CFO

Paul Card Recruitment; Preston-on-Tees; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency is seeking a Chief Financial Officer for a high-growth, PE-backed business located in Preston-on-Tees. This role requires hands-on leadership to shape the finance function and influence growth strategies. The ideal candidate will have robust experience in M&A and financial control, along with the ability to communicate effectively at board level. Initially office-based to establish relationships, with an eventual hybrid working model available. Competitive compensation includes equity opportunities.

Qualifications

• CFO/FD-level leadership within a growing, complex or multi-site environment.
• Strong M&A experience, including leading or supporting financial due diligence.
• Investor and lender-facing experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the finance function end-to-end; strengthen governance and elevate quality of reporting.
• Own financial control, governance, compliance, and risk management.
• Enhance reporting, forecasting, and analysis for better decision-making.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Leadership

M&A expertise

Financial forecasting

Strategic communication

Education

Fully qualified (ACA / ACCA / CIMA or equivalent)

Job description

Are you a commercially focused CFO who can combine hands-on leadership with strategic influence at board level?

Are you looking to join a high-growth, PE-backed business where you can shape the finance function and influence the next phase of growth?

This multi-site UK business is seeking a commercially focused Chief Financial Officer to join their executive team. This is a business-critical hire, they are seeking a CFO who can be in post quickly. (Candidates should be in a position to start within three months.)

The role will require you to be office based (typically five days) initially, to build relationships and get fully embedded in the detail. Once established, there is scope for hybrid flexibility.

You will act as the financial right-hand to the CEO and CCO, providing insight, challenge and financial discipline to support decision-making across the business. The package is competitive for the right individual, with meaningful equity and a clear pathway for the role to develop into a broader group remit over time.

The Role

• You will lead the finance function end-to-end, strengthening governance and elevating the quality and pace of reporting, while supporting strategic initiatives and acquisition activity.
• Full ownership of financial control, governance, compliance and risk management
• Enhancing reporting, forecasting and analysis to support faster, better decision-making at SLT and board level
• Partnering with senior leaders to optimise performance, profitability and efficiency
• A leading role in M&A, including financial due diligence and integration planning
• Improving systems, processes and MI to ensure scalability and transparency as the business grows
• Managing key external relationships including banks, investors and auditors
• Developing a high-performing finance team, with a clear succession plan

First 3 to 6 months

• Your initial focus will be on establishing a strong foundation
• Shortening the month-end close and improving consistency and controls
• Coaching the team and setting clear standards, cadence and accountability
• Improving the quality of MI, forecasting and decision support
• This will create a platform for the role to step into a wider group agenda as the business continues to scale.

What you will have

• Fully qualified (ACA / ACCA / CIMA or equivalent)
• CFO / FD-level leadership within a growing, complex or multi-site environment
• Strong M&A experience, including leading or heavily supporting financial due diligence
• Investor and lender-facing experience preferred (PE exposure helpful but not essential)
• Exposure to multi-site, multi-entity or complex group structures would be beneficial
• Commercially astute and credible at board level, able to communicate clearly and influence effectively

If you are looking for a high-impact CFO role combining hands-on leadership with strategic influence and clear equity upside, please get in touch or click 'Apply