Finance Director / Chief Financial Officer – PE‑Backed Construction / Industrial Business
Location: Leeds
Compensation: £150k + package (bonus + equity)
SMC0105
Company Overview
The business is a private equity‑backed construction / industrial services company headquartered in Leeds, generating approximately £10m in annual revenue. Operating on a project‑ and contract‑led delivery model, the company provides specialist construction services to a diversified public and private sector client base.
Following recent private equity investment, the business is executing a clear value‑creation plan focused on revenue growth, contract margin enhancement, improved cash generation and the professionalisation of finance and commercial disciplines across live projects. The PE sponsor is actively supporting the business through its next phase of scale, with ambitions to grow the platform organically and via selective bolt‑on acquisitions, culminating in a medium‑term exit.
To support this agenda, the PE sponsor and management team are seeking a high‑calibre Finance Director / CFO to act as Finance No.1, partner closely with the Managing Director and provide robust financial leadership, transparency and commercial insight. This role is central to value creation and exit preparedness.
Role Summary
The Finance Director / CFO will take full ownership of the finance function, delivering financial leadership, control and commercial insight across a construction business managing multiple live projects and long‑term contracts.
The role requires a strong blend of hands‑on finance execution and strategic, PE‑ready leadership, with particular emphasis on project margin control, WIP/CVR reporting, cash management, forecasting accuracy and contractual risk management. Working closely with the MD, Commercial Director, operational leadership and PE sponsor, the FD / CFO will strengthen financial rigour, improve project‑level visibility and ensure the business remains on track against its value‑creation plan.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as Finance No.1, owning end‑to‑end finance, reporting, governance, statutory compliance and PE‑grade board reporting
- Provide robust project‑level financial insight, including WIP/CVR, margin performance, cost‑to‑complete and risk provisioning
- Partner with commercial and operational teams on tender pricing, contract reviews, variations, claims and negotiations
- Drive EBITDA improvement through tighter cost control, improved estimating discipline and post‑project reviews
- Lead cashflow, working capital and balance sheet management, including debtors, retentions, bonding and contract timing
- Build and scale finance systems, job‑costing tools and performance management cadence aligned to PE requirements
- Support growth, bolt‑on acquisitions and exit readiness through modelling, diligence, integration and high‑quality financial data
Candidate Profile
- Proven Finance Director / CFO or senior finance leader experience within PE‑backed construction, contracting, building services, civils, M&E or fit‑out businesses
- Strong background in contract accounting, including WIP, CVR reporting, retentions and long‑term contract cashflows
- Demonstrable track record of improving project margins, cash generation and financial discipline in delivery‑led environments
- Highly hands‑on, credible at board level and confident challenging operational and commercial assumptions
- Experience operating in a private equity environment, including sponsor reporting, value‑creation initiatives and exit preparation
- Confident communicator, comfortable engaging with investors, lenders, insurers, advisors and senior site‑based stakeholders
- Pragmatic, resilient and commercially minded, suited to fast‑paced, performance‑driven PE settings
