Senior Finance Manager - Group Functions & Capex

Hitchenor Wakeford Limited; York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Private Equity Backed Consumer Business in York seeks a Senior Finance Manager to oversee finance for central functions across multiple countries. This role requires expertise in financial governance, investment modeling, and technical accounting. Ideal candidates will have substantial experience in planning and analysis, along with advanced skills in Excel and financial modeling tools. Join a dynamic team focused on optimizing financial operations and ensuring IFRS compliance.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in planning and analysis for central functions or capex environments.
• Proven track record in building financial models and presenting recommendations.
• Experience in the accounting function of a large multi-site business.

Responsibilities

• Own annual budget cycles for various central functions.
• Run monthly performance reviews to identify risks and opportunities.
• Lead financial evaluation of major projects, ensuring compliance with policies.

Skills

Planning and analysis

Financial governance

Investment case building

Advanced Excel skills

Financial modelling

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics

Microsoft Business Central

Job description

Overview

HW Finance are delighted to be working in partnership with a leading Private Equity Backed Consumer Business to help appoint a new Senior Finance Manager. The Senior Finance Manager - Group Functions and Capex will be the finance lead for Group Functions (IT, Legal, PMO, Operations and Property) across nine countries. You will own performance management for central-function costs and the governance of large capex programmes. The role blends sharp commercial judgement with deep technical accounting to ensure decisions are well governed, value accretive, and IFRS compliant.

What You’ll Deliver

• Cost discipline for Group Functions: Clear budgets, rolling forecasts and variance insight that drive timely actions on run rate and discretionary spend.
• Capex governance: Robust stage gate control from business case to post implementation review; consistent templates, hurdle rates and benefit tracking.
• High quality investment decisions: Well structured models (NPV/IRR/payback), sensitivity analysis and succinct recommendations to decision makers.
• IFRS technical quality: Accurate capitalisation, depreciation, impairment and provisions; clean audit outcomes with minimal adjustments.
• Portfolio transparency: A single source of truth for the central functions cost base and project portfolio, visible to the Senior Management Team and functional leaders.
• Stakeholder confidence: IT, Legal, Operations, Property and PMO leaders see you as their finance lead for planning, challenge and delivery.

Core Responsibilities

Performance & planning

• Own annual budget and in year re forecast cycles for IT, Legal, PMO, Operations and Property, aligning to Group timelines and targets.
• Run month end performance reviews: explain drivers, highlight risks/opportunities, and agree concrete actions with owners.
• Design and maintain cost allocation and recharge frameworks for central services across nine countries (fair, transparent, auditable).

Projects & capex

• Lead financial evaluation of major projects: scope, benefits, risks, and funding.
• Implement a consistent stage gate process; chair or coordinate capex reviews; ensure approvals follow policy and delegated authorities.
• Build and maintain investment models (incl. lease vs buy) and track delivery of benefits vs. business case.
• Coordinate post implementation reviews and lessons learned to improve future cases.

Technical accounting & policy

• Act as the Group’s technical lead on areas relevant to functions and projects: IFRS 16 (leases), IAS 16 (PPE), IAS 36 (impairment), IAS 23 (borrowing costs), IAS 38 (intangibles), IAS 37 (provisions/onerous contracts).
• Prepare clear accounting papers and memos for the Group FD and auditors; manage any complex judgements and disclosures.

Controls & governance

• Strengthen end to end controls for opex and capex: commitment tracking, PO discipline, accruals, project set up/close down.
• Ensure compliance with delegated authorities and procurement policies; support vendor selection and contract reviews where financial risk is material.

Stakeholders

• Work closely with: IT Director, General Counsel, PMO Lead, Operations Director, Property Director, Country Finance Leads and Group FP&A.

What We’re Looking For

• Significant experience in planning, analysis and governance for central functions and/or capex heavy environments.
• Proven track record building investment cases and financial models (NPV/IRR, sensitivities) and presenting clear recommendations.
• Advanced Excel and financial modelling skills; experience with ERP and planning tools.
• Experience of working in the accounting function of a large multi-site business.
• Experience of using Microsoft Dynamics or Microsoft Business Central.