Our client is a fast-growing, private equity-backed education group operating across multiple sites and brands. Our mission is to deliver outstanding educational outcomes while driving operational excellence and sustainable growth. Following significant investment, we are expanding through both organic growth and acquisitions, creating an exciting opportunity for an ambitious finance professional to join our leadership team.

Role Overview

The Group Finance Manager will play a pivotal role in managing the financial operations of the Group, ensuring accurate reporting, robust financial controls, and timely management information. Working closely with the CFO and senior leadership team, the successful candidate will support strategic decision-making, business performance, acquisitions, and continuous improvement across the finance function.

This is a hands-on role suited to an experienced finance professional who thrives in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Reporting

• Lead the monthly group management accounts process, ensuring accuracy and timely delivery.
• Prepare consolidated financial statements across multiple entities.
• Analyse financial performance and provide insightful commentary on key business drivers.
• Manage month-end and year-end close processes.
• Support the preparation of annual statutory accounts and liaise with external auditors.

Financial Planning & Analysis

• Coordinate annual budgets, forecasts and long-term financial planning.
• Develop financial models to support strategic initiatives and investment decisions.
• Monitor KPIs and provide performance reporting to the Executive Team and Board.
• Identify trends, risks and opportunities to improve profitability and cash generation.

Private Equity Reporting

• Prepare investor and lender reporting packs.
• Support board reporting with high-quality financial analysis and presentations.
• Assist with covenant reporting and cash flow forecasting.
• Produce ad hoc analysis required by shareholders and lenders.

Business Partnering

• Partner with operational leaders across the education group.
• Provide financial insight to support commercial and operational decision-making.
• Challenge assumptions and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and margins.
• Support pricing, funding and profitability analysis.

Financial Controls & Compliance

• Maintain robust financial controls and governance across the Group.
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards, tax regulations and statutory requirements.
• Review and improve finance policies and procedures.
• Support internal audit and risk management activities.

Cash Flow & Treasury

• Monitor Group cash flow and working capital.
• Oversee treasury activities, including banking relationships.
• Support funding requirements and capital investment planning.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Drive automation and continuous improvement within finance processes.
• Lead finance systems enhancements and reporting improvements.
• Support ERP implementations and integration of newly acquired businesses.

Acquisitions & Integration

• Assist with financial due diligence on acquisition opportunities.
• Support post-acquisition finance integration.
• Standardise reporting and financial processes across acquired entities.

Team Management

• Manage and develop members of the finance team.
• Coach and mentor junior finance staff.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration and accountability.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA).
• Minimum 3 years' post-qualification experience.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge.
• Experience producing consolidated accounts.
• Excellent financial modelling and analytical skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Experience of managing finance teams.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.

Desirable

• Experience within a private equity-backed business.
• Education, training, childcare or multi-site sector experience.
• Experience supporting acquisitions and business integration.
• Familiarity with ERP systems such as NetSuite, Sage Intacct, Microsoft Dynamics or Oracle.
• Experience working in a high-growth environment.

Personal Attributes

• Commercially minded with strong business acumen.
• Proactive and solutions-focused.
• Highly organised with exceptional attention to detail.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, changing environment.
• Strong leadership and influencing skills.
• Collaborative and approachable.
• Continuous improvement mindset.

Key Performance Indicators

• Timely and accurate monthly reporting.
• Delivery of budgets and forecasts.
• Strong cash flow management.
• Audit outcomes and regulatory compliance.
• Improvement in financial controls and reporting quality.
• Successful integration of acquisitions.
• Finance process efficiency improvements.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Annual performance bonus
• Pension scheme
• Hybrid working
• Professional development support
• Private healthcare
• Life assurance
• Enhanced holiday entitlement
• Employee wellbeing programme