Job Description

Purpose of Role:

The Head of Finance is a key member of the senior leadership team, responsible for the strategic financial management of the company. This role leads the finance department, providing direction across financial planning, analysis, reporting, budgeting, risk management, and compliance. The Head of Finance is expected to be both a strategic advisor and a hands-on leader, ensuring robust financial systems and processes are in place to support growth, profitability, and operational efficiency.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

Financial Reporting & Analysis:

Produce and improve the monthly and quarterly financial reports to management. Highlight how the margin has moved throughout the contract and if there have been any changes to predicted margins vs actual.

Collaborate with all departments including the Quantity Surveying (QS) department to gain a clear understanding of job performance and margin variances, helping translate numbers into meaningful business insights. Make use of systems and technology to develop increased insights into our financial reporting.

Budgeting & Cost Management:

Work with the tendered price for contracts to ensure that this 'budget' for the contract is reflected and accurately monitored throughout the project lifecycle. Track the variations to this 'budget' throughout the lifecycle of the contracts to gain a better understanding on the variances and the budget success for future forecasting and learning purposes.

The variances are two fold:
1. Variances arising from contractual issues

2. Variances to budget that requires further investigation and analysis.

Work with the QS department to align payments to budgeted figures and conduct post-project analysis to identify causes of over- or under-budget outcomes.

Forecasting & Planning:

Use our systems as a tool for financial forecasting, while continuously adapting for project timeline changes. Drive the creation of accurate short- and long-term forecasts, enabling proactive decision-making.

Working with the QS's to develop valuation forecasts based on agreed programme of works

Head Office Budgeting:

Set annual budgets in collaboration with department heads. Monitor and manage overheads, ensuring that any overspend outside of agreed budgets is reviewed and approved. Improve financial discipline across all departments.

Cash Flow & Working Capital:

Monitor and manage day-to-day cash flow requirements. Anticipate funding needs and support strategic financial planning to ensure adequate working capital.

Working with Response and the QS's to report, monitor and challenge the level of WIP to ensure a reasonable level is maintained.

Cross-Department Collaboration:

Work to foster collaboration between Finance and other departments--particularly the QS, Response and site teams. Promote open communication to support a shared understanding of job financials and encourage data-driven decisions.

Internal Controls & Process Improvements:

Develop and enforce strong financial controls, while identifying opportunities to tighten processes and increase financial transparency across the business. Drive change where necessary to support continued improvement.

Continuously strive to create and stretch efficient processes using technology and other means.

Team Leadership:

Lead, mentor, and develop the Finance team, promoting a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement.

Stakeholder Engagement:

Liaise with external auditors, tax authorities, insurers, and banking partners. Prepare required documentation and ensure compliance with relevant regulations and standards.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Financial Leadership:

Develop and implement financial strategies that align with overall business objectives. Provide financial insight and analysis to support senior level decision-making and long-term planning. Lead financial forecasting, scenario planning, and business modelling.

Financial Reporting & Controls:

Oversee the preparation of timely and accurate financial statements, Senior Management reports, and statutory accounts. Ensure compliance with relevant accounting standards, tax regulations, and governance requirements. Maintain strong internal control systems, policies, and procedures to safeguard the company's assets.

Budgeting & Forecasting:

Lead the company-wide annual budgeting process, including departmental budgets and capital expenditure planning. Monitor financial performance against budgets and forecasts, identifying variances and recommending corrective actions.

Team Leadership & Development:

Lead, manage, and mentor the finance team, developing capability and performance across the function. Promote a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and cross-functional collaboration.
Create a working environment that supports staff to achieve their full potential

Management and mentoring of the finance teams including regular team meetings, performance appraisals and probationary reviews

Implementing and managing KPI's and objectives throughout your teams and driving performance improvements as a result.

Business Partnering & Commercial Support:

Work closely with operational and departmental leaders to understand business drivers and support strategic initiatives. Provide financial guidance on pricing, investment decisions, project appraisals, and commercial contracts.

Cash Flow & Treasury Management:

Manage company cash flow, working capital, and financing requirements. Liaise with banks and other financial institutions to support business funding and company activities. Work to maximise returns on cash balances and investments.

Risk & Compliance:

Lead financial risk management, including credit, operational, and compliance risks. Oversee company insurance, audit processes, and ensure adherence to legal and regulatory standards

Tender Preparation & Analysis

Work as part of the Tendering team to support the commercial aspects of our Tendering process. Analyse bid success and failure and make recommendations on any commercial aspects of tenders to the Senior Management Team.

Evaluate tender price vs actual on contracts and provide analysis to QS's to inform pricing for future tender submissions

No can cover every issue that may arise within the post at various times and the post holder is expected to carry out other duties from time to time which are broadly consistent with those in this job.

The person:

Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent). Proven experience in a senior finance role, ideally within a project or contract-based environment. Strong analytical skills, with a commercial mindset and a hands-on approach to solving problems. Excellent communicator and team leader, capable of building trust across all levels of the business. Confident managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Skilled in financial systems, Excel, and reporting tools.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 43,506.15-93,096.90 per year

Benefits:

Company pension Free parking On-site parking Work from home
Schedule:

Monday to Friday
Work Location: In person

Reference ID: HeadOfFinance
Expected start date: 01/07/2025