Head of Finance

Buro Happold; Bath; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Buro Happold is seeking a Head of Finance based in Bath, UK, to lead financial operations across multiple business units. The role involves overseeing financial performance, managing risks, and supporting strategic objectives. Ideal candidates are qualified accountants with significant experience in highly commercial environments. This position offers a range of employee benefits, including flexible working options.

Benefits

Generous holiday entitlement

Private Medical Insurance

Company Pension Scheme

Life Assurance

Income Protection

Discretionary bonus scheme

Qualifications

• Significant post-qualification experience in a commercial environment.
• Experience in professional services or engineering would be advantageous.
• Ability to prioritise and meet tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Drive the financial performance of three business units.
• Manage commercial risks and ensure financial compliance.
• Provide financial decision support to executives.

Skills

Commercial control

Leading finance teams

Organisational skills

Intermediate Excel skills

Education

Qualified accountant

Job description

Buro Happold is recruiting a Head of Finance to oversee the financial performance for three of our UK business units,

Based from our Bath office and reporting into the UK Chief Operating Officer, the Head of Finance will play a vital role in building the company's reputation with employees, customers, and other stakeholders, and will also provide support to the Human Resources Leadership Team for HR related projects, administration and support services.

This is a commercially focussed and autonomous finance leadership role that includes providing tight financial & operational control, and managing all aspects of the finance function along with providing support to the UK Finance leadership team.

Here at Buro Happold, expect the exceptional.

From career-defining opportunities to an inclusive and diverse practice where we all contribute to a more equitable world. From our reputation to our relationships. Wherever your Buro Happold career takes you, it'll be anything but ordinary.

Key Duties:

• Drive all aspects of the commercial and financial performance of three business units.
• Act as key business partner to the COO, implementing strategy and formulating tactical plans.
• Maintain control over all commercial aspects of projects including: operational controls, cash, credit and risk management.
• Manage commercial risk to ensure that risks are identified, evaluated and mitigated or escalated where appropriate.
• Build Collaborative relationships with stakeholders including Project Principals, Group Directors, and Partners to ensure financial alignment to the UK strategy.
• Control and manage all commercial and financial aspects of running the UK business units.
• Manage the finance function including the provision of:
• Monthly management and project information
• Quarterly financial reporting and the associated controls
• Providing Financial and Commercial decision support for Senior Executives and Engineering teams
• Controlling the integrity of financial data, particularly revenue recognition
• Controlling local finance systems and processes
• Preparing budgets and forecasts
• Preparing and delivering board reports
• Controlling and managing regional office costs
• Compiling any ad hoc reports and information requests
• Liaising with other Group and Regional finance teams.

Required Skills:

• Qualified accountant, with relevant significant post qualification experience in highly commercial environment and operating at a similar level of responsibility
• Able to demonstrate proactive commercial control over a wide range of situations
• Proven ability to effectively lead finance teams within multiple office environment
• Highly organised with the proven ability to prioritise and work to tight deadlines
• Experience of professional services or engineering and construction industries would be an advantage
• Intermediate Excel skills, (VLookups, Pivot Tables) required
• Experience of the following would be an advantage:
• Long Term project accounting
• Working as part of an international, matrix managed business
• Consulting Engineering or Professional Services business.

What we offer:

• Generous holiday entitlement of 25 days per annum, exclusive of Bank Holidays.
• Hybrid working arrangements.
• Private Medical Insurance (family cover)
• Company Pension Scheme.
• Life Assurance.
• Income Protection.
• Flexible Benefits - including Cycle scheme, Dental insurance, Optical Cover, Travel insurance and Corporate discounts.
• Discretionary bonus scheme.

A place for everyone

Buro Happold values an individual's flexible approaches to working patterns as an important part of how you work and achieve balance. We welcome applications from those who are seeking flexibility in their careers.

Our exceptional portfolio of projects is the result of the diversity of thought, identities, backgrounds, and experiences that shape us. Appreciating each other's differences is key, we want employees to feel they don't have to mask elements of their identity to thrive.

We are working to change the lack of representation of marginalised groups in the built environment. We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who feels they are underrepresented in the industry. We have much to learn from one another. Embracing differences allows us to develop the most innovative and elegant solutions.

Please let us know if there are any adjustments we could make to the application process to make it easier and more comfortable for you. Contact [e-mail] so we can work with you to support you throughout your application.