Finance/Operations Director

I am working with a fast growth, private equity backed property/rent management business currently turning over c.£15m and constantly expanding on their current portfolio of 650 properties across London. Due to the rapid growth trigger by a majority investment in 2018, the business is looking to hire its first full time Finance Director (Number 1 in finance) to report into the CEO whilst developing and upscaling the finance function through implementation of new controls and processes. This candidate will be vital in the business strategy and will lead also be crucial in development of the HR, Legal and IT teams.

Full time role to manage both Finance & Operations, leaving the CEO to focus on Acquisitions, Lettings & Council relationship management. The company will be run by these two executives.

Responsibility for the overall Finance & Operational functions of the business, including the offshore team based overseas and 5 on-shore field property managers.

Ensure an iron discipline is maintained regarding the cash management and working capital control, as well as a transparent and effective reporting model.

Apex EBITDA, cash generation & financial performance

Performance management of all direct reports to ensure optimal performance of the Finance & Operations teams

MI development across the whole business

Support & implement Acquisition activities as agreed at the Board, including maximising synergy benefits from targets

Full overall responsibility for all aspects of the financial reporting including monthly and statutory accounts; budgeting and forecasting; strategic planning and other financial reporting as requested by the executive and external officers.

Management of all back-office personnel based off-shore who do not work on Acquisitions & Lettings; responsible for the back-office contractual management and cost-effective process control that the back office third party in Islamabad provides.

Management of the field property team through the existing long-serving property manager

Ensure that the IT platform is fully exploited, including the development of a strong financial and non-financial MI platform, being mindful of the expected future rapid growth

Developing a positive working relationship with the Chair and Interim MD and forming a crucial part of the 3-person Senior Management Team.

Work constructively with the private equity fund in any re-financing initiatives, mergers and acquisitions and other high-level strategic projects initiated by them.

Transparent and detailed reporting to Board of the financial performance of AHS

Where necessary, support the acquisition and integration of property books acquired.

A fully qualified accountant, probably from a small chartered or ACCA background

Strong SME (preferably £10-£30m turnover) commercial experience

Sector experience – preferably property sector but services companies as a minimum

Strong process ‘change’ experience. Eg 6 Sigma or similar. Hands-on experience of reengineering process changes in a customer-facing context useful.

Experience of and a willingness to be involved at operational level

Experience of developing a finance team and leading it successfully through a culture change.

Possess a flexible approach to the multi-site nature of the business model and be prepared to be wherever and whenever is required.

M&A experience

Cash/treasury experience, including funding alternatives.

Good people person with genuine examples of report line development.

Team orientated, with high energy and ‘can do’ mentality.