Head of Finance

EQUANS is looking for a Head of Finance to join our team in Hatfield on a permanent basis. This is a full time role working Monday to Friday. On offer is a competitive salary, company vehicle or allowance, bonus and benefits package.

The main purpose of this role is to take responsibility, ownership and accountability of the successful management and control all aspects of the financial control and cash management within the Division in order to control and maximise the company’s profitability, protect the company’s legal and contractual obligations under the contract and to manage proactively the control of all commercial issues. This is to include providing financial support to supporting commercial teams and senior management across the region utilising experience and knowledge of the industry/field.

In addition, ensuring cost reports and the like are managed, completed on time and monitored together with overseeing all relevant commercial reporting activity necessary within the division.

What will you deliver?

• As a proactive member of the senior management team, you will play a pivotal role in providing timely and accurate management information to the board and divisional finance team. Your responsibilities will include developing and monitoring KPIs to ensure effective operational performance, controlling the regional finance department on a day-to-day basis, and attending monthly board meetings.

• In this role, you will have the opportunity to share best practices across the region and provide regional financial analysis. You will also be responsible for developing procedures and reporting systems, improving the working capital cycle, and enhancing cash balance and profile. Monitoring working capital and cash flow, controlling red flag reporting, and identifying opportunities for improvement will be key aspects of your role.

• As the key point of contact for the regional cashiers department, you will develop and monitor regional cash action plans and monthly cash forecasts. Additionally, you will review staff structures, prepare overhead budgets and forecasts, and ensure overheads are controlled within budget. You will provide detailed variance analysis and contribute to the preparation of the annual budget and monthly forecasts.

• Your role will involve liaising with operational management teams on contractual issues and taking necessary actions. Excellent time management skills will be crucial to meet reporting deadlines as per the monthly reporting timetable. Collaborating closely with commercial teams, you will provide reporting and financial insights on specific contracts from a P&L and cash flow perspective.

• In terms of reporting, you will prepare monthly group finance board reports and quarterly packs, P&L bridges and commentaries, profit forecast bridges and commentaries, and perform monthly/quarterly forecasting. You will also monitor working capital, conduct CVR reviews, analyse billings and order books, and manage cash monitoring and forecasting.

• As a support to commercial and senior management, you will participate in business reviews, site performance review meetings, and commercial meetings. You will have the opportunity to deputise for the Finance Director when required. Your responsibilities will include preparing variance reportage, conducting balance sheet reviews, monitoring and reporting on overheads, and providing financial analysis to aid commercial performance reviews.

Any other reasonable management request

What can we offer you?

On offer is a competitive salary, car or car allowance, bonus and benefits package, which includes;

• 25 days annual leave (+ public holidays)
• Life Cover equivalent to 3x times annual salary
• Employee discount shopping schemes on major brands and retailers
• Gym membership discounts 
• Cycle to work scheme 
• Holiday purchase scheme
• 2 corporate social responsibility days per year
• Broad range of learning opportunities, such as professional qualifications, collective/individual training, and personalized support programmes
• Attractive Employee Referral Rewards Scheme
• Access to our growing employee networks including WiE (Women in EQUANS), RISE (BAME), LGBTQI+, Working Parents, YPN (Young Persons Network) and our Disability Network
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program and access to mental wellbeing app

Who are we looking for?

Essential

• 5 years post qualification experience
• Broad knowledge of financial systems and the ability to provide meaningful analysis
• Intermediate to advance excel skills
• Previous experience in people management
• A proven track record of managing high value projects

Education / Qualifications

• Hold a recognised accounting qualification - CIMA / ACCA / ACA