Group Finance Manager

Robert Half are working in exclusive partnership with Happy Days, a Private Equity backed Nurseries and Pre-Schools group to recruit a Group Finance Manager on a permanent basis. Based in Swindon, this newly created position will lead the day-to-day finance operations ensuring financial integrity and control across the organisation. Reporting to the Finance Director, this role will operate in a commercially focused, high-growth environment. Joining at an exciting stage in Happy Days' journey, you will support the creation of a new Hub in Wiltshire, helping to underpin the Group's expanding footprint. You will lead continuous improvement initiatives across finance operations and management accounting, driving efficiencies, enhancing processes, and contributing to the development of a best-in-class finance function.

About Happy Days…

Happy Days opened their first nursery in 1991, fast forward 35 years and they now operate 44 nurseries and pre-schools across the South UK and Wales, delivering exceptional childcare and education every day! A growth journey that continues every day with an underlying ethos to support children to become strong and motivated learners for life. Taking care of 2000+ children and employing around 1500 team members, their passion for inspiring the next generation is at the heart of their mission

The Group Finance Manager Role…

You will be at the forefront of building a team within Swindon following the decision to create a second Hub. This is a great opportunity to be hands on in the development of people, processes and control measures whilst maintaining the business as usual requirements. Working closely with the Finance Director to drive continuous improvement areas and opportunity for efficiencies within routine tasks, automation of manual processes and shortened reporting cycles. The Group Finance Manager will oversee areas of transactional finance, reporting and record-to-report functions to bring together and drive the contributions and outputs of the month end close process across the group. Alongside this, key responsibilities will include:

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• Maintain internal control framework across portfolio of sites and group.
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• Lead month end close processes including consolidation of management accounts.
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• Production of monthly reporting pack inclusive of balance sheet reconciliations, variance analysis and relevant commentary for review.
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• Maintenance of R2R cycle including maintenance of general ledger, accounts payable and receivable functions - Oversee and control of cash flow management across the group.
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• Act as a finance project lead on integration's to bring together work-streams across finance operations.
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• Provide actionable insight to operational leaders to ensure understanding of financial metrics to non-finance, key stakeholders.
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• Lead, coach and develop a team of 10+ across Management Accounts, Revenue, AP/AR.
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About you…

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• Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
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• Proven experience within a finance leadership position.
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• Strength within people management, building and leading a high-performance team.
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• Evidence of contribution to process improvement within core finance processes.
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• Strength with ERP optimisation and utilising technology to drive efficiency.
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• Prior multi-site or multi-revenue streams experience.
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• Previous experience within a PE backed environment advantageous.
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The successful candidate will need to be 5 days on site in first 6 months as the new Hub is established, 3 days on site thereafter.

What's on offer…

c£70k basic salary and a range of attractive benefits including car allowance, enhanced leave, performance related rewards, Life Assurance and an exhaustive Employee Assistance & Well-being package.

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