Chief Financial Officer

The Kennel Club; London; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading organization is seeking a Chief Financial Officer to guide its financial strategy. This pivotal role requires extensive CFO experience, as the successful candidate will drive financial performance, oversee budgeting, and foster a commercially minded culture. You'll manage the finance team while ensuring compliance and enabling growth through insightful analysis and strategic leadership.

Qualifications

• Extensive CFO experience in dynamic environments.
• Strong grasp of financial laws and performance management principles.
• Proven ability to embed a risk management culture.

Responsibilities

• Directing budgeting, forecasting, and reporting.
• Leading financial operations and compliance.
• Optimizing cash flow and evaluating investment opportunities.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical Skills

Financial Strategy

Decision Making

Risk Management

Education

Qualified Accountant

Tools

Financial Software Implementation

Job description

Permanent - Full Time

Location: London/Hybrid

Salary: Competitive

Closing date: 6 June 2025

First interviews week commencing: 9 June and 16 June 2025

The Kennel Club is embarking on an ambitious growth journey and seeks an exceptional Chief Financial Officer to steer our financial strategy.

You will own the end-to-end finance agenda: directing budgeting, forecasting and reporting; embedding rigorous controls, risk management and procurement best practice; and leading the roll-out of a modern finance system that turns data into actionable insights. Clear, user-friendly dashboards will give real-time visibility of performance while holding budget owners to account.

A champion of cultural change, you'll foster commercial thinking across the organisation, build a high-performing Finance team and embed a value-for-money mindset in everything we do. You'll evaluate opportunities, optimise cash and capital structure, and represent The Kennel Club to banks, auditors and investors.

We're looking for a qualified accountant with extensive CFO experience in dynamic environments, proven success driving strategy, systems and cost discipline, and the gravitas to influence at senior levels If you pair analytical excellence with collaborative leadership and a passion for purpose-driven growth, we'd love to meet you.

Please see full job description below:

The CFO will be responsible for directing and overseeing all financial activities, including the preparation of financial reports, budgets, financial planning, risk, procurement and planning. They are responsible for driving the RKC's strategic direction by providing financial leadership and aligning fiscal strategy with long-term objectives.

Job Purpose:

To play a leading role in the development and implementation of the growth strategy for The Kennel Club.

Providing in-depth and insightful analysis ensuring evidence-based decision making.

Accountabilities and Deliverables:

• Overseeing all financial operations and direct corporate financial planning and structure.
• Coordinating, analyzing, and reporting the financial performance to Management and Board of Directors (financial performance, projections, and other special projects as required).
• Preparing short and long-term financial forecasts of financial performance for use with internal management and external parties.
• Overseeing the audit and tax functions, coordinate activities with outside audit firms, and review firms' performance.
• Managing the development, implementation, and maintenance of accounting and administrative policies and procedures for a wide-ranging set of activities including financial accounting and reporting.
• Overseeing and owning the budget process and guiding cross-functional teams in creating, maintaining, and reporting against financial goals.
• Supporting senior leadership in operational strategy, including developing and refining business models, assessing new initiatives, and participating in key decisions as a member of the executive team.
• Leading financial due diligence of business projects and product development, including financial and tax guidance on any proposed business projects, for example joint ventures or partnerships.
• Overseeing compliance with all regulations as well as professional standards.
• Managing the development and implementation of effective internal controls to ensure the integrity of all financial reporting and practices.
• Representing the company to financial partners, including financial institutions, investors, auditors, public officials, etc.
• Overseeing the implementation of a new financial system, forecasting and reporting that support the RKC growth plans.
• Embedding financial practice and financial competency across the organisation.
• Embedding cultural change within the organisation to ensure a more commercially minded approach.
• Managing capital structure, including debt and equity financing, to optimise the company's financial position and cost of capital.
• Evaluating investment opportunities and potential acquisitions to support the company's growth strategy. Conduct due diligence and financial analysis for potential mergers and acquisitions.
• Overseeing cash flow planning and management to maintain liquidity and optimise cash resources.
• Managing relationships with banks and financial institutions to secure competitive financing and banking arrangements.
• Manage The Kennel Club's procurement service incorporating the best practice for the size and type of organisation, supporting and training KC staff to enable them to carry out procurement practices in line with policy and playing a leading role in major procurement projects. Ensuring value for money
• Embed a risk management culture into TKC, driving a robust process with the RAC and Board
• Drive and deliver the strategy, including development of the corporate plan. Working closely with Executive and Board. Ensure alignment with the budget and financial commitments.

Key Performance Indicators:

• To review the current accuracy of the financial position of the RKC and discuss with the Board.
• Establish the annual RKC budget. Ensuring department and budget holders are accountable for all budgetary control, including embedding a financial awareness culture.
• Develop the newly appointed Finance team to ensure robust processes, procedures and controls are adopted throughout the organisation.
• Recommend the purchase of an end-to-end finance system to take the RKC to 2028.
• Develop consistent Board, executive and budget holder reporting with clear, user-friendly, high-quality visuals.
• Control the business case financials, project budget and monitor the benefits of projects to ensure P&L delivery.
• To oversee the delivery of a clean year end and audit, a quality annual report and AGM pack.
• Cultural change to a commercial approach and product profitability.
• Embed a risk management culture.
• Reduce costs by embedding a procurement process and ensuring value for money with key suppliers
• Deliver a robust strategy, supported by an achievable corporate and financial plan.

Knowledge and Experience

• A strong background in finance and accounting, proven leadership abilities, and the ability to thrive in a challenging environment.
• Qualified accountant with proven experience in changing environments.
• Extensive experience in a previous CFO role.
• Strong understanding of finance and performance management principles.
• Excellent knowledge of corporate financial law and risk management practices.
• Solid knowledge of financial analysis and forecasting.
• Experience in implementing accounting and financial software.
• Strong analytical, presentation and influencing skills at a senior/board level.
• Experience of strategic planning, engaging exec and Board to ensure delivery.
• Experience of embedding a risk management culture.
• Experience across a variety of business projects including joint ventures and partnerships.
• Experience of developing and embedding robust procurement processes.

Equal Opportunities & Diversity

The Kennel Club welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010.