is a golden opportunity to network face-to-face with people from companies like Strand Hill. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!
✨Tip Number 3: Showcase Your Expertise
Consider writing articles or sharing insights related to financial controlling or industry trends. Publish these on platforms like LinkedIn to establish yourself as a knowledgeable player in the field. This not only increases your visibility but also catches the attention of recruiters from Strand Hill.
✨Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites
Since you're going for a full-time gig, don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page of companies you're interested in, like Strand Hill. Many companies prefer candidates who apply through their website as it shows genuine interest and makes your application stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Finance Manager, Multi-site Real Estate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers Game:In financial controlling, detail is everything! Make sure your CV showcases your proficiency with numbers—highlight any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, or working with financial software. Quantifying your past achievements will make you stand out, so don’t be shy about flaunting those impressive percentages or cost savings you've implemented.
Tailored Cover Letter is Key:Your cover letter is a chance to shine, especially for a full-time role. Use it to express your genuine interest in Strand Hill and the specific impact you hope to make in financial controlling. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that align with the company’s goals, and don’t forget to show that you're ready for a long-term commitment!
Certifications Matter:List relevant certifications such as ACCA or CIMA on your CV. These qualifications not only showcase your dedication to the field but also your technical competence in financial principles. If you have any ongoing training or courses, make sure to mention those as well to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning in financial controlling.
Don’t Overlook Soft Skills:While numbers are crucial, so are those soft skills! Financial controllers need strong communication and analytical reasoning abilities. We recommend embedding examples of these skills in your CV and cover letter, like how you’ve successfully delivered financial reports to stakeholders or collaborated with teams to improve processes. Let’s show Strand Hill how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at Strand Hill
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
If you've had experience with specific financial software like SAP or Oracle, make it known! Be ready to discuss how you used these tools to improve processes or reporting, as this hands-on knowledge can really set you apart in a full-time role with Strand Hill.
✨Know Your Numbers
In full-time interviews, especially in financial controlling, be prepared for numerical reasoning tests or questions. Brush up on your mental maths and understand how to interpret and analyse financial statements on the spot, as this may come up during the assessment.
✨Connect with Company Goals
Familiarise yourself with Strand Hill's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!
