Our client, a fast growing and profitable PE backed consumer services company, is seeking a commercial Chief Financial Officer (CFO) who will act as a key strategic partner to the CEO and Board, driving growth and profitability as they seek to prepare the business for an exit. Responsible for ensuring the provision of high-quality management information and data to support confident, business-critical decision-making, the incoming CFO will need to have a keen understanding of the dynamics of a PE backed business working with leveraged PE structures. A key part of the role will be to drive a series of specific, well defined profit improvement initiatives ahead of the exit and previous experience of working in an 'operationally complex' businesses, serving consumers would be beneficial, as would experience leading a PE exit. The CFO will bear ultimate responsibility for all finance-related activities within the company, ensuring rigorous financial controls are embedded throughout the organization, and must possess excellent communication skills, able to communicate effectively across all areas of the business whilst acting as a primary point of contact for stakeholders.
Responsibilities
- Provide strategic support to the senior management team in the creation and delivery of their growth strategy,
- Lead M&A activities from a finance perspective, including financial and Tax DD
- Post-merger integration planning
- Oversee all financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, cash flow management, and risk assessment.
- Develop and maintain robust financial controls and processes to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
- Monitor and analyse financial performance, identifying areas of improvement and recommending corrective actions as needed.
- Manage treasury and cash optimisation programmes, ensuring strategic decisions are based on cash and liquidity risks
- Lead on organic profit improvement initiatives
- Provide timely and accurate financial information to internal stakeholders, investors, and board members.
- Managing the annual audit process and ensuring rigorous compliance with all relevant financial reporting requirements.
- Build and lead a high-performing finance team, providing guidance, coaching, and mentorship.
Requirements
- Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
- Proven track record as a CFO in private equity-backed businesses
- Experience working with a CEO providing broader commercial and strategic value
- Experience of improving internal processes
- M&A experience and post-merger integration
- Change management experience/ business transformation experience advantageous
- Experience of delivering value to shareholders through successful exits either PE and/or Trade
- Exceptional leadership and management skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a results-oriented mindset
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and adapt to changing priorities.
- A ‘hands-on’ mentality, able to work independently with a small support team
- Team player
