CFO PE-Backed Multisite Education business

JR United Kingdom; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading PE-backed education business in the UK is seeking a strategic CFO to drive financial performance and lead the finance function through transformation. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in managing financial processes, engaging with stakeholders, and driving growth in a complex environment.

Qualifications

• Experience as a divisional Finance Director or Financial Controller in a PE-backed environment.
• Expertise in managing financial processes and relationships with local authorities.
• Experience managing multi-site operations and complex stakeholder relationships.

Responsibilities

• Drive financial performance and support business growth.
• Lead the finance function through transformation and embed strong KPIs.
• Engage regularly with the Board and external stakeholders for compliance.

Skills

Financial processes management

Stakeholder relationship management

Transactional experience

Growth-focused approach

Job description

Marks Sattin Executive Search is partnering with a PE-Backed Multisite Education business to appoint a commercially astute and strategic CFO.

This is a key leadership role, with responsibility for driving financial performance, supporting continued growth, and preparing the business for a successful exit, while also shaping its journey beyond that milestone.

The business requires a CFO who can confidently navigate a complex stakeholder environment. This includes regular engagement with the Board, private equity sponsors, lending banks, and external stakeholders. The successful candidate will ensure rigorous financial controls, robust reporting structures, and full compliance with both regulatory and transparency requirements, particularly those set by public sector partners.

As a central figure in the business’s next stage of evolution, you will lead the finance function through a period of transformation and expansion. This includes day-to-day management of finance operations, delivering high-quality, timely reporting, and embedding strong KPIs, governance, and financial frameworks that support strategic decision-making and sustainable growth.

Uniquely the client would consider candidates stepping into their first standalone CFO role within a PE-backed environment, particularly those currently operating at Divisional Finance Director or Financial Controller level who bring the right blend of commercial insight, operational rigour, and leadership capability.

The Ideal candidates:

• Experience as a divisional Finance Director or Financial Controller in a PE-Backed ideally within the consumer services sector business or a business providing services to public sector partners.
• Proven expertise managing financial processes and building strong relationships with local authorities.
• Demonstrable transactional experience, including acquisitions, integrations, consolidations, and successful private equity exits.
• Experience managing multi-site operations and complex stakeholder relationships.
• A hands-on, growth-focused approach, with practical experience in successfully implementing financial change in regulated environments.

Due to the high level of applications, we can only reply to those candidates with relevant experience.