Financial Controller - Head of Finance

Hawk 3; Bradford; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

4-day working week option

Direct exposure to senior leadership

Lead finance team

Growing SME environment

Job summary

Hawk 3 is seeking an experienced Financial Controller to lead the finance function at its Bradford base. Reporting to the Managing Director, you will drive performance, ensure robust controls, and provide strategic financial insight across the business.

The role offers a 4-day week option and a hands-on leadership position within a growing SME, with responsibility for a mid-sized team and direct interaction with senior leadership.

Qualifications

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified.
• Proven experience as Financial Controller or Head of Finance.
• Strong financial reporting and management accounting experience.
• Excellent Microsoft Excel skills.
• Ability to present complex financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Experience of Acquisitions, private equity, separate entities and trade by-outs.
• SME experience with turnover in the £50m-£100m+ range.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the finance department.
• Oversee all financial reporting, treasury, insurance and compliance activities.
• Produce weekly, monthly and year-end reporting packs with commentary.
• Drive budgeting, forecasting and financial planning processes.
• Monitor cash flow, working capital and business performance.
• Provide commercial analysis to support key business decisions.
• Partner with operational and commercial teams to improve profitability.
• Develop and enhance financial controls, systems and processes.
• Introduce and monitor relevant KPIs and manage external relationships.

Skills

ACA/ACCA/CIMA

Finance leadership

Financial reporting

Excel

Stakeholder communication

People management

Acquisitions/PE

SME experience

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified

Tools

Sage

Job description

Financial Controller – Head of Finance

Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire (BD4)

Salary: £80,000 - £95,000 per annum

Working Pattern: Full-time, Office-Based

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced and commercially minded Financial Controller to join a well-established and growing business based in Bradford. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will play a key role in leading the finance function, driving financial performance, and supporting strategic business decisions.

This position would suit an ambitious finance professional who enjoys working within a fast-paced SME environment and wants to be part of a senior leadership team where they can make a genuine impact.

The Environment is a relaxed working environment with casual dress code and not corporate at all, culture fit is extremely important for this client.

Working Hours

The business offers flexibility around working patterns:

• 4-day working week with longer working days, or


• 
  Monday to Friday, either:
  
  
  
  • 8:00am - 4:00pm, or
  
  
  • 9:00am - 5:00pm
  
  
  
  

About the Role

As Financial Controller, you will report directly to the Managing Director and have responsibility for overseeing the finance function. You will manage the Accounts & Payroll Manager, who in turn leads a team of approximately 10 employees.

You will be responsible for ensuring robust financial controls, delivering accurate reporting, supporting commercial decision-making, and providing strategic financial insight across the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the finance department.


• Oversee all financial reporting, treasury, insurance and compliance activities.


• Produce weekly, monthly and year-end reporting packs, providing insightful commentary and analysis.


• Drive budgeting, forecasting and financial planning processes.


• Monitor cash flow, working capital and business performance.


• Provide commercial analysis to support key business decisions.


• Partner closely with operational and commercial teams to improve profitability and performance.


• Develop and enhance financial controls, systems and processes.


• Introduce and monitor relevant KPIs across the business.


• Manage relationships with auditors, banks and external financial advisors.


• Support and develop members of the finance team.


• Prepare financial reporting for banking partners.


• Oversee European VAT reporting and international supplier payments.


• Lead or support ad-hoc projects as required.

About You

We are looking for a qualified finance professional who can operate both strategically and operationally within a growing business environment.

Essential Requirements:

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified.


• Proven experience as a Financial Controller, Finance Director or Head of Finance or in a similar senior finance leadership role.


• Strong financial reporting and management accounting experience.


• Excellent Microsoft Excel skills.


• Ability to present complex financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders.


• Strong leadership and people management skills.


• Experience of Acquisitions, private equity, separate entities and trade by-outs


• Commercially focused with excellent analytical abilities.


• Experience operating within an SME environment with annual turnover of approximately £50m-£100m+.


• Ability to work proactively and effectively in a fast-paced business.

Desirable:

• Experience using Sage.

What's on Offer?

• Salary of £80,000 - £95,000 per annum.


• Flexible working pattern including a 4-day working week option.


• Direct exposure to senior leadership and strategic decision making.


• Opportunity to lead and develop an established finance team.


• Join a successful and growing SME where your contribution will directly influence business performance.

Closing date is 22.10.2026 Please note this could change subject to suitable applications.