Corporate Finance Partner in Leeds

Purpose of job: Our aim is to become a market leader in the provision of Electric Vehicle charging solutions to Local Authorities and Businesses as part of our strategy to lead the transition to zero carbon. The goal is to undertake an ambitious electric vehicle charging installation program, deploying high volume and quality EV installations across the nation. Our aim is to make the world a better place, one charge point at a time.

The Corporate Finance Partner will work within Zest's Finance Team to support the finance function of a growing SME with lender relationships and the provision of high-quality financial reporting and analysis. The role plays a key part in maintaining strong lender relationships by ensuring accurate, timely, and insightful financial information is provided, alongside internal reporting and forecasting to support decision-making throughout a debt process.

Key Accountabilities:

• Raising debt and equity for the business to prepare for M&A.
• Managing relationships with the banking and lending communities, ensuring balance and measures are attained end-to-end throughout a debt process.
• Prepare regular financial reporting packs for lenders (monthly, quarterly, and ad hoc), including management accounts, covenant calculations, compliance certificates, cashflow forecasts & liquidity analysis.
• Support refinancing, facility amendments, and new funding applications by producing financial models and supporting analysis.
• Act as a key point of contact for lender queries, providing clear explanations of performance, variances, and forecasts.
• Support with the presentation of financial models and analysis to lenders and other external stakeholders as required.
• Ensure reporting aligns with lender agreements and information requirements.
• Develop and maintain short- and medium-term cash flow forecasts.
• Support the wider finance function through month-end activities, budgeting & forecasting, variance analysis and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Identify and implement improvements to reporting processes, controls, and systems.
• Support audit processes and respond to auditor and lender information requests.
• Plus, any other duties as required by the leadership team.

Outcome, Results and Key Performance Indicators:

• Lenders receive accurate, timely and clear financial information, building confidence in the business.
• Financial and covenant risks are identified early and clearly communicated to the leadership team.
• Relevant and pre-agreed measures are attained end-to-end throughout the debt process.
• Improved accuracy and visibility in cash flow forecasting.
• Proactive reporting of internal and external trends and sensitivities which will impact the business in the near term.
• Improved visibility on financial performance outside of the finance team.

Key Relationships:

• Internal: Finance team, Business Operations team, Finance Director, CEO, Board of Directors
• External: Lenders, suppliers, contractors

Knowledge and Skills:

• Experience working with debt facilities, refinancing, or funding processes (Essential).
• Experience in preparing a business for M&A (Essential).
• Proven track record working with an existing network of lenders/investors and relevant advisors (Essential).
• Demonstrable experience preparing information for lenders or banks (Essential).
• Experience with covenant reporting and cash flow forecasting.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to explain financial information clearly.
• Experience managing external stakeholder relationships.
• Strong financial reporting and analytical skills.
• Advanced Excel skills (financial modelling, forecasts, scenario analysis).
• Experience using NetSuite (Desirable).

Behaviours:

• Comfortable working in a hands-on SME environment.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Excellent relationship management skills.
• Commercially minded, with a keen eye for detail and a problem-solving approach.

Qualifications:

• Qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA or equivalent) and/or Qualified financial analyst (CFA or equivalent).

Zest is an equal opportunity employer, committed to the values and ultimately societal benefits of diversity, equity, and inclusion.