Location Exeter
Job-type Permanent
Salary £Competitive
Reference 21308

Are you an aspiring CFO who is passionate about combining finance strategy, reporting and risk management with reducing climate impact? Are you keen to use your skills to lead a group finance function in an organisation whose purpose is to make positive environmental and social impact at scale? If so, look no further.

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Acre is partnering with Oxygen House, a group of privately owned businesses that mobilise financial, scientific, mathematical and engineering expertise to advance educational standards and address climate change through investment in radical data technology. Companies within the group are involved with renewable energy, conservation and natural capital, education technology and sustainable property development.

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Our client is seeking a Group Finance Director to be a strong strategic partner within the senior leadership team and take ownership of the financial affairs for the group and family office. This is a rare opportunity to lead a finance function, and one of the role's growth objectives will be to gain a full understanding of the connection between and common vision of both the Group and Family Office and grow your career to CFO, ultimately joining the senior director team.

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The ideal candidate will have experience in leading a group finance function in a highly matrixed organisation or group of companies, ideally supporting a family office. They will bring a strong understanding of sustainability and climate change issues as well as a strategic and commercial mindset.

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RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

  • Reporting into the board and providing strategic financial support to the group companies

  • Acting as the lead finance business partner to Group HR and Group Legal teams

  • Leading a finance team of eight to deliver insightful reporting and analysis

  • Being the first point of contact for the finance team with technical queries, financial reporting and consolidation

  • Overseeing all group tax and VAT matters, including compliance, planning, advisor relations and M&A

  • Leading the group audit and preparation of consolidated group financial statements

  • Coordinating and presenting fundraising requirements for group company initiatives while managing cash and working capital

  • Providing financial oversight to family office and board and presenting output to wider businesses.

  • Leading in developing business impact and sustainability reporting

  • Driving Finance to take a leading role in mitigating the carbon impact of the business.

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WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The Group Finance Director will:

  • Hold recognised professional accountancy credentials such as ACCA, ACA, or equivalent

  • Demonstrate experience in a prominent financial leadership position, able to create a positive team environment

  • Be flexible in adapting their influential style to suit a diverse range of stakeholders and audience

  • Provide subject matter expertise in all aspects of financial management to the team and lead by example

  • Have hands-on experience of leadership with an ability to navigate through complexity and multiple objectives

  • Embrace the mission of the business to make the world a better place by halting climate change

  • Show experience of effective communication, interpersonal skills and stakeholder management expertise

  • Have a commercial and strategic mindset with the ability to work outside the traditional confines of finance

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Reporting to: Chief Financial Officer, and part of the Senior Leadership Team

Direct reports: Eight finance professionals

Location: Exeter

Flexible Working:

  • Minimum of 4 days a week (or 80% of working time) to be spent in the workplace

  • Working flexible hours - flexing the times worked in the day

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If you are interested, please apply directly, or contact Lucy Chapman at lucy.chapman@acre.com for more information.