Job Description
Location: DerbyHours: Full-time, Monday to FridayReporting to: CEO
Role Purpose
The Head of Finance will lead the financial management, reporting and commercial analysis for the organisation. This role ensures the business has robust financial controls, accurate reporting, and forward-looking insight that supports decision-making, growth and operational performance.
This is both a strategic and hands-on position, responsible for overseeing day-to-day finance operations while contributing directly to long-term planning and business leadership.
Key ResponsibilitiesFinancial Management & Controls
* Lead the finance function, ensuring accurate and timely month-end and year-end close
* Maintain strong financial controls, policies and processes
* Oversee balance sheet integrity, reconciliations and audit readiness
* Manage treasury, cash flow, banking relationships and working capital cycles
Management Reporting
* Prepare monthly management accounts with insightful analysis
* Present financial performance to senior leadership
* Develop dashboards, KPIs and performance metrics
* Ensure reporting is consistent, timely and decision-ready
Budgeting, Forecasting & Planning
* Lead annual budgeting and quarterly reforecasting
* Partner with operational leaders to build robust financial plans
* Provide variance analysis with clear commercial explanations
* Identify risks, opportunities and financial impacts
Commercial Finance & Business Partnering
* Support pricing, margin analysis, cost reviews and investment decisions
* Work with operations, sales and projects to improve financial outcomes
* Provide financial modelling for business cases, capital spend or new initiatives
Cash Flow & Working Capital
* Own cash flow forecasting and liquidity management
* Drive improvements in debtor management, inventory and supplier terms
* Monitor cash conversion and support funding requirements where needed
Systems, Processes & Continuous Improvement
* Improve finance systems and reporting tools
* Strengthen processes to support scalability and growth
* Lead upgrades or transitions to new accounting/ERP systems
* Drive automation and efficiency across finance operations
Candidate ProfileQualifications
* Fully qualified accountant (ACCA / CIMA / ACA or equivalent)
* Strong technical grounding in financial and management accounting
Experience
* Proven experience in a senior finance role, ideally Head of Finance or Finance Manager ready to step up
* Background within SME environments
* Experience in manufacturing and engineering
* Demonstrable ability to lead a finance function end-to-end
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