Group CFO Operating Partner

Austin Matley Ltd; England; On-site; GBP 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

Austin Matley Ltd. is recruiting a Group Chief Financial Officer to lead Group Finance and act as an Operating Partner, driving performance improvements and value creation across the portfolio.

You will shape investment readiness, M&A activity and future growth, leveraging technology, data and AI to deliver clearer financial visibility and strategic insight. A senior commercial mindset and track record of delivering measurable results are essential.

Qualifications

• ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent international accountancy qualification.
• Strong financial leadership experience, including forecasting, modelling, cash and margin management.
• International, multi-entity and multi-currency experience.
• Exposure to private equity or a PE-style environment with hands-on M&A and buy-and-build experience.
• Experience in an Operating Partner or portfolio value creation role.
• Confidence using technology, data, automation and AI to drive business performance.
• ERP transformation experience would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead Group Finance, financial strategy, forecasting, budgeting and management reporting.
• Drive profitability through cash flow, working capital, margin and cost management.
• Act as an Operating Partner, helping businesses improve performance through structured 100-day plans.
• Use technology, data and AI-enabled insights to strengthen financial visibility and commercial performance.
• Develop the Operating Partner model into a scalable, profitable proposition, tracking returns and value created.
• Lead the financial aspects of investment readiness, M&A, buy-and-build activity and post-acquisition integration.
• Support funding strategy, capital structure and future growth.
• Build and develop a high-performing finance team, partnering closely with the CEO and wider C-suite.

Skills

Strategic finance

Forecasting

Financial modelling

Cash management

Data-driven decisions

M&A exposure

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA

Tools

ERP systems

Data analytics tools

Job description

We have been exclusively appointed to recruit a Group Chief Financial Officer for an ambitious, growth-focused business with a distinctive value creation strategy.

This is more than a traditional CFO role. Alongside leading Group Finance, you’ll act as a key Operating Partner, working with the wider C-suite to improve business performance, unlock enterprise value and support investment-led growth.

You’ll help develop a scalable model that combines leadership expertise, technology and data-driven decision-making to transform smaller businesses through structured 100-day improvement plans. You’ll also play a key role in investment readiness, M&A and the Group’s future growth strategy.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Group Finance, financial strategy, forecasting, budgeting and management reporting.


• Drive profitability through effective cash flow, working capital, margin and cost management.


• Act as an Operating Partner, helping businesses improve performance through structured 100-day plans.


• Use technology, data and AI-enabled insights to strengthen financial visibility and commercial performance.


• Develop the Operating Partner model into a scalable, profitable proposition, tracking returns and value created.


• Lead the financial aspects of investment readiness, M&A, buy-and-build activity and post-acquisition integration.


• Support funding strategy, capital structure and future growth.


• Build and develop a high-performing finance team, partnering closely with the CEO and wider C-suite.

About You

You’ll be an experienced senior finance leader, ideally at Group CFO or divisional CFO level, with a strong commercial mindset and a track record of delivering measurable results.

You’ll bring:

• ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent international accountancy qualification.


• Strong financial leadership experience, including forecasting, financial modelling, cash and margin management.


• International, multi-entity and multi-currency experience.


• Exposure to private equity or a PE-style environment, alongside hands‑on M&A and buy-and-build experience.


• Experience in, or a strong appetite for, an Operating Partner or portfolio value creation role, including structured improvement plans.


• Confidence using technology, data, automation and AI to drive business performance.

ERP transformation experience would be advantageous.

You’ll be a strategic thinker who is equally comfortable rolling up your sleeves, building relationships and leading businesses through change.

The Opportunity

A chance to combine senior finance leadership with hands‑on business transformation, investment strategy and enterprise value creation - shaping not only financial performance, but how businesses grow.