Buy and Build PE Backed Professional Services

Marks Sattin; Manchester; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Marks Sattin Executive Search is working with a Buy and Build PE backed professional services business to appoint a commercially driven CFO. Based in Manchester, this hands-on finance leader will partner with the senior leadership team to professionalise the finance function and implement scalable systems, controls and reporting infrastructure to support growth and future acquisitions.

The role focuses on revenue productivity, sales performance, headcount and utilisation metrics, forecasting and

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant ACA/ACCA/ACMA with strong financial leadership experience.
• Experience as CFO in a PE-backed organisation, preferably in professional/services.
• Proven track record of integrating finance and operations, implementing systems, pricing strategies, and robust reporting.
• Experience operating in KPI-driven environments with high transactional activity and performance reporting.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all financial operations and governance to support scale and growth.
• Lead implementation of finance systems, controls, and MI with cross-functional parity.
• Drive revenue productivity, pricing strategy, margin improvement and working capital management.
• Develop robust forecasting and reporting processes to enable informed decision making.

Skills

Analytical

Commercial acumen

Stakeholder management

Education

ACA/ACCA/ACMA

Job description

Marks Sattin Executive Search is working with a Buy and Build PE Backed Professional Services business on an exciting growth platform. In search of a commercially driven CFO to work closely with the senior leadership team and supporting the next phase of growth, with a particular focus on professionalising the finance function and implementing the systems, controls, and reporting infrastructure required to support a scalable business and future acquisition activity.

As CFO, you will play a pivotal role in enhancing financial performance across the group. You will oversee all financial operations, ensuring robust governance and scalable systems to support continued expansion. A key focus will be integrating finance and operational functions, implementing systems that improve efficiency and scalability, and enhancing the quality and visibility of financial and operational MI. This will include revenue productivity, sales performance, headcount analysis, utilisation metrics, forecasting, and working capital management. You will also lead the development of effective pricing strategies, drive margin improvement, and establish robust reporting processes to support informed decision-making, strengthen financial control, and deliver sustainable growth.

This is a fantastic opportunity for a hands-on, strategic finance leader who thrives in a fast-paced, high-growth environment and enjoys the challenges of building structure, driving operational improvement, and transforming finance functions.

The ideal candidate:

• A qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/ACMA).
• Previous experience of working as a CFO in a PE Backed business, ideally within business services, professional services, consultancy, or other people-led, KPI-driven environments.
• Proven experience in integrating operational and finance functions, implementing systems, developing pricing strategies, improving margin performance, and establishing robust reporting processes.
• Experience working within people-led, KPI-driven environments with high levels of transactional activity and operational performance reporting.
• Highly analytical, commercially astute, and technically strong with attention to detail.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills, with a proven ability to operate at pace and drive change.

Please understand that due to the expected high number of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly.