At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Zima Dental's finance function and evolve financial infrastructure for growth.
- Company: Join a profitable, bootstrapped consumer brand redefining oral appliance care globally.
- Benefits: Enjoy a company pension, Cycle to Work scheme, and ongoing learning support.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for team building and significant career growth.
- Why this job: Shape core financial systems and work directly with the founder in a pivotal role.
- Qualifications: 6+ years in commercial finance, qualified accountant, and consumer goods experience required.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Experience Required: 6+ Years Post-Qualification in Commercial Finance / FP&A
About the Role
We are looking for a Finance Director to lead Zima Dental's finance function into its next phase of maturity. The business has scaled rapidly and profitably with strong financial foundations including robust external accounting, auditing relationships, and commercial modelling that has guided capital allocation and growth decisions to date. This role is about taking what exists, professionalising it, and building the internal capability to match the scale and complexity the business has reached.
You will own the evolution of our financial infrastructure from forecasting and controls through to margin optimisation and cash management, ensuring our systems, processes, and reporting keep pace with a multi-channel, multi-region operation. As the business continues to grow, this role naturally expands into building and leading a finance team around you.
You will be the senior finance leader in the business, working directly with the founder and the senior leadership team. You will partner with our established external accountants, advisors, and auditors.
Key Responsibilities
- Own the internal finance function, evolving its scope, priorities, and operating rhythm as the business scales.
- Strengthen financial controls, approval frameworks, purchase order processes, and segregation of duties.
- Maintain a 13-week rolling cash flow forecast to ensure full visibility of liquidity and working capital requirements.
- Oversee the relationship with external accountants and auditors, ensuring reporting quality and audit readiness at all times.
- Ensure financial systems and documentation meet the standards expected of a business of this scale and complexity.
Forecasting & Planning
- Own end-to-end financial modelling across all products, channels, and regions.
- Lead operational forecasting incorporating marketing data, commercial plans, and seasonality.
- Translate forecasts into clear cash flow, working capital, and departmental budget plans.
- Continuously refine forecasting accuracy and reduce variance as the business scales.
Growth Economics & Profitability
- Partner with the Growth and Marketing team to model customer acquisition costs (CAC) versus lifetime value (LTV) globally.
- Establish clear, data-driven financial frameworks to guide media spend and marketing investment decisions.
Margin & Supply Chain Finance
- Partner closely with the Supply Chain team to systematically review and optimise gross margin across products and channels.
- Model the financial impact of logistics RFPs, manufacturing costs, and packaging optimisations to protect operating margins.
- Forecast working capital requirements for B2B and physical retail expansion, factoring in varied payment terms and inventory cycles.
International & Multi-Channel Finance
- Manage the financial complexity of a multi-channel business spanning DTC, marketplaces, B2B trade, physical retail, and strategic partnerships.
- Oversee multi-currency management, with significant USD exposure across the business.
- Support international structuring and cross-border financial operations as the group matures.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner closely with Commercial, Marketplaces, Growth, Supply Chain, and Product teams to align financial planning with business priorities.
- Support product launches, retail expansions, and peak trading periods with robust financial modelling.
- Act as the finance subject-matter expert within the business, providing commercial and financial counsel to the senior leadership team.
- Define and execute the long-term strategy for the finance function, including hiring and team expansion as the workload demands.
- Manage the transition of capabilities from external providers to an internal team over time.
What We Are Looking For
- 6+ years post-qualification experience in commercial finance or FP&A.
- Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA).
- Consumer goods background with hands-on experience in physical product economics, inventory, and supply chain finance.
- Demonstrable experience building or significantly shaping a finance function in a high-growth environment.
- Exposure to multi-channel, multi-region, and multi-currency financial dynamics.
Skills
- Strong financial modelling, planning, and analytical capabilities.
- Confident establishing financial controls, governance, and reporting infrastructure.
- Experienced managing relationships with external accountants, auditors, and professional advisers.
- Comfortable being the most senior finance person in the room and owning decisions.
Mindset
- Builder — genuinely energised by evolving and elevating, not just maintaining.
- Commercially sharp — understands that finance exists to enable growth decisions, not constrain them.
- Hands-on — not too senior to get into the detail; this isn’t a delegating role yet.
- Calm under pressure — peak trading, new channel launches, and international expansion all at once.
Highly Valued
- Experience in premium consumer goods, wellness, health, or MedTech categories.
- Exposure to Shopify, Amazon FBA, and international retailer financial models.
- Experience in a business that has undergone corporate restructuring or significant strategic change.
- Familiarity with ERP or inventory management systems.
- Experience working in a founder-led scaling environment.
Why Join Us
Zima Dental is a profitable, bootstrapped consumer brand redefining oral appliance care globally. No external investors. No dilution. Profitable from day one. This is a business built on financial discipline, and in this role you will ensure that discipline scales with the ambition.
You will work directly with the founder and senior leadership team, shape core financial infrastructure, and build systems that support long-term growth and strategic optionality. If you thrive on complexity and want to own the financial function of a market-leading brand at a pivotal stage of its growth, this role offers both challenge and significant upside.
Company pension
Cycle to Work scheme
Ongoing learning and development support
Weekly team and company social activities
Financial Director in London employer: Zima Dental
Zima Dental is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and development, offering rapid career progression and significant ownership from day one. With a collaborative work culture that encourages innovation and problem-solving, you'll gain invaluable experience across the entire supply chain while working closely with senior leadership in a fast-paced environment. Located in a dynamic industry, Zima Dental provides a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on projects that drive the business forward.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Director in London
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Zima Dental. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Financial Director in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Zima Dental.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Zima Dental's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zima Dental
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Zima Dental.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Zima Dental will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Zima Dental employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
