Head of Finance

HEAD OF FINANCE
FULL TIME, PERMANENT
NOTTINGHAM, HYBRID
UP TO £70,000 P/A

SF Partners have partnered with an exciting, government backed business that are currently on the lookout for a Head of Finance to be based out of their Nottingham facility.

This role combines core organisational financial management with hands-on financial oversight of major programmes, ensuring strong financial control, transparency, and value for money across both corporate operations and project delivery. The ideal candidate will have commercial finance acumen, experience of managing public money and an understanding of forecasting business rates

KEY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Company Financial Management & Reporting
- Lead the preparation and management of the organisation's financial accounts, including:
- Monthly management accounts
- Annual financial statements and audit support
- Lead modelling of our long-term business rates income (including for different scenarios) working in conjunction with the Accountable Body and Billing Authorities
- Alongside the Accountable Body, prepare grant funding agreements for (mostly third party) recipients of EMF grant funding
- Maintain robust financial controls and ensure compliance with relevant accounting standards and governance requirements
- Monitor cash flow, working capital, and financial performance across the organisation
- Produce regular financial reports and insights for senior leadership team and Board decision-making
- Support potential occupier businesses by estimating the value potential tax benefits, using - and keeping up to date - our tax benefit modelling

Budgeting & Forecasting
- Develop and manage the organisation's annual budget and quarterly forecasts for review by the senior leadership team and Board
- Work with budget holders, both internal and external recipients of grant funding, to:
- Set realistic budgets
- Track performance against plan
- Identify variances and provide clear analysis, risks, and corrective recommendations

Project Cost & Budget Management (Major Programmes)
- Provide advice to teams in developing proposals ahead of approval, to ensure business cases or equivalent include sound financial cases, options appraisal and financial due diligence.
- Provide financial oversight for major projects/programmes led by EMF directly, including:
- Establishing and maintaining project budgets
- Monitoring cost profiles and spend against approved budgets
- Working with the Accountable Body and other EMF colleagues to agree project spend profiles in grant agreements
- Leading assessment of claims for funding from project partners
- Partner with programme/project leads to:
- Ensure accurate financial forecasting
- Identify financial risks and pressures early
- Support on procurement of suppliers
- Monitor contracts spend with suppliers
- Ensure value for money and financial discipline across all contracts, including meeting public procurement and spend threshold requirements
- Provide clear reporting on project financial performance, including variance analysis and funding utilisation

Financial Business Partnering
- Act as a key finance contact across the organisation
- Support senior stakeholders (e.g. programme leads, operational leads) to:
- Understand financial data
- Make informed decisions
- Translate financial information into practical insights for non-finance colleagues

Governance, Compliance & Audit
- Ensure compliance with:
- Internal policies
- External funding and reporting requirements (particularly relevant for programme funding)
- Managing public money guidance
- Any other requirements as set by the Accountable Body and Government in relation to Freeport governance and delivery
- Support internal and external audit processes
- Maintain accurate financial records and documentation

Systems, Processes & Continuous Improvement
- Develop and improve financial systems, processes, and reporting tools, noting that the existing systems were developed to support a smaller organisation, and we require a system that is fit for purpose as the organisation and its delivery programme has grown
- Ensure efficient financial workflows (including draw cost of funding from the Accountable Body, managing invoices, payments, and reporting)
- Support implementation of any new finance systems or reporting improvements

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?

Working hours: Permanent, full-time
Holiday entitlement: 28 days holiday plus bank holidays
Flexible working: Hybrid, based at the office 60% of the week