Chief Financial Officer

SF Search Partners; Manchester; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

SF Search Partners is seeking a CFO for a PE-backed SaaS business in Manchester. You will lead finance, partner with the CEO and sponsor, and own reporting, planning and exit readiness.

The role requires ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent, strong leadership, and a track record in buy‑and‑build with exits or investment experience. You will shape strategy and drive value creation across the platform.

Qualifications

• Board and investor reporting with SaaS metrics (ARR, NRR, CAC, LTV).
• Financial planning, forecasting and cash management.
• Leading M&A activity from due diligence to post‑deal integration.
• Managing lender and funding relationships.
• Strengthening systems, controls and the finance team as the group scales.
• Preparing the business for a premium exit with vendor due diligence and equity story.

Responsibilities

• Lead the finance function and act as strategic partner to the CEO and PE sponsor.
• Deliver board and investor reporting with key SaaS metrics.
• Drive FP&A, cash management and budgeting processes.
• Oversee M&A activity and post‑deal integration.
• Strengthen internal controls and finance team capabilities.
• Position the business for an enterprise‑level exit.

Skills

Strategic leadership

SaaS/tech finance

M&A experience

Board communication

PE-backed environment

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent

Job description

PE-Backed SaaS business | £20m ARR and Growing | Buy-and-Build | £300m+ Exit Ambition

A high-growth, PE-backed SaaS business is looking for an exceptional CFO to join its leadership team in Manchester, at a defining point in its journey.

With £20m ARR and strong momentum, the business has already completed acquisitions and will continue to pursue M&A as part of its growth strategy. The investment thesis is clear: scale the platform, integrate and extract value from acquisitions, and deliver a successful exit at an enterprise value of £300m+.

Reporting to the CEO and working in close partnership with the PE sponsor, you will lead the finance function and act as a true strategic partner to the business. Your remit will include:

• Board and investor reporting, with SaaS metrics (ARR, NRR, CAC, LTV, churn) at the core
• Financial planning, forecasting and cash management
• Leading M&A activity, from due diligence and deal structuring through to post-deal integration
• Managing lender and funding relationships
• Strengthening systems, controls and the finance team as the group scales
• Preparing the business for a premium exit, including vendor due diligence and equity story development

You will be a qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent) with experience in a high-growth, PE-backed software or SaaS environment. You will have a proven track record in buy-and-build and ideally have been through an exit or investment process. Commercial instincts, strong leadership, and the credibility to influence at board and investor level are essential.

This is a rare chance to play a central role in a compelling value-creation story and share in the upside.