Head of Finance with progression to FD / CFO

Meraki Talent Ltd; Manchester; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading talent consultancy is seeking a Head of Finance in Manchester. This pivotal role focuses on strategic and commercial finance activities, offering clear progression to Finance Director or CFO. Candidates must be qualified accountants with significant experience in financial management and leadership. A competitive salary plus bonus and benefits are included.

Benefits

Bonus

Strong benefits package

Qualifications

• Significant post-qualification experience in finance.
• Proven track record in financial management or leadership roles.
• Experience in entrepreneurial, lean, and scaling businesses.

Responsibilities

• Partner with SLT, Exec, and Board in strategic activities.
• Own FP&A responsibilities including budgeting and forecasting.
• Lead change and transformation projects within the finance function.

Skills

Financial management

Leadership

Commercial finance

Operational finance

Relationship management

Education

Qualified accountant

Job description

Meraki Talent are supporting the permanent appoint of a Head of Finance based in Manchester paying £, - £, plus bonus & wider benefits package with a clear line of progression to Finance Director / Chief Financial Officer.

The Opportunity

This entrepreneurial group is entering an exciting phase of accelerated growth, with strategic M&A activity at the heart of its expansion plans. The organisation currently comprises seven high-performing divisions and has a strong pipeline of additional acquisition targets. Its growth strategy encompasses both the acquisition of established, ready-made businesses and the turnaround of underperforming or distressed operations transforming them, through targeted investment, funding, and strong leadership, into high-value, profitable divisions.

The Role

The Head of Finance is a pivotal position to help the group achieve its strategic objectives. It’s imperative the individual has the capability and desire to become the Finance Director / Chief Financial Officer to ensure the company & candidate grow in tandem. This is a rare role where the Head of Finance will be fully exposed to high‑level commercial activities from day 1, but also must be comfortable being hands‑on with BAU finance due to the businesses & finance functions lean nature.

Key Components

• SLT, Exec, and Board Business Partnering
• Strategic & commercial activities – due diligence, acquisitions, integration, CAPEX / OPEX ownership, investor relations
• FP&A ownership – budgeting, cashflow, forecasting, planning
• Ownership of financial reporting, controls, governance, risk and compliance
• Ownership of taxation, cash & treasury
• Leading on change and transformation projects
• External relationship management – legal, HMRC, insurance, tax advisers, external auditors, corporate finance etc.

Why Join

• Highly performing and entrepreneurial group
• Growth strategy encompassing M&A
• Clear line of progression to Finance Director / Chief Financial Officer
• £, - £, base salary + bonus & strong wider benefits

What You’ll Bring

To be considered, you must:

• Be a qualified accountant with significant post‑qualification experience
• Proven track record in financial management / leadership roles
• A track record of operating in entrepreneurial, lean and scaling businesses
• Diverse skillset with a balance of commercial vs operational finance

Desirable

• Sector experience to include infrastructure or real estate or property or hospitality or hotels

Next Steps

Please do not hesitate to contact Meraki Talent for a private & confidential discussion regarding this excellent permanent opportunity.