Confidential Opportunity: Chief Financial Officer
Private Equity-Backed Consulting Business | Manchester
£150,000 – £180,000 + Equity + 30% Bonus
Stanton House is exclusively retained by a high-growth, Private Equity-backed consulting business headquartered in Manchester to appoint a CFO. The business is backed by a prominent mid-market PE fund and is entering a new phase of accelerated growth and operational scale-up.
The Opportunity
This is a pivotal leadership role for a commercially focused and technically strong CFO. You will be responsible for professionalising the finance function, optimising performance, and enabling value creation through organic growth, cost control, and strategic M&A. As a key partner to the CEO, you’ll influence decision-making at board and investor level, while helping position the business for a successful exit within the current investment cycle.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Leadership & Control
* Lead the finance function, ensuring strong reporting, forecasting, and financial control across the group.
* Build and manage detailed P&L, cash flow, and balance sheet models across multiple business units.
* Implement KPI dashboards and performance analytics to support executive and board-level decisions.
* Maintain banking covenant compliance and manage lender relationships.
Strategic Growth & M&A
* Act as a trusted advisor to the CEO, translating financial data into strategic insights.
* Support delivery of the PE value creation plan through scenario modelling and ROI analysis.
* Drive margin and EBITDA improvements by identifying cost efficiencies and commercial levers.
* Lead evaluation and integration of bolt-on acquisitions.
* Engage directly with investors and the Chairman to track progress against strategic milestones.
Cash, Liquidity & Operational Efficiency
* Maintain tight control over cash flow and working capital via a 13-week rolling forecast.
* Identify opportunities for cash release, cost containment, and margin optimisation.
* Work cross-functionally to drive pricing, contract value, and operational effectiveness.
Governance, Risk & Reporting
* Oversee audit, tax, risk management, and statutory reporting requirements.
* Build a fit-for-scale finance infrastructure, including systems, processes, and team capability.
* Prepare monthly board packs and support board-level governance and investor reporting.
Candidate Profile
* Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) with 10+ years of senior finance leadership experience.
* Proven track record as CFO or Finance Director in a PE-backed or leveraged business.
* Skilled in financial modelling, investor reporting, and board-level stakeholder engagement.
* Experience operating in cash-constrained environments and leading business transformation.
* Strong background in M&A execution, integration, and commercial contract review.
* Hands-on, pragmatic leader with a collaborative, results-oriented mindset.
* Comfortable managing change across multi-site operations and building high-performing teams.
Location: North West (specific location shared confidentially at interview)
Start Date: 3–6 months (depending on availability)
Package: £150,000–£170,000 base salary (DOE) + 30% bonus + equity participation
If you're an experienced CFO looking to shape the next stage of a PE-backed business’s growth journey, and play a central role in value creation, we’d love to hear from you.