Head of Finance

About Grounds Care Group

Grounds Care Group, a highly regarded landscaping and grounds maintenance firm in the South East of England, excels in designing and maintaining exceptional and functional commercial landscapes. Their range of services includes grounds maintenance, snow clearing, site clearance, tree works, vegetation management, fencing, and the removal of invasive weeds like Japanese Knotweed. The company is recognized for consistently fulfilling commitments from initial design to implementation.

Role Overview

The Head of Finance will lead the finance department, driving the continuous enhancement of financial operations and controls throughout the business. Playing a crucial part on the senior leadership team, this role combines strategic financial oversight with commercial acumen to support future growth. Key responsibilities include managing financial reporting, cash flow, budgeting, mergers and acquisitions, and preparing for future corporate events such as potential sales or investments. Reporting directly to the CEO/Founder, the role offers a trusted advisory position to both the Board and senior managers.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all financial functions to ensure accuracy, compliance, and operational efficiency.
• Establish and maintain robust financial controls, policies, and procedures aligned with statutory and regulatory standards.
• Manage relationships with auditors, banks, legal and tax advisors.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and delivery of timely management accounts and reports.
• Develop KPIs, dashboards, and financial models that facilitate strategic and operational decision-making.
• Provide insights on profitability, margins, project and operational performance.
• Monitor liquidity, working capital, debtors, suppliers, and banking facilities to optimize cash flow and support expansion plans.
• Contribute to developing and executing strategic plans, including growth initiatives and investments.
• Lead financial assessments and integration of acquisitions, mergers, and partnerships.
• Prepare the company for future corporate transactions such as sale, investment, or management buyouts, ensuring governance and data quality meet stakeholder expectations.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the finance team fostering a culture of high performance and continuous improvement.
• Drive enhancements in financial systems and automation to improve reporting quality and business growth support.

Candidate Requirements

• Qualified accountant with ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent certification.
• Extensive senior finance leadership experience, preferably within SME or mid-sized companies.
• Background in sectors such as contracting, construction, engineering, infrastructure, or project-based environments is advantageous.
• Proven expertise in financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and strategic financial advising.
• Experience in managing external audits, statutory reporting, and corporate transactions including acquisitions or investments highly regarded.
• Exceptional commercial judgment, strategic thinking, and advanced financial modelling skills.
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with a capacity to influence and engage stakeholders.
• Familiarity with ERP systems, UK financial regulations, and taxation.
• Proactive, detail-oriented, commercially driven, with integrity and adaptability in dynamic environments.

Success Indicators

• Consistent delivery of accurate, timely financial information and reports.
• Maintaining robust cash flow and optimized working capital.
• Meeting budget and forecast targets effectively.
• Upholding strong financial controls and governance standards.
• Providing decision-making support through high-quality management information.
• Successfully managing strategic projects, transactions, and preparing for investment opportunities.
• Development and retention of a capable, accountable finance team.

Benefits

• 25 days of annual leave plus statutory Bank holidays.
• On-site parking available.
• Paid day off for birthday.
• Employer pension scheme.
• Opportunity to acquire growth shares in the company.