Head of Finance

Head of Finance

London Full-Time 43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the finance team, manage a £250m budget, and ensure financial integrity.
  • Company: Join UK & Ireland 2028 Limited, delivering UEFA EURO 2028 across iconic venues.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, 25 days holiday, pension, and private medical insurance.
  • Why this job: Be part of a historic sporting event with a global audience and diverse team culture.
  • Qualifications: Professional accountancy qualification and senior leadership experience in finance required.
  • Other info: Diversity and inclusion are core values; all applicants are welcome.

The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.

Start Date/Contract Duration: April 2025
Job Location: Wembley Stadium, London

The Tournament
Contested every four years, the UEFA European Championship has been showcasing the continent’s top talent since its inception in 1960 and is the world’s third largest sporting event. UEFA EURO 2028 is taking place across the UK & Ireland where Europe’s top 24 national teams will compete in a 31-day, 51 match tournament, attended by over 3 million spectators and with a global tv audience of upwards of 2 billion people. As one of the world’s largest and highest-profile sporting events, UEFA EURO 2028 will attract the attention of the sporting and major event communities, the media, and the public at large across the UK & Ireland, Europe and the World. With its unique hosting model, the event promises to spread the impacts and benefits of the tournament across the nations and communities of the UK and Ireland.

The Organisation
UK & Ireland 2028 Limited has been set up as a new company to locally deliver several UEFA requirements for the tournament, working closely with UEFA, 9 Host Stadiums, 8 Host Cities and other key stakeholders.

The Role
The Head of Finance will lead and motivate a strong finance function working with the executive team to challenge, debate and deliver against tournament priorities – on time and in budget. The role will act as a guarantor of financial integrity and the driver of a value-for-money management style across the organisation.

What will you be doing?

  1. Manage a circa £250m budget and implement a rigorous financial reporting process that meets the conditions of UEFA and Government Partner funding agreements while mitigating significant risk.
  2. Strive for financial excellence, ensuring that the financial platform is appropriate for the challenges facing the organisation, underpinned by highly effective systems and processes.
  3. Report to the Audit & Risk Committee on the integrity of financial statements, the implementation of robust internal controls, systems and policies, and the contract management of external and internal auditors.
  4. Procure circa £90m of goods and services maintaining financial integrity and maximizing the value of return to all funding partners.
  5. Recruit and lead an inclusive team of 5 people creating a culture that allows team members to thrive and achieve objectives collectively.
  6. Work closely with the Head of HR to manage a resource plan that fits the needs of the organisation, stays in budget, and facilitates the timely recruitment of circa 200 roles to deliver tournament obligations.
  7. Execute additional tasks as required to meet changing priorities.
  8. Comply with all company policies and procedures to ensure the highest standards of health, safety and wellbeing can be maintained.

What are we looking for?

Essential Skills & Experience required:

  1. Professional Accountancy Qualification
  2. Advising on financial decisions at senior levels
  3. Statutory accounting experience, either in a company or from an audit background
  4. Managing significant Government contributions
  5. Senior leadership position
  6. Track record of managing all aspects of the finance function, including audit, tax, insurance and payroll
  7. Experience of financial reporting and forecasting, including full P&L ownership
  8. Strong relationships with bankers, auditors and stakeholders.
  9. Ability to communicate with non-financially orientated people
  10. Advanced Microsoft Office skills
  11. Advanced Reporting Writing skills
  12. Advanced communication skills

Why apply?
We offer a competitive salary (plus benefits of 25 days holiday, contributory pension, Private Medical Insurance etc), which coupled with the opportunity to be part of one of the biggest sporting events to ever take place across UK & Ireland we think makes for an exciting place to be!

Where is the role based?
Our head office is based at the iconic Wembley Stadium in London, however depending on your role you may be required to travel across the UK and Ireland to our 9 Stadiums and 8 Host Cities, with some roles being based in those locations. As an event delivery organisation, it’s important that we have regular time together in the office and currently employees come together at least 2 days a week at HQ in Wembley, with the number of days in HQ increasing as the project develops with a minimum of 3-4 days needed in 2026-2027 and full time in the year of 2028.

Everyone is welcome
UK & Ireland 2028 Limited actively promotes diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from everyone. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. If you have any particular requirements in respect of the recruitment or interview process, please mention this during your application.

As part of UK & Ireland 2028 Limited’s commitment to ensuring a safe environment for everyone, every employee will be required to complete a DBS check. The level of the check required will be based on the activity of the specific job role and in line with legislation and government guidance.

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Head of Finance employer: UK Sport

Joining UK & Ireland 2028 Limited as the Head of Finance offers a unique opportunity to be at the heart of one of the world's largest sporting events, with a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits including 25 days of holiday and private medical insurance. Our vibrant work culture emphasizes collaboration and inclusivity, fostering an environment where employees can thrive and grow professionally while contributing to a historic tournament that will captivate millions globally.
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Contact Detail:

UK Sport Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Finance

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarize yourself with the UEFA European Championship and its financial structure. Understanding the unique financial challenges and opportunities associated with such a large-scale event will help you demonstrate your expertise during discussions.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with professionals in the sports finance sector. Attend industry events or webinars related to sports management and finance to build connections that could provide insights or referrals for this role.

✨Tip Number 3

Showcase your leadership skills by discussing past experiences where you successfully managed teams and budgets. Highlighting your ability to lead an inclusive team will resonate well with the organization's values.

✨Tip Number 4

Prepare to discuss your experience with financial reporting and compliance, especially in relation to government funding. Being able to articulate how you've navigated similar situations will set you apart as a strong candidate.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance

Professional Accountancy Qualification
Financial Decision-Making at Senior Levels
Statutory Accounting Experience
Government Contributions Management
Senior Leadership Experience
Audit Management
Tax Compliance
Insurance Management
Payroll Management
Financial Reporting and Forecasting
P&L Ownership
Stakeholder Relationship Management
Advanced Microsoft Office Skills
Advanced Reporting Writing Skills
Advanced Communication Skills
Team Leadership and Development
Budget Management
Risk Mitigation Strategies
Contract Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Head of Finance position. Tailor your application to highlight your relevant experience in managing large budgets and financial reporting.

Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasize your professional accountancy qualifications and any senior leadership roles you've held. Showcase your experience with statutory accounting and managing significant government contributions.

Demonstrate Communication Skills: Since the role requires advanced communication skills, provide examples in your application of how you've successfully communicated complex financial information to non-financial stakeholders.

Showcase Team Leadership: Discuss your experience in leading teams, particularly in creating inclusive cultures that foster collaboration. Mention specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to motivate and manage a finance team effectively.

How to prepare for a job interview at UK Sport

✨Showcase Your Financial Expertise

Be prepared to discuss your professional accountancy qualifications and how they relate to managing large budgets. Highlight your experience with statutory accounting and financial reporting, as these are crucial for the Head of Finance role.

✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills

Share examples of how you've successfully led finance teams in the past. Discuss your approach to creating an inclusive culture that allows team members to thrive, as this will be key in managing a team of five.

✨Communicate Effectively

Since you'll need to communicate complex financial information to non-financial stakeholders, practice explaining financial concepts in simple terms. This will show your ability to bridge the gap between finance and other departments.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions about how you would handle specific financial challenges or risks associated with managing a £250m budget. Think through potential scenarios and your strategies for ensuring financial integrity and value-for-money management.

Head of Finance
UK Sport
U
  • Head of Finance

    London
    Full-Time
    43200 - 72000 £ / year (est.)

    Application deadline: 2027-01-24

  • U

    UK Sport

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