Head of Finance

Navigators; Manchester; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A dynamic organization in the UK is seeking a Head of Finance to establish a high‑performing finance function. The role involves providing strategic financial leadership, oversight of financial reporting and compliance, and enhancing cash flow and budgeting processes. Candidates should possess strong technical accounting knowledge and proven senior finance leadership experience. This position offers a full-time, permanent contract within a values-driven culture that supports organizational growth and sustainability.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a senior finance leader.
• Demonstrable success in building financial structure and governance.
• Strong technical accounting and reporting expertise.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead a high‑performing finance function.
• Oversee accurate, timely preparation of financial reports.
• Design and implement cash forecasting and management systems.
• Lead annual budgeting and performance analysis.
• Develop actionable Management Information (MI).
• Ensure compliance with due diligence standards in transactions.
• Strengthen and develop the finance team and processes.

Skills

Strategic Financial Leadership

Commercial Acumen

Technical Expertise

Analytical Capability

Cashflow & Treasury Management

Transaction Readiness

Systems & Process Improvement

Leadership & Team Development

Stakeholder Engagement

Resilience & Adaptability

Education

Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA or equivalent)

Job description

Job title-Head of Finance

Business Area- Organisation-wide

Contract type- Permanent

Working pattern- Full‑time, year‑round

Pay scale- Negotiable

The Head of Finance will establish a professional, high‑performing finance function that delivers financial integrity, clarity and discipline to underpin operational performance and sustainable growth. Acting as a trusted advisor to the Owner and senior leadership team, this role requires an experienced, independently minded leader with the gravitas to uphold sound financial principles and influence strategic decision‑making.

The Head of Finance will build financial control, lead and develop a small but capable internal team, and set a clear standard for best practice across the organisation. Combining strong governance with a collaborative approach, the successful candidate will bring structure, insight and transparency while respecting and working within a values‑driven, founder‑led culture. This role will anchor the business financially, enabling Navigators to grow from strong foundations and achieve long‑term success.

Financial Leadership & Governance

Establish and lead a high‑performing finance function grounded in integrity, independence and professionalism. Serve as the financial conscience of the business, ensuring decisions align with proper standards and commercial reality. Provide objective challenge and strategic guidance to the Owner and senior team.

Financial Reporting & Control

Oversee accurate, timely preparation of management accounts, statutory accounts and regulatory submissions. Standardise reporting formats, account structures and classifications to ensure clarity and consistency. Maintain robust internal controls and compliance with UK GAAP/SME standards. Manage relationships with auditors and external advisors.

Cashflow, Working Capital & Treasury

Design and implement reliable cash forecasting and management systems. Establish and enforce a clear, disciplined dividend and drawings policy. Strengthen debtor management, collections and supplier payment processes. Maintain forward cash visibility to support business continuity and investment planning.

Budgeting, Planning & Financial Analysis

Lead annual budgeting and reforecasting cycles, embedding financial accountability across departments. Introduce structured performance analysis and variance reporting to inform management actions. Build the internal analytical capability to deliver commercially focused insights and management information.

Management Information (MI)

Develop relevant, actionable MI integrating both financial and operational metrics (e.g. student numbers, growth tracker, programme performance). Present clear and consistent insights to the senior leadership and Board. Continuously refine MI to reflect business evolution and strategic priorities.

Transaction & Investment Support

Ensure financial systems and documentation are organised and compliant to meet due diligence standards. Lead financial workstreams in potential transactions, liaising with external advisors and stakeholders. Develop and apply appraisal frameworks for new business initiatives and strategic investments, in view of the next scalability phase.

Team Development & Leadership

Strengthen and upskill the existing finance team, instilling best practice and accountability. Recruit additional capacity (e.g. Financial Analyst) as the function evolves. Foster collaboration, transparency and continuous improvement within the team and across departments. Manage a small finance team, providing clear direction, support and performance oversight to ensure operational excellence.

Skills and Abilities

• Strategic Financial Leadership – Ability to design and lead a robust finance function, embedding governance, accountability and best practice.
• Commercial Acumen – Skilled in balancing financial control with business growth objectives, providing objective challenge and strategic insight to senior stakeholders.
• Technical Expertise – Strong knowledge of UK GAAP/SME standards, statutory reporting and compliance requirements.
• Analytical Capability – Advanced skills in budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis and developing actionable management information (MI) that integrates financial and operational metrics.
• Cashflow & Treasury Management – Proven ability to implement disciplined cash forecasting, working capital optimisation and treasury controls.
• Transaction Readiness – Experience preparing businesses for sale or investment, including due diligence and financial workstream leadership.
• Systems & Process Improvement – Ability to standardise reporting structures, strengthen internal controls and continuously refine processes for clarity and efficiency.
• Leadership & Team Development – Skilled in managing and mentoring a small finance team, fostering collaboration, transparency and continuous improvement.
• Stakeholder Engagement – Strong interpersonal and communication skills to influence and build trust across a founder‑led, values‑driven culture.
• Resilience & Adaptability – Capacity to operate effectively in a dynamic environment, maintaining composure and clarity under pressure.

Experience and Skills:

Proven experience as a senior finance leader. Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA or equivalent). Demonstrable success in building financial structure and governance from a low base. Strong technical accounting and reporting expertise with sound commercial judgement. Integrity, confidence and gravitas to challenge and influence senior stakeholders.

Desirable

Experience within education, social care or related service sectors. Exposure to private equity or transaction environments (buy/sell‑side readiness). Hands‑on, pragmatic approach suited to entrepreneurial and purpose‑driven settings.

Behaviours and Attitudes

• Empathy: Actively listen and understand the perspectives of colleagues and stakeholders, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.
• Integrity: Uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct and financial governance, ensuring decisions are principled and transparent.
• Resilience: Maintain composure and focus under pressure, adapt positively to challenges and drive solutions with confidence.
• Trust: Build strong, credible relationships through reliability, consistency and delivering on commitments.
• Authenticity: Communicate openly and honestly, bringing a genuine approach to leadership and collaboration.
• Commitment: Demonstrate dedication to the organisation’s mission and long‑term success, going above and beyond to achieve goals.
• Honesty: Provide clear, accurate information and constructive feedback, even when conversations are challenging.
• Respect: Treat all individuals with fairness and dignity, valuing diverse viewpoints and promoting a culture of mutual regard.

Declarations

We aim to create and maintain a safe environment and community where all young people and adults feel safe, secure and valued. We work hard to create strong relationships and show a commitment to safeguarding all young people.

Our work is classified as Regulated Activity as defined in the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (SVGA). This role will include regular contact with Children 121 or group setting. This includes those that could be classified as vulnerable and both an understanding of and experience in adhering to UK safeguarding legislation is required.

Further information relating to our Safeguarding, Child Protection, Ex‑offender or Safer Recruitment policies is available upon request.

All applications are assessed on an individual basis in relation to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974.

This post will require the successful candidate to complete our Disclosure Barring Service, Vulnerable Child and Adult register checks as well as reference checks. We may also carry out additional online searches such as social media as part of the selection process.