Remote Head of Finance - Remote, one day travel to London per week in Devon, Plymouth
Swoon Editions Plymouth About the role
We design original pieces in-house, and our innovative NPD process quickly discovers the next trend. Our testing platform ensures designs sell online at their intended price, and our data-led approach grows sales within families exponentially. Our business model cuts out expensive overheads like shops and overstocked warehouses, making our prices affordable. This diversified growth strategy is powering our brand to a significant market share.
The Head of Finance oversees the entire finance function, from strategic FP&A and long-term planning to day-to-day management accounting, treasury, and reporting. As the financial conscience of the business, you will act as a key gatekeeper for capital allocation and a trusted senior partner to the co-founders and leadership team.
Leading a capable finance team, you will provide robust control and constructive challenge to operational leads. You will set the budgets within which they operate, approve capital expenditures, and validate the commercial logic of key business decisions to ensure strong financial governance as Swoon continues to scale.
Financial Planning, Forecasting and Reporting- Build robust, ground-up models that connect commercial drivers to financial outcomes.
- Manage the monthly management accounts, board packs, investor reporting and FP&A reporting.
- Develop an FP&A reporting suite within Sigma to ensure the business stays on track against targets.
- Oversee the monthly close, balance sheet reconciliations, and the integrity of all board-level data.
- Run payment run, manage banking relationships, debt facilities, covenant reporting, and lender communication.
- Oversee VAT, payroll, and statutory filings; manage the year-end and external audit processes.
- Bring financial rigor to people-related decisions, including payroll, compensation, and benefits.
- Lead, coach, and prioritise the finance team, building capabilities to scale alongside the business.
- Serve as a strategic partner to the co-founders, providing analysis and guidance on major commercial decisions, partnerships, new ventures, and CAPEX investments.
- Uphold guardrails for inventory management, including budgets, stock investment, intake margin, clearance pricing, and markdown strategies.
- Evaluate all tech CAPEX projects against projected ROI and rigorously review the tech roadmap budget.
- Continuously evolve the financial control environment, including payment authorisation, segregation of duties, and procurement controls.
- Support the co-founders with the quarterly OKR-based planning cycle to ensure cross-functional alignment with profitability and cash targets.
- Proactively identify, model, and mitigate financial risks, such as supply chain disruption, pricing pressure, partner concentration, FX volatility, and working capital seasonality.
- Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent) with 7+ years of experience.
- Proven track record leading or working within the full finance function, encompassing FP&A, management accounting, treasury, and statutory reporting.
- Strong instincts developed in a consumer-facing, high-growth environment (e-commerce, retail, hospitality, or DTC).
- Demonstrable experience in designing, implementing, and managing robust financial controls.
- Ability to build credibility with non-finance functions and challenge leadership constructively.
- Advanced financial modelling and forecasting skills; comfortable building complex models from scratch and comfortable with 3 way financial modelling.
- Familiarity with retail / merchandising finance, including stock investment economics and markdown management.
- Proficiency with modern BI tools.
- Prior experience in the furniture, homeware, or interiors sectors.
- Competitive salary
- Profit share scheme
- Wellbeing allowance
- Pension scheme
- Private medical cover for you and your family
- ~27 days holiday rising to 30 with tenure
- ~4 months of summer hours finishing at 1 PM on a Friday (we’re currently trialling rolling this out permanently!)
- ~ Free furniture on each anniversary of employment
- ~ Friends & family discount of 20%
- ~ Remote working 4x days per week
Your tasks
Lead the finance function, manage budgets, and provide strategic financial insights.
Your profile
Qualified accountant with 7+ years of finance experience and strong commercial acumen.
What's also included
Competitive salary, profit share, wellbeing allowance, and private medical cover.
Tech stack & ways of working
Remote Head of Finance - Remote, one day travel to London per week in Devon, Plymouth employer: Swoon Editions
Swoon is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and innovative work culture, perfect for those looking to make a significant impact in the finance sector. With a focus on employee growth and development, you will have the opportunity to lead a talented finance team while enjoying the flexibility of remote work with just one day of travel to London each week. Our commitment to affordability and collaboration with leading retailers creates a unique environment where your contributions directly influence our ambitious growth trajectory.
Your perspectives
Join a dynamic team and shape financial strategies in a fast-growing company.
StudySmarter Expert Advice
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 Swoon Editions. 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.
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 Swoon Editions.
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 Swoon Editions'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 Swoon Editions
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 Swoon Editions.
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 Swoon Editions 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 Swoon Editions 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.
Locations
- Plymouth
- Devon
