A fast-growing international group operating across multiple sectors is seeking a dynamic and experienced Group Finance Director to join its finance leadership team. This role will lead strategic growth via M&A activity whilst ensuring control and process is maintained and improved. The Group FD will demonstrate leadership qualities to inspire and motivate a growing finance function and make proactive decisions to facilitate improvements and build upon the established base of the current business.
Key Responsibilities:
* To own the relevant analyses of performance for the CEO, CFO and executive team monthly and quarterly including development of relevant forward looking and historic KPIs and reporting packs.
* Take the lead, and to be able to project manage, on Mergers, Acquisitions and Divestment projects
* Provide relevant, timely and consistent monthly and ad hoc management reports as required for the Board, Exec and other business contacts to agreed deadlines
* Complete the month end close process in c.5 days and benchmark performance externally
* Develop the monthly performance reviews focussing on business performance for the month, year to date and forecasts with a more forward-looking focus to take place soon after the month ends
* To own the development and ongoing delivery of a group performance ‘excellence dashboard’ which demonstrates the quality of the service we provide to patients, customers and for our own people
* Ensure that the group tax compliance is highly robust, including the requirements of the SAO and CCO regimes
* Ensure that system and process developments are consistent to the business needs over the plan period and liaise with shared service contacts to ensure that these are cost effective and timely
* Challenge the cost base across the entire Group to support Group profitability
* Proactively manage cash flow, including accurate monthly cash forecast requirements, financing decisions and capital expenditure planning
* Manage the 3rd party senior debt, manage relationships with lenders, compliance with lending arrangements and forecasting of lending covenants
* Provide commercial support to Group Leadership Team in support of complex agreements, market evaluation, determination and execution of strategy
* Lead a focused FP&A function that facilitates the completion of the annual budget on a timely basis with buy in from all key stakeholders:
* Provide rigour and control over the annual budget process for the Group so that it is consistent and owned
* Provide analysis of investments (including complex capital expenditure) including liaising with the Group tax resource to ensure appropriate corporate structuring is put in place
* Ensure that the group audit is managed for each legal entity and the group to deliver clean audit reports for each company
Person Requirements:
* Accounting qualification (ACCA, CIMA or ACA)
* Proven experience with M&A activity including assessment, due diligence and integration
* Played a proactive role in identifying and developing strategic options and plans which has allowed a business to maximise its revenue, profit growth and shareholder value.
* Strong group finance at a senior/director level
* Proven ability and clear evidence of success as an experienced finance leader in a business services environment.
* Strong operational focus and experience of driving major operational and structural change both within finance and the business. Able to simplify the business processes and activities.
* Proactive functional leadership and development; experience in reorganising finance function, improving processes, systems and talent.
* Sophisticated understanding of financial process and control, experience of establishing strong FP&A function.
* Track record of handling complex corporate issues, e.g. M&A.
* Able to demonstrate an effective working relationship with a CFO and C-Suite members, and the understanding of how that relationship can help drive a business forward.