Chief Financial Officer

Sowena Group; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in AI and automation is seeking a CFO to drive strategic growth. The role involves partnering with the CEO and investors, leading financial strategy, and executing M&A plans in a dynamic, high-growth environment. Ideal candidates possess a strong finance background, extensive experience in tech, and a strategic mindset.

Benefits

Competitive remuneration

Meaningful equity

Qualifications

• Proven CFO or senior finance leader within a tech or SaaS business.
• Experience leading international M&A and successful exits.
• Experience in scaling finance functions in high-growth environments.

Responsibilities

• Drive growth and value creation through leading financial strategy.
• Execute on international M&A strategy and oversee integration.
• Shape corporate strategy including expansion and pricing models.

Skills

Analytical skills

Financial modelling

Strategic mindset

Communication skills

Education

Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent)

Job description

This range is provided by Sowena Group. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

Direct message the job poster from Sowena Group

CEO & Founder | Senior Finance Executive Search & Selection

Sowena Group have been retained by a cutting-edge, fast-scaling AI company recently backed by a leading private equity firm. With a mission to reshape how businesses harness artificial intelligence across sectors, we are entering an exciting phase of growth that includes a strategic international buy and build campaign. Their innovative product suite, strong customer demand, and significant market opportunity positions them for rapid expansion and a successful exit within a 3–5-year horizon.

The Role:

The CFO will play a pivotal role in driving growth and value creation. You will be a key strategic partner to the CEO and investors, responsible for leading the financial strategy, professionalising the finance function, and executing a disciplined international M&A strategy. This is a hands-on, transformative leadership role ideal for a CFO who thrives in dynamic, high-growth, private equity environments.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership

• Partner with the CEO, Board, and PE sponsors to define and execute the company’s growth and exit strategy.
• Lead financial planning, analysis, forecasting, and reporting to support strategic decision-making.
• Act as a key voice in shaping corporate strategy, including geographic expansion, pricing models, and investment priorities.

Finance Transformation & Operational Excellence

• Professionalise and scale the finance function to match rapid international growth.
• Implement systems, controls, processes, and KPIs to drive performance visibility and scalability.
• Ensure robust financial governance, compliance, and risk management across all jurisdictions.

M&A and Buy & Build Execution

• Lead and execute on the international M&A strategy, including target identification, due diligence, deal execution, and post-merger integration.
• Build a repeatable playbook for efficient integration of acquired businesses.

Stakeholder Management

• Own relationships with investors, auditors, banks, and external advisors.
• Regularly report financial and operational performance to the Board and PE sponsors.
• Prepare the business for a successful exit (trade sale, secondary buyout, or IPO).

Candidate Profile:

• Proven CFO (or senior finance leader) within a private equity-backed business, ideally in tech, SaaS, or within a reoccurring revenue business model.
• Demonstrable track record of leading international M&A (buy & build) and successful exits.
• Experience in scaling finance functions within high-growth environments.
• Strong understanding of subscription-based and/or data-driven business models.

Skills & Attributes:

• Strategic mindset with strong commercial instincts and operational grip.
• Highly analytical with excellent financial modelling and reporting capability.
• Excellent communicator, capable of building trust with internal and external stakeholders.
• Agile, hands-on, and comfortable in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent).

Why Join Us?

• Join at a critical inflection point with a high-potential AI business backed by experienced investors.
• Shape the future of a truly innovative company making waves in AI and automation.
• Be part of a seasoned leadership team with a clear and ambitious plan for international growth and exit.
• Competitive remuneration, meaningful equity, and the chance to make a real mark.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a company at a critical juncture in its growth. For more details, to be considered for this opportunity or to confidentially discuss the market then please reach out to Perran Cooke at Sowena Group or click apply.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Executive

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Finance, Accounting/Auditing, and Strategy/Planning

• Industries

  Technology, Information and Media, IT Services and IT Consulting, and Software Development

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