Chief Financial Officer

Talent4; Greater London; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Talent4 partners with a high-growth, PE-backed consultancy to appoint a commercially minded Chief Financial Officer. With turnover of around £20m and an ambitious growth agenda, this role demands strategic leadership plus operational rigour to shape the future of the business in partnership with the CEO, Board and investors.

As CFO, you will lead the finance function, own budgeting and forecasting, strengthen controls and reporting, and drive performance across the scale-up.

Qualifications

• Experience as a CFO/Finance Director in a growth business.
• Exposure to private equity environments is highly desirable.
• Strong track record in FP&A, governance and business partnering.

Responsibilities

• Lead the finance agenda for the business and provide strategic support to CEO/Board.
• Own budgeting, forecasting, cashflow management and financial planning.
• Deliver high-quality management information, board and investor reporting.
• Strengthen controls, governance and reporting for a PE-backed business.
• Support growth planning, pricing strategy and profitability analysis.
• Partner with operational leaders to improve performance visibility and accountability.
• Oversee treasury, tax, audit and statutory reporting.
• Build and develop a high-performing finance team.
• Lead strategic projects including potential exit readiness.

Skills

CFO experience

Private equity exposure

Strategic finance leadership

Board liaison

Education

ACCA/ACA/CIMA

Tools

ERP systems

MS Excel

BI/reporting tools

Job description

We are partnering with a high-growth, private equity-backed consultancy business to appoint a commercially minded Chief Financial Officer. With turnover of c.£20m and an ambitious growth agenda, the business has built a strong reputation in the market and is now entering its next phase of scale. This is a pivotal appointment for an experienced CFO who can combine strategic leadership with operational rigour, helping to shape the future of the business in partnership with the CEO, Board and investors. This role will suit a hands-on, high-calibre finance leader who thrives in entrepreneurial, fast-paced environments and is excited by the opportunity to create value in a PE-backed setting.

The opportunity

As CFO, you will lead the finance function and act as a key strategic partner to the CEO and private equity sponsors. You will bring clarity to decision‑making, strengthen financial controls and reporting, and help drive performance across the business as it scales. You will play a central role in shaping commercial strategy, improving visibility on performance, and ensuring the business is well positioned for future value creation.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the overall finance agenda for the business, providing strategic and commercial support to the CEO and Board
• Own budgeting, forecasting, cashflow management and financial planning
• Deliver high-quality monthly management information, board reporting and investor reporting
• Strengthen financial controls, governance and reporting processes appropriate for a PE‑backed business
• Support growth planning, pricing strategy, profitability analysis and wider commercial decision‑making
• Partner with operational leaders to improve performance visibility and accountability across the business
• Lead banking, debt, working capital and treasury matters as required
• Oversee tax, audit, compliance and statutory reporting
• Build and develop a high-performing finance team
• Support strategic projects including potential exit readiness

Candidate profile

We are looking for a proven CFO or Finance Director ready to step into a CFO role in a scaled SME environment. You will combine strong technical finance credentials with commercial judgment, credibility and the ability to operate effectively at Board level.

You are likely to bring:

• Experience as a CFO, Finance Director or senior finance leader in a growth business
• Previous exposure to private equity-backed environments
• A strong track record in financial planning, reporting, control and business partnering
• The ability to work both strategically and hands‑on in a growing organisation
• Experience in professional services, consultancy, or technology would be highly attractive
• Strong communication skills and the presence to influence senior stakeholders, investors and the Board
• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualification, or equivalent

This is an opportunity to join a high-quality consultancy at an exciting stage of growth, in a role with genuine strategic influence and equity upside. You will work closely with an ambitious leadership team and investors, with the chance to help shape the next chapter of the business.