Chief Financial Officer – Real Estate Operating Platform
A private equity-backed real estate investment group is seeking an experienced Chief Financial Officer to lead the finance function of a recently acquired and highly complex operating business within its portfolio.
This is a pivotal leadership appointment, offering the opportunity to work closely with investors, lenders and senior stakeholders to drive value creation, optimise capital structure and support the next phase of growth.
The successful candidate will bring significant experience within real estate and property-related businesses, ideally having operated as a CFO or in a senior finance leadership role within a leveraged environment. A strong understanding of debt financing, mezzanine structures, taxation, strategic planning and stakeholder management is essential.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and direct all financial operations, ensuring the business is positioned to achieve its strategic and commercial objectives.
- Partner with shareholders and the wider leadership team to develop and execute long-term financial strategy.
- Evaluate and implement optimal funding structures, balancing debt, equity and other financing solutions to support growth and maximise returns.
- Manage relationships with banks, lenders and funding partners, maintaining strong communication and ensuring compliance with all financing arrangements.
- Monitor covenant performance and provide strategic guidance on financing restrictions, refinancing opportunities and future capital requirements.
- Oversee treasury and cash management activities, ensuring effective liquidity planning and robust controls across the business.
- Drive initiatives to improve operational efficiency, profitability and financial performance across all areas of the organisation.
- Review and enhance corporate structures where appropriate to support scalability, tax efficiency and value creation.
- Take overall responsibility for statutory reporting, audit processes and regulatory compliance.
- Lead the development and execution of the company’s tax strategy, ensuring compliance while optimising the overall tax position.
- Deliver insightful management reporting, providing meaningful analysis and recommendations to support decision-making.
- Own the annual budgeting, forecasting and business planning processes, including oversight of capital expenditure programmes.
- Develop and maintain effective risk management frameworks, including oversight of insurance arrangements and asset protection strategies.
- Prepare board papers, financial presentations and strategic analysis for board and investor meetings.
- Provide commercial insight and financial leadership to identify opportunities, mitigate risks and support key business initiatives.
- Act as a trusted adviser to shareholders, asset managers and other stakeholders, providing transparent and timely financial information.
- Oversee the production of weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual reporting packs, ensuring accuracy and relevance for all stakeholders.
Candidate Profile
- Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
- Extensive experience within the real estate sector.
- Current CFO or senior finance executive with exposure to complex operating businesses.
- Strong knowledge of real estate financing structures, including senior debt and mezzanine facilities.
- Demonstrated experience working alongside private equity, institutional investors or similar stakeholders.
- Excellent strategic, commercial and analytical capabilities.
- Proven ability to influence at board level and manage multiple stakeholder groups.
- Hands-on leadership style with the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.
This represents an outstanding opportunity to join a well-capitalised investment platform and play a leading role in shaping the future of a significant real estate operating business.
