Head of Finance, Leisure & Hospitality, South West London, 75k-80k, dependent upon Experience
Location: SW London
Salary: £75,000 - £80,000
Hybrid: Hybrid - 4 office days per week
Expanding Multi-site leisure and hospitality group operating in London for 10+ years.
This is an exciting opportunity to join the management team of a growing SME which is consistently one of the top performers in its industry. We thrive on providing a first class member & customer experience, which is at the heart of everything we do.
In this role you will support the Managing Director in overseeing all financial aspects of the organization, including strategic planning, budgeting, reporting, compliance, risk management, team leadership, and operational finance.
You'll also work side-by-side with the senior leadership team, bridging the gap with the finance function. It's a hands-on, commercially minded role where your eye for detail and strategic input will help shape decisions and drive the business forward.
We are seeking an experienced and ambitious Head of Finance to handle payroll, accounting, financial analysis, and data analytics, with the potential to grow alongside the business.
Job Responsibilities:
* Oversee financial operations for multiple portfolio companies in the leisure and hospitality industries.
* Own the end-to-end quarterly management accounts process for the business — including timely P&L, balance sheet and cashflow reporting, robust balance sheet reconciliations, and a well-controlled month-end close aligned with Group deadlines.
* Manage day-to-day cashflow and working capital, flagging risks and supporting spend decisions.
* Act as the primary point of contact for all day-to-day finance queries across the business.
* Act as the lead finance business partner to the SLT.
* Lead annual budgeting and reforecasting across P&L, labour, site contribution, variable costs and capex.
* Provide weekly and monthly performance insights, surfacing risks and opportunities across trading, margins, and cost control.
* Own labour cost forecasting, rota modelling and related analysis - ensuring fairness, clarity and operational alignment.
* Provide strategic financial insight to support decision-making and long-term planning
* Liaise with external accountants, auditors, and banks.
* Develop and refine internal systems and controls to improve efficiency and compliance.
* Oversee payroll, invoicing, VAT, and tax matters.
* Support business development with financial modelling and scenario planning.
* Manage, mentor and develop a small finance / admin team
* Ensure compliance with relevant financial regulations and company policies.
* Identify and implement process improvements to enhance operational efficiency.
* Conduct financial analysis to drive profitability and inform business decisions.
* Collaborate with operational teams and GMs to provide financial insights and support performance improvements.
Key Person Requirements
* A degree and full accounting qualification, with ACA first-time passes.
* Minimum of 5 years of post-qualified experience in commercially focused finance roles.
* Experience working in an SME or growing business environment essential with exposure to multi trade or multi-site businesses.
* Proven financial leadership experience in a senior finance role in an SME environment (50+ staff).
* Must have a commercially minded approach with strong analytical and modelling skills
* Experience in managing and leading fast paced finance teams.
* Proven expertise in managing external finance providers or outsourced teams.
* Advanced Excel and IT proficiency, including experience with financial systems (Xero).
* Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to liaise effectively with diverse stakeholders.
* Highly self-motivated with a proactive approach to problem-solving and decision-making.
What's on Offer
* A competitive salary range of £75,000-£80,000 per annum, depending on experience
* 33 days holiday per year plus annual loyalty bonus day
* Cycle to work scheme
* Free gym memberships for you plus one
* Company pension
* Employee Assistance Programme
* Regular social activities
* Substantial investment in your L&D journey
* Loyalty rewards and referral bonuses.
If you're looking to step into a true senior finance role with excellent flexibility and autonomy as a Head of Finance owning a full finance remit, while staying in the key details of a high performing team, we'd love to hear from you. To apply, please submit your CV for immediate consideration.