Head of Finance - Group Corporate Services

Lead financial management across Group Corporate Services and help senior leaders understand performance, manage risk and make well-informed commercial decisions. The role has broad ownership of reporting, planning, financial controls, cost management, investment oversight and significant year-end accounting judgements. Working across Group Corporate Services, Financial Control, Commercial Finance and Group Financial Reporting, you will turn complex financial information into clear recommendations and strengthen governance. This is an opportunity for an experienced qualified accountant to lead a finance team, influence senior stakeholders and improve finance processes through automation, artificial intelligence and effective collaboration. 

About the role 

Group Corporate Services brings together the internal services that help the firm grow, manage risk and operate effectively. Within Group Finance and Commercial, the team uses financial data and commercial insight to support decisions, protect profitability and maintain accurate reporting that follows relevant policies. 

Reporting to the Finance Director, you will lead end-to-end financial management for the business area. You will provide senior leaders with practical insight, maintain strong financial governance and create an environment in which the finance team can deliver high-quality work and continue to develop. 

Roles and responsibilities 

• Lead budgeting, three-year financial planning, forecasting, month-end close and management reporting, giving leaders a clear view of performance, risks and opportunities. 

• Translate complex financial and commercial data into focused recommendations that improve decision-making, cost management and financial performance. 

• Maintain accurate accounting for costs, accruals, prepayments and fixed assets, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, accounting standards and firm policies. 

• Strengthen financial controls by identifying, managing and resolving risks and control issues, and by assessing significant accounting judgements before year-end. 

• Oversee the investment portfolio and monitor measures relating to fund drawdown, release and return on investment. 

• Coordinate accurate and timely information for Group Financial Reporting, external auditors, internal audit activity and other stakeholders, ensuring agreed actions are completed. 

• Lead, coach and develop the finance team, setting clear priorities and maintaining high professional standards. 

• Improve finance processes and reporting through offshore support, automation and artificial intelligence, while leading projects and change initiatives across stakeholder groups. 

Experience and skills needed 

• Substantial financial management experience in a large or complex organisation, with evidence of leading budgeting, forecasting, reporting and performance analysis. 

• Experience communicating complex financial matters clearly and influencing senior stakeholders to support commercial decisions. 

• Strong analytical capability, demonstrated through interpreting complex financial data, reviewing models and turning findings into practical recommendations. 

• Sound technical accounting judgement, including experience identifying significant accounting issues and engaging specialist advice when needed. 

• Evidence of leading projects or change initiatives involving multiple stakeholders, competing priorities and defined deliverables. 

• Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel, with experience using technology to improve the quality or efficiency of finance processes; experience applying automation or artificial intelligence in finance is welcomed. 

Qualifications required 

• ACA, ACCA or an equivalent recognised professional accountancy qualification.