Financial Controller – Career-Defining PE-Backed Opportunity
Location: Teesside (fully on-site initially)
Salary: £70,000–£75,000 + genuine progression
A Rare Opportunity at the Start of a Transformation
Every so often, a role comes along that isn't just a "step up" — it's a trajectory-changing career move.
This is one of those roles.
A growing industrial services business in Teesside has just secured private equity investment and appointed a new, commercially minded CFO with a clear vision:
"We're building a modern finance function from the ground up. The right person will shape what 'great' looks like here."
— CFO
This is not "business as usual."
This is building from scratch.
Why This Role Is a Big Deal (What's In It for You)
1. You get to build the finance function — not inherit one
Most Financial Controllers walk into established processes.
You won't.
You'll walk into a blank canvas.
* You'll shape reporting
* You'll redefine controls
* You'll influence systems
* You'll modernise processes
* You'll leave your fingerprints on everything
If you've ever said, "I wish I could build this my way," — this is that moment.
2. PE exposure that accelerates careers
Private equity environments compress development.
What normally takes 7–10 years in corporate environments can happen here in 3–5.
You'll gain experience in:
* Investor reporting
* Value creation planning
* Board-level visibility
* Commercial modelling
* Exit readiness
This is the type of environment where Controllers become Heads of Finance, FDs, and CFOs.
3. A CFO who develops people — not controls them
You'll report directly to a CFO who is passionate about building capability, not hierarchy.
"If someone shows initiative and curiosity, I won't clip their wings."
— Anonymous CFO
He wants someone who:
* Asks "why?"
* Challenges existing ways
* Spots improvements
* Wants more than a task list
You'll have autonomy, trust, and room to grow.
4. Commercial exposure if you want it
If you're naturally commercial, curious, and analytical, the doors are open.
You could get involved in:
* Pricing decisions
* Operational business partnering
* Financial modelling
* Strategic planning
* M\&A support
You won't be pigeonholed.
5. A business on the cusp of major growth
You're joining right after PE funding — the perfect inflection point.
The next 3–5 years will involve:
* Scaling
* Systems upgrades
* Process redesign
* Team building
* Operational performance improvements
This is day one of a transformation.
Few roles offer this level of visibility and influence.
The Role: Financial Controller
This is a hands-on, high-impact role where you will:
* Own and strengthen financial controls
* Build management reporting from scratch
* Lead and modernise month-end
* Play a key role in a new ERP implementation (Intact)
* Support PE reporting and board packs
* Partner with operations to drive insight
This role suits someone who thrives in environments that are changing — not someone who wants everything already figured out.
About You
You'll thrive here if you are:
Essential
* A qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA)
* Experienced as a Financial Controller or similar level
* Used to hands-on roles in SMEs, industrial, or operational businesses
* Comfortable rebuilding processes, not just following them
* Someone who can bring structure, logic, and clarity to messy environments
Behavioural Must-Haves
* Curious
* Proactive
* Problem-solver
* Improvement-focused
* Commercially minded
Not the Right Fit If…
* You want a clean, corporate, neatly structured environment
* You prefer to wait for instructions
* You don't enjoy change, pace, and ambiguity
Location & Working Model
The role is based in Teesside.
Initial phase:
* Fully on-site (to build relationships, understand the business, and establish foundations)
Once established:
* The CFO is pragmatic — flexibility based on performance and trust
Interested? Let's Talk Confidentially
This search is being managed exclusively on a fully confidential basis by:
Javed Bobat
Founder, iFF Talent
Drop me a message for a confidential conversation — even if you're not sure yet.
I'll give you the full story, straight, no pressure.
* We're a purpose-driven search firm built on one belief: recruitment should leave people and communities better than we found them.
* Alongside expert hiring support, we offer free mentoring access, career guidance, and wellbeing support throughout your journey
* We also reinvest 3% of our profits into mental health and social impact initiatives - including MHFA training, wellbeing workshops, and youth outreach.
With IFF Talent, you're not just applying for a role.
You're joining a recruitment experience designed to create real, lasting impact.