Head of Finance

Opportunity Brief:  Head of Finance

Ford & Stanley Executive Search (Part of the Ford & Stanley Group) are a leading Executive search firm to the UK, North American and European Engineering, Technology, Sustainability & Heavy Manufacturing industries.

Our search directors, search consultants and research teams specialise in all horizontal functions of our client’s organisation with expertise spanning engineering, commercial, procurement, HR, IT, finance, HSQE, sales, projects, operations and c-suite.

We are trusted by over 100 leading organisations when they seek to make a leadership appointment, be that a permanent appointment or an interim solution.

We have been retained and appointed by a forward thinking and innovative engineering business on the search for a commercially bias and strategic Finance leader.  

Below you will find an ‘opportunity brief’ developed from notes taken during the scoping meeting (Situational Discovery) held between Managing Consultant within the Ford and Stanley Executive Search Team and Managing Director of the business. This brief is designed to give candidates a deeper insight into the opportunity inherent within the role, the challenges the role presents and provide access to the detail that sits behind the job specification.

3 key deliverables within the 1st year:

• ERP optimisation and reconfiguration, fit for the business’s growth ambitions. Leading on business process overhaul and introduction of true governance.
• Business partnering, working with MD and Chairman to secure further investment and accelerate growth.
• Provide clear, concise, and timely financial information to support the delivery of FY25 budget and the business’s 5-year strategy.

3 main challenges that will be encountered in the 1st year:

• Future-proofing the business's ERP system. SAGE does what it needs to currently but needs to be optimised to maximise its suitability as the business grows.
• Internal stakeholder engagement. This role will need to interface heavily with wider functions of the business and rely heavily on robust relationships to influence change.
• Working in an SME environment. Our client is creating a business structure for the future, as such processes and procedures are being established, not currently relied upon.  

Essential Hard Skills (Skills & Experience)

• Strong understanding of the configuration and set-up of ERP systems, preferably SAGE. We will consider candidates with transferable systems experience.
• Commercially biased finance professional with a proven history of “business partnering” with a senior leadership team.
• Ability to introduce robust financial processes, governance, and policies (appropriate to the growth ambitions of the business).
• We will consider candidates who are fully qualified, part qualified and QBE.

Essential Soft Skills (Attributes & Behaviours)

• Executive maturity, ability to “hold their own” when talking to shareholders and the senior leadership team.
• Naturally proactive, will be solutions focused on their approach to work.
• Engaging, strong stakeholder management skills, building robust relationships internally and externally.
• Ability to be “hands-on”, no job is too big or too small (comfortable in an SME environment).

Working Arrangements & Location:

• Candidates to be based out of Leicester primarily.
• We are looking for a present leader, therefore need candidates to be comfortable with being site-based 5 days per week.
• Our client is happy to accommodate the occasional day working from home but would expect this to be in the minority.  

Client Interview Process:

• 1st Stage interview: To be completed by MD
• 2nd Final Stage interview: To be completed by MD in conjunction with Chairman

Ford & Stanley Executive Search Interview Process:

• 1st Stage – Candidate Discovery: An open, conversational and consultative discussion where interested candidates are assessed on their suitability for the role in the context of the above and challenged on how the opportunity lines up with their career aspirations, motivations, financial expectations and personal circumstances.
• 2nd Stage – The ‘shortlist’: Candidates are asked to reflect on the candidate discovery discussion, take time to reflect on the opportunity and undertake subsequent research on the client business reporting back on their thoughts, questions and providing additional specific information on their suitability (if applicable). Final checks of role, package and logistical alignments made.

Budget:

Low: £65,(Apply online only) Mid: £75,(Apply online only) High: £85,(Apply online only) per annum

Supporting benefits

• Car allowance – £5,(Apply online only)
• Pension employer contribution – 5% employer contribution
• Sick pay
• 3x Death in Service
• Annual Salary reviews
• Training, Qualifications and memberships supported

F&S Executive Search – Delivery Team:

• Tom Norton – Business Manager (Client Recommendations/Advisory, Offer Negotiations, Networking)
• Billy Jackson – Managing Consultant (Shortlisting, Offer Negotiations, Headhunting, Networking, Research, Search, Longlisting, Interviews, Data & Market Intel)
• Ralitsa Kuzeva – Executive Assistant (Diary Management, Interview Arrangement, Coordination, Candidate Experience)

About Ford & Stanley Executive Search:

Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group are in the business of people and performance. Our mission is to create one million better workdays through facilitating great recruitment, leadership and occupational mental fitness. We support our clients in their most challenging business areas – recruiting, developing and retaining the best talent from shop floor to boardroom.

1. Ford & Stanley TalentWise – Business specialising in blue collar trade & technical services – permanent and temporary.
2. Ford & Stanley Recruitment – Business specialising in white collar spanning all company functions with specialist verticals within Digital, Rail Engineering, Civils & Infrastructure, General Manufacturing, Supply Chain & Logistics both permanent and contract.
3. Ford & Stanley Executive Search – Business specialising in Executive Search & Executive Interim Solutions in the UK, North America, Middle East and Europe.
4. Ford & Stanley Genius Performance – Performance is always accelerated when good people are coached, inspired, trained and focused in the right way.

Ford & Stanley Talent Services Group Ltd is a Disability Confident employer that is committed to a policy of equal opportunities for all opportunity seekers. We shall adhere to such a policy at all times and will review on an on-going basis all aspects of recruitment to avoid unlawful or undesirable discrimination. We will treat everyone equally irrespective sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, age, disability, colour, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief or political beliefs and we place an obligation upon all staff to respect and act in accordance with the policy.

Services advertised by Ford & Stanley are that of an employment consultancy business.