Financial Controller

Hayward Hawk; Belfast; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A growing engineering and innovation group is seeking a Group Financial Controller to lead global finance operations. This newly created position offers the opportunity to shape scalable financial processes and strengthen controls in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate will have a professional accounting qualification, at least 7 years' experience, and a proven track record in leading finance teams. A highly competitive package and hybrid working model are offered.

Benefits

Highly competitive package

Hybrid working model

Work From Home

Flexible culture

Qualifications

• 7+ years' post-qualification experience in finance.
• Proven track record leading multijurisdictional finance teams.
• Experience managing tax compliance and audits.

Responsibilities

• Lead monthly accounting close and consolidation.
• Develop financial policies and internal controls.
• Provide financial insights to senior leadership.
• Streamline global accounting processes.
• Oversee group treasury and working capital management.

Skills

Strong technical knowledge of accounting standards

Exceptional attention to detail

Analytical capability

Excellent communication skills

Experience managing audits

Education

Professional qualification (ACA/ACCA/CPA)

Tools

ERP systems (e.g. Sage Intacct, NetSuite)

Job description

Hayward Hawk is proud to be partnering with a rapidly expanding engineering and innovation group with operations across the UK, Europe, and North America, as they seek to appoint a Group Financial Controller to lead their global finance operations.

This is a newly created position, reflecting the organisation’s strong growth trajectory and ambitious international plans. The successful candidate will join at a pivotal time, playing a key role in shaping scalable financial processes, strengthening controls, and supporting the business as it continues to expand globally.

The role offers an exceptional opportunity for an experienced, hands-on finance leader who enjoys the mix of technical excellence, process improvement, and commercial collaboration in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

The Role

• Lead all aspects of monthly accounting close and consolidation across multiple international entities.
• Develop robust financial policies, processes, and internal controls to support scalable growth.
• Ensure compliance with relevant accounting standards (UK and US GAAP) and local reporting requirements.
• Oversee preparation of consolidated statutory financial statements and manage the annual audit process.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with operations, legal, HR, and commercial teams
• Provide financial insight to senior leadership to inform strategy and improve performance.
• Lead initiatives to enhance reporting quality, margin analysis, and financial transparency across business units.

• Oversee the ongoing design and implementation of a new ERP / Financial Management System.
• Streamline global accounting processes, ensuring data consistency, efficiency, and scalability.
• Work with technology and operations teams to automate reporting and improve systems integration.

• Coordinate with external advisors to ensure timely and accurate tax compliance across jurisdictions.
• Oversee group treasury, banking relationships, and working capital management.

The Person

• Professionally qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CPA or equivalent).
• At least 7 years’ post-qualification experience, ideally gained across both practice and industry.
• Proven track record leading multijurisdictional finance team
• Strong technical knowledge of accounting standards (US GAAP or IFRS).
• Experience managing audits, external service providers, and global compliance activities.
• Skilled in implementing or managing ERP systems (e.g. Sage Intacct, NetSuite, or similar).
• Exceptional attention to detail, analytical capability, and organisational skills.
• Excellent communicator with the ability to influence and partner effectively across all levels.

Why Apply?

• Highly competitive package
• Hybrid working model and flexible culture.
• The opportunity to join a business on a high-growth trajectory with genuine international scale.
• Significant autonomy and visibility at senior leadership level.

For more information, contact Gemma Murphy in confidence.

Benefits:
Work From Home