At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance forecasting, reporting, and team management while driving process improvements.
- Company: Vistry Kent, a top UK housebuilder committed to integrity and quality.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, company car, up to 39 days leave, and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Flexible working options and opportunities for career progression.
- Why this job: Be a trusted advisor, influence key decisions, and drive performance in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified Accountant with significant experience in Commercial Finance or FP&A roles.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 € per year.
In a Nutshell…We have an exciting opportunity for a Head of Finance to join our team within Vistry Kent, at our West Malling office. As our Head of Finance, you will be a special individual who is ready to take the next step in their career. This is a Head of Finance role for someone who is one part brilliant and impactful business partner, one part FP&A expert – able to produce data driven insight and one part process ninja – able to dissect and improve processes both from an efficiency aspect and a controls one and one part natural leader – Able to influence and motivate those around them.
This is an important role, being accountable for ensuring we set credible and challenging plans, ensuring we understand opportunities and risks and performance against those plans, unlocking value through data driven insight and challenging their business partners to ensure execution and delivery against agreed plans. The role gives wide exposure to the Regional Finance Director and Regional Managing Director, and wider leadership team, and the opportunity for progression to the right individual. You will be a trusted advisor to the Board and all departments of the business. This role is for an individual who wants to truly business partner the business, creating value and driving performance rather than reporting the numbers.
We value in-person collaboration and team culture, but we’re also committed to supporting flexible working where possible. We encourage you to raise any specific requirements during the interview process so we can explore how this could be accommodated.
Let’s cut to the chase, what’s in it for you…
- Competitive basic salary and annual bonus
- Company car, car allowance or travel allowance
- Salary sacrifice car scheme available to all employees
- Up to 39 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- 2 Volunteering days per annum
- Private medical insurance, with employee paid cover
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Competitive pension scheme through salary sacrifice
- Life assurance at 4 x your annual salary
- Share save and share incentive schemes
- Christmas company shutdown
- Employee rewards portal with many more benefits
In return, what we would like from you…
- Behave in line with our company values – Integrity, Caring and Quality
- Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent qualification) with significant PQE
- IT literate including MS Excel/Outlook.
- Significant experience of working in Commercial Finance and/or FP&A roles.
- Strong Excel and report building skills.
- Experienced in monthly management accounts – including telling the story to senior stakeholders
- Comfortable working cross-functionally and building relationships with stakeholders founded on openness and challenge.
- Effective communicator both with finance and non-finance professionals.
- Impact, influence and gravitas, able to tell the story and drive value creating action
- Drive and ambition to deliver results.
Desirable…
- COINS finance system.
- Construction / Housebuilding industry.
More about the Head of Finance role…
- Lead and manage on all aspects of forecasting and management reporting, including budgeting, forecasting, reporting actuals vs plan, risks and opportunities
- Lead the FP&A and Commercial team, being accountable for ultimate delivery and line manage a team of two
- Develop and coach a Finance Manager and Assistant Finance Analyst direct report
- Drive continuous improvement throughout all aspects of the FP&A and Commercial Finance activities – Be those improvements to Management Information and data driven insight, underlying processes and controls, wider Governance with the business or improving cross-functional collaboration
- Deputise for the Regional Finance Director where required – for example in Board meetings or meetings with Division
- Collaborate closely with the Commercial team in the preparation of site cashflows, and through the monthly CVR meetings, ensuring finance input and challenge
- Collaborate closely with the Controllership team in the preparation of monthly flash and month end actuals
- Develop insightful reporting which presents actionable data driven insight, for example on the payment run process, private sales rates
- Business partner key stakeholders across Build, Commercial and other Departments to ensure risks and opportunities to plan are fully understood and mitigated/unlocked and hold the business to account for delivery against agreed plans
- Support with the management of Joint Ventures
- Be a leader and mentor within the wider finance team, role modelling the behaviours and values of the team
- Be curious and driven, looking for opportunities to lead on reporting, process or governance improvements
Finally, let’s tell you a bit more about us…We build more than homes, we’re making Vistry. Being a responsible developer and award-winning employer means we live each day through our ethos - doing the right thing. Our behaviours reflect this, as well as our values of integrity, caring and quality. Shaping all we do; they empower us to develop sustainable communities across affordable and private housing. We work in a partnership-led way, and you’ll recognise our renowned brands Bovis Homes, Linden Homes and Countryside Homes. Together with Vistry Works, our manufacturing operation, and the functional support of Vistry Services, we’re a proud UK Green Building Council member, UK top five housebuilder with a five-star House Builders Federation (HBF) customer satisfaction rating, and winner of many awards including Top Employer, Global Top Inspiring Workplaces, and Best for Talent Attraction and Outreach. Join us in making Vistry.
Head of Finance employer: Vistry Homes
At Vistry Kent, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in our West Malling office where collaboration and flexibility are at the forefront of our culture. As the Head of Finance, you will not only enjoy a competitive salary and extensive benefits, including generous annual leave and private medical insurance, but also have the opportunity for significant career progression while working alongside a supportive leadership team committed to your professional growth. Join us in shaping sustainable communities and experience a workplace that values integrity, caring, and quality.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the finance industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and its values, especially around integrity, caring, and quality. Think about how your experience aligns with their needs and be ready to share specific examples of how you've driven performance and created value in past roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your process ninja skills! Be ready to discuss how you've improved processes in previous jobs. Use data-driven insights to back up your claims and demonstrate how you can bring that same mindset to the Head of Finance role at Vistry Kent.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team and making a difference in the finance world.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Impact:When writing your application, make sure to highlight how you've made a difference in your previous roles. We want to see those data-driven insights and how you've influenced business decisions!
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send a generic CV! Tailor your application to reflect the skills and experiences that match our Head of Finance role. We love seeing candidates who understand what we’re about and how they fit in.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your key achievements and skills. We appreciate a well-structured application!
Apply Through Our Website:Make sure to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Vistry Homes
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Head of Finance, you’ll need to demonstrate your expertise in financial data. Brush up on key metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used data-driven insights to influence business decisions in the past.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires a natural leader who can motivate and influence others. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects, focusing on your ability to drive performance and create value.
✨Understand the Business Landscape
Familiarise yourself with Vistry's operations and the construction industry. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals and how you can contribute to their success in a collaborative environment.
✨Communicate Effectively
You’ll be working with both finance and non-finance professionals, so practice explaining complex financial concepts in simple terms. Think of examples where your communication skills helped bridge gaps between departments.