Director of Finance & Operations | VC-Backed Cosmetics Scale-Up | London/Hybrid

JR United Kingdom; Slough; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading cosmetics scale-up based in Slough is seeking a Director of Finance & Operations to spearhead financial planning and operations during a major growth period. This high-impact role requires a hands-on leader with retail experience and a Chartered Accountant qualification to aid in strategic decision-making and operational oversight.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience as a leader in finance and operations.
• Experience in Retail businesses is essential.
• Hands-on mentality required.

Responsibilities

• Act as a strategic business partner to the founder.
• Own financial strategy, planning, and reporting.
• Oversee operations including supply chain and logistics.

Skills

Financial Strategy

Operations Management

Investor Relations

Supply Chain Oversight

Education

Chartered Accountant (ACA, CIMA, ACCA or equivalent)

Job description

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Director of Finance & Operations | VC-Backed Cosmetics Scale-Up | London/Hybrid, slough

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Client:

Location:

slough, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

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EU work permit required:

Yes

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Job Views:

2

Posted:

31.05.2025

Expiry Date:

15.07.2025

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Job Description:

Director of Finance & Operations | VC-Backed Cosmetics Scale-Up | London Hybrid

We’re excited to be partnering exclusively with one of the UK’s fastest-growing Cosmetics brands as they enter a major scale-up phase. With a successful retail footprint across global platforms and backing from highly respected investors, the business is building out its executive leadership team to drive the next chapter of growth.

They’re now hiring a commercially minded, strong Director of Finance and Operations to work directly with the founder and leadership team to lead on strategy, financial planning, operations, and investor relations.

The Role

This is a unique opportunity for a strategic finance and operations leader to join a purpose-led, product-focused scale-up at an inflection point.

You’ll own everything from board reporting and forecasting to supply chain, systems, and legal oversight, with the autonomy to shape how the business scales globally. This is a hands-on, high-impact role, well suited to someone who thrives in entrepreneurial, fast-moving environments and is confident navigating the detail as well as long-term growth planning.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a strategic business partner to the founder across all major business decisions
• Own company-wide financial strategy, planning, and reporting
• Lead fundraising materials, modelling, and investor communications
• Oversee operations including supply chain, logistics, and production planning
• Support the commercial and marketing leads with demand forecasting and inventory alignment
• Lead pricing strategy, commercial modelling and performance insight
• Manage all external finance, legal, and supply chain partners
• Build a scalable operating structure with the support of a lean internal team

Experience (Essential)

• Chartered Accountant (ACA, CIMA, ACCA or equivalent)
• Extensive experience as a leader in finance and operations
• Experience in Retail businesses
• Must be hands-on

Experience (Desired)

• Beauty or start-up experience
• Experience of international markets (US)
• Energised by working closely with founders and building something from the ground up

Location: London, Hybrid

Availability: July start

Please feel free to circulate this amongst anyone who you believe may be interested in this opportunity.

At Harmonic, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace. We actively welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and assure you that every candidate will be thoughtfully considered for the roles we represent, without regard to race, religion, gender expression, disability, or sexual orientation.