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- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and operational execution in a dynamic, growing professional services firm.
- Company: A rapidly expanding firm with international reach and a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership influence, and the chance to shape the firm's future.
- Other info: Opportunity for strategic influence and career advancement in a multi-site, international environment.
- Why this job: Join at a pivotal moment and make a real impact on growth and transformation.
- Qualifications: Senior leadership experience in finance or operations, preferably in professional services.
The predicted salary is between 120000 - 150000 £ per year.
A dynamic growing professional services firm with international reach is looking for a Chief Financial & Operating Officer. The firm is entering a new phase of growth, requiring enhanced operational scalability, financial discipline, and transformation capability. The Chief Financial & Operating Officer is a critical leadership role combining financial leadership with operational execution. You will work closely with the senior leadership to drive financial performance, investment into key infrastructure to support our revenue generation, profitable delivery of services and operational efficiencies. The role is accountable for leading, coordinating and enabling the firm’s financial management, operational infrastructure and execution capability, ensuring the firm has the discipline, insight and an operating model required to scale.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and performance analysis, delivering clear insight to inform strategic decisions.
- Lead the firm’s budgeting process, setting performance targets and monitoring delivery against financial objectives.
- Maintain the integrity of financial information, ensuring robust reporting, compliance, and control frameworks.
- Act as a trusted adviser on financial performance, risk, and commercial opportunities.
- Oversee cash flow, working capital, and financing arrangements to maintain liquidity and balance sheet strength.
- Represent the firm externally with banks, auditors, tax authorities, and other key financial stakeholders.
- Chair and co-ordinate monthly Operational Heads meetings ensuring clear priorities, ownership and follow-through.
- Provide executive oversight across all functions, including change and transformation, technology and digital, legal and risk, facilities and international operations.
- Drive operational effectiveness across a fast-growing, multi-location business.
- Sponsor firm-wide change and transformation programmes, including process optimisation, operating model evolution and major investment initiatives.
- Sponsor and oversee the firm’s technology and digital roadmap.
- Provide strategic oversight of facilities management, ensuring cost-effective, high-quality working environments.
- Support strategic planning and execution across the firm.
- Prepare and present high-quality financial and operational updates, proposals and risk assessments to the Leadership Board, supporting informed decision-making and effective oversight.
- Lead and develop high-performing teams across Finance, IT, Facilities, and Change.
- Build leadership capability and succession, reducing single-point dependency.
- Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture aligned with the firm’s values.
Key Requirements
- Senior leadership experience in a CFO, COO, or combined CFO/COO role within a professional services or equivalent environment.
- Strong understanding of LLP structures and partner economics.
- Strong commercial and financial acumen with experience leading transformation and scaling operations.
- Qualified accountant.
- Experience in a multi-site, international organisation.
- Exposure to mergers, acquisitions or other inorganic growth.
Personal Attributes
- A credible, confident leader with strong judgement and presence.
- Proactive, outcome-focused and comfortable operating at pace.
- Able to combine strategic thinking with disciplined execution.
- Collaborative, resilient and values-driven.
This represents a rare opportunity with genuine strategic influence, extraordinary breadth, and the chance to shape a firm at a pivotal moment in its development.
Chief Financial & Operating Officer employer: William Scott Associates
Contact Detail:
William Scott Associates Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Financial & Operating Officer
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry and let them know you're on the lookout for a Chief Financial & Operating Officer role. Personal recommendations can make all the difference, so don’t be shy about asking for introductions.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the firm thoroughly. Understand their financial performance, operational challenges, and recent news. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you’re genuinely interested in driving their growth.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills during interviews. Be ready to discuss how you've led teams through transformation and operational scaling in the past. Use specific examples to illustrate your impact and how you can bring that to the table.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Financial & Operating Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the key responsibilities and requirements from the job description. Highlight your experience in financial leadership and operational execution, as these are crucial for the Chief Financial & Operating Officer role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this dynamic role. Share specific examples of how you've driven financial performance and operational efficiencies in your previous positions.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: We want to see your leadership style! Include examples of how you've built high-performing teams and fostered a collaborative culture in your past roles. This will help us understand how you can contribute to our firm’s values.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your materials and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at William Scott Associates
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Chief Financial & Operating Officer, you’ll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to the firm and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive strategic decisions in the past.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role requires strong leadership skills. Prepare examples of how you've led teams through transformation and change. Highlight your ability to foster a collaborative culture and develop high-performing teams.
✨Understand the Business Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the firm's current position in the market and its operational challenges. Be prepared to discuss how you would enhance operational scalability and financial discipline in line with their growth objectives.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Think about potential scenarios related to cash flow management or operational efficiencies, and prepare your thought process on how you would tackle these challenges.