At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and growth modelling for a dynamic tech company.
- Company: Wave, a forward-thinking tech firm with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a vibrant team and make impactful decisions in a fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Be the financial brain behind exciting international expansion and strategic decisions.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong commercial judgement and leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 150000 € per year.
The commercial and financial brain of Wave's leadership. Models the future of the business, structures the capital that funds it, and owns the decisions founders would otherwise have to make themselves. Thinks like the founders and backs it up with rigour. A senior visible presence in the business, the final point of escalation before founder involvement on finance and commercial decisions, and the person investors meet before they meet the founders. This is a CFO-equivalent role with heavy commercial judgement, not a financial controller. The Interim Finance Manager owns the execution layer beneath; this role owns the strategic, commercial, and capital thinking above it.
What you own and what success looks like:
- Financial strategy and growth modelling
- Own Wave's live financial model across revenue trajectory, EBITDA bridge, cash position, and valuation. No significant decision reaches the founders without a financial model attached. Produce the board and investor financial narrative at a consistent cadence.
- Capital structure: debt, equity, and growth investment
- Own the capital structure strategy across three geographies and three business lines. Manage the invoice finance facility and evaluate alternative debt instruments. Own the equity financing strategy: when, at what valuation, from whom, on what terms. Manage the cash cycle proactively, not reactively.
- International expansion finance
- Own the financial architecture for US and UAE growth: investment cases, funding models, inter-company structures, and return expectations. Build break-even headcount models and entity funding structures for each new geography. Own the intercompany accounting framework and country-specific finance briefings.
- Group P&L and financial governance
- Own the group P&L and margin discipline across all three business lines. Own the financial governance framework: sign-off thresholds, approval levels, escalation structure. The final escalation point before founder involvement on finance and commercial decisions. Maintain the financial risk register.
- Finance systems and Mothership integration
- Own the requirements brief for the Xero to Mothership financial data integration. Define what the financial reporting layer in Mothership needs to surface. Lead the R&D tax credit programme.
- Statutory compliance and multi-entity risk
- Own all statutory obligations across UK entities and active international jurisdictions. Maintain the group compliance calendar and risk register. Manage the external advisor network.
- Direct report leadership
- Lead and develop the Interim Finance Manager at pace with the business's growth.
Who we are looking for:
- Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA) with significant post-qualification experience in a scaling professional services, SaaS, or tech-enabled business.
- Heavy commercial judgement, not just financial discipline; reads a business situation and identifies the financial implication without being asked.
- Senior presence and gravitas with clients, investors, and advisors.
- Thinks like a founder and backs it up with rigour; builds models from scratch that drive decisions, rather than reporting on outcomes.
- Capital markets experience: managed debt facilities, participated in equity raises, or structured growth financing.
- Multi-entity, multi-jurisdiction finance experience.
- Willing to challenge founders and SLT with data and back their own calls with conviction.
- Comfortable being the final escalation point on decisions that do not need founder involvement.
- AI-literate; restructures working practices around AI tools.
Financial Director employer: Wave Group
Wave is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and innovative work culture, ideal for a Financial Director looking to make a significant impact. With a focus on employee growth and development, we offer opportunities to lead strategic financial initiatives across multiple geographies, while being part of a collaborative team that values commercial judgement and entrepreneurial thinking. Our commitment to a supportive environment, combined with the chance to shape the future of the business, makes Wave a rewarding place to advance your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the finance and tech sectors. Attend industry events, join relevant 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
Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to meet potential employers or investors, make sure to highlight your financial modelling skills and commercial judgement. Prepare a few examples of how you've made impactful decisions in previous roles that align with what Wave is looking for.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! If you see a role at Wave that excites you, don’t wait for the perfect moment. Apply through our website and follow up with a friendly email expressing your enthusiasm. Show us that you’re serious about being part of the team!
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by thinking like a founder. Understand Wave’s business model and be ready to discuss how you would approach financial strategy and capital structure. Bring your A-game and demonstrate that you can think strategically while also managing the nitty-gritty details.
We think you need these skills to ace Financial Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Financial Savvy:When you're writing your application, make sure to highlight your financial expertise and strategic thinking. We want to see how you can model the future of our business and back it up with solid data. Don't just tell us about your experience; show us how you've used it to drive decisions.
Think Like a Founder:In your application, demonstrate that you understand the entrepreneurial mindset. We’re looking for someone who can think commercially and make tough calls. Share examples of how you've approached challenges with a founder's perspective, and how your decisions have positively impacted the business.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, especially when it comes to complex financial concepts. Use bullet points or short paragraphs to make your key achievements stand out, and ensure we can easily see how you fit the role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team at Wave!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wave Group
✨Know Your Financial Models Inside Out
As a Financial Director, you'll need to demonstrate your expertise in financial modelling. Be prepared to discuss how you've built models from scratch and how they influenced key business decisions. Brush up on your knowledge of EBITDA bridges, cash positions, and valuation metrics.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Judgement
This role requires heavy commercial judgement, so think about examples where you've identified financial implications in business situations. Prepare to explain how your insights have led to successful outcomes, especially in scaling businesses or tech environments.
✨Demonstrate Leadership and Gravitas
You'll be a senior presence in the company, so it's crucial to convey confidence and authority during the interview. Share experiences where you've led teams or influenced stakeholders, particularly in high-stakes financial discussions with clients or investors.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Capital Structure Strategies
Familiarise yourself with different capital structures and be ready to discuss your experience managing debt facilities and equity raises. Think about how you would approach financing strategies for international expansion, as this will likely come up in conversation.
