Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officer

Full-Time 150000 - 200000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Tenzing Search

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead financial strategy and build a world-class finance function from the ground up.
  • Company: Fast-growing, AI-driven tech business transforming industrial trade.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, equity opportunities, and a chance to shape the company's future.
  • Other info: Dynamic role focused on building systems, not just reporting.
  • Why this job: Be a key player in a well-capitalised company with real commercial traction.
  • Qualifications: Experience in Big 4, investment banking, or private equity with M&A execution.

The predicted salary is between 150000 - 200000 £ per year.

My client is a fast-growing, AI-driven technology business transforming how large-scale industrial trade gets done. Their platform digitises and automates complex, high-value supply chain workflows, replacing slow, manual processes with intelligent real-time orchestration that genuinely moves the needle for buyers and suppliers alike. Having recently closed a significant Series B with leading institutional and venture investors, they now operate across six international markets with a team of 80+. The business has reached triple-digit-million GMV and is on a clear path to profitability. The product is differentiated, the investors are top-tier, and the leadership team is exceptional. This is not a speculative early-stage bet, it's a well-capitalised business with real commercial traction.

The opportunity: My client is hiring their first CFO, you will own the financial architecture of the business and sit at the core of the executive team, with a mandate that spans capital markets, M&A, and building a world-class finance function from the ground up. This is a system-builder role, not a reporting function.

What you'll own:

  • End-to-end financial operating system, P&L, balance sheet, cash flow, and working capital
  • Capital structure across growth phases: equity, senior/subordinated debt, and working capital instruments
  • M&A strategy alongside the CEO, from target evaluation through to integration
  • Embedding financing and acquisition logic directly into the technology platform
  • Statutory accounting, audit-readiness, and governance across multiple entities and jurisdictions
  • Building and leading the Finance org (Accounting, FP&A, Treasury, Risk) — growing from an existing team of 3

My client is open on background, but the profile that will resonate most is someone who has come up through Big 4 transaction services, investment banking, or growth/infrastructure private equity — and has since been close to company building, ideally with M&A execution experience.

Proven track record across equity, debt, and M&A transactions. Ability to design and evolve capital structures at pace. Deep grounding in accounting, controls, and risk in capital-intensive environments. Fluent English; fluent German or French a strong advantage.

The person: A systems thinker who wants to be close to the business, not above it. Comfortable with ambiguity and energised by building. Someone who sees M&A as a strategic tool, not an event. In it for the long term. Worth noting this is not a pure reporting or compliance CFO role. If you're looking for a back-office seat detached from operations, this won't be the right fit. My client wants a CFO who owns capital and M&A decisions, not one who delegates them to advisors.

Chief Financial Officer employer: Tenzing Search

Join a dynamic and innovative AI-driven technology business that is reshaping the industrial trade landscape. As a Chief Financial Officer, you will be at the forefront of building a world-class finance function in a fast-paced environment, with ample opportunities for professional growth and development. The company fosters a collaborative work culture, values strategic thinking, and offers a unique chance to influence key financial decisions while working alongside an exceptional leadership team in a well-capitalised setting.
Tenzing Search

Contact Detail:

Tenzing Search Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Chief Financial Officer

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts, attend finance events, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a CFO role or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Showcase your expertise! Prepare a portfolio that highlights your achievements in capital markets, M&A, and building finance functions. This will help you stand out when you get the chance to chat with potential employers.

✨Tip Number 3

Be ready for the interview! Research the company’s financials, understand their growth strategy, and think about how you can contribute to their success. Tailor your answers to show you’re the perfect fit for their unique needs.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of exciting opportunities, and applying directly shows your enthusiasm. Plus, it makes it easier for us to spot your application and get you in front of the right people.

We think you need these skills to ace Chief Financial Officer

Financial Architecture
P&L Management
Balance Sheet Management
Cash Flow Management
Working Capital Management
Capital Structure Design
M&A Strategy
Statutory Accounting
Audit-Readiness
Governance
Team Leadership
Accounting
FP&A
Risk Management
Fluent English

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of CFO. Highlight your experience in capital markets, M&A, and building finance functions. We want to see how your background aligns with our client's needs!

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 system-builder role. Share specific examples of your achievements in finance and how you’ve tackled ambiguity in past roles.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since you'll be building and leading a finance team, it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership experience. We want to know how you've successfully managed teams and driven results in previous positions.

Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!

How to prepare for a job interview at Tenzing Search

✨Know the Business Inside Out

Before your interview, dive deep into the company's mission, values, and recent achievements. Understand their AI-driven technology and how it transforms industrial trade. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your genuine interest and show that you're ready to contribute to their growth.

✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking

As a potential CFO, it's crucial to highlight your experience in capital markets and M&A. Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully navigated complex financial landscapes and made strategic decisions that positively impacted previous companies. This will illustrate your capability to build a world-class finance function.

✨Emphasise Your Systems Approach

This role is all about building systems, so be ready to discuss your experience with designing financial architectures. Talk about how you've implemented processes that improved efficiency and accuracy in financial reporting. This will align perfectly with what the company is looking for in their first CFO.

✨Be Ready for Ambiguity

The company is looking for someone who thrives in uncertain environments. Prepare to discuss times when you've faced ambiguity in your career and how you tackled it. Show them that you're not just comfortable with change, but that you embrace it as an opportunity for growth and innovation.

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