Finance Director/Head of Finance
Description
Wright Hassall is the largest independent law firm in the Midlands; our multi-disciplinary practice has been providing our clients with strategic legal advice for over 175 years. Based in Leamington Spa, Wright Hassall offers all the services commercial clients need with specialists in corporate, commercial, employment, business immigration, dispute resolution and litigation and commercial real estate. Our clients range from large multi-national companies, large commercial organisations, privately owned companies, SMEs, charities, public sector organisations and private clients. We are a law firm putting our clients at the heart of everything we do. It is our people, and the way that we service our clients, that set us apart.
We are recruiting for a Finance Director/Head of Finance – a key role within the Senior Leadership Team responsible for the financial management of the firm, providing expert reporting and analysis, robust financial controls, efficient processes and informed executive decision making.
We are looking for a dynamic Finance Director who has exceptional stakeholder engagement skills, who can ensure regulatory financial compliance as the COFA whilst driving operational and reporting excellence of the finance function, guiding the Senior Leadership on commercial finance matters, whilst also getting into the detail when required.
This role is a fantastic opportunity – we are open to receiving applications from finance professionals who are looking for a step up in their career. A solid understanding of a legal partnership is highly sought after for this role.
Person Specification
We are looking for someone who has:
- experience of leading a finance function, either as a Finance Director or Head of Finance;
- experience of acting as Compliance Officer for Finance & Administration (COFA);
- qualified member status of accountancy body or holder of an equivalent qualification (CIMA, ACA, ACCA);
- commercially astute, articulate, technically strong, dynamic, insightful and influential leadership skills with the ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels;
- proven experience of creating and delivering financial and commercial in-year business plans and strategy;
- proven experience where significant change, transformation and improvement of business performance has been at the core of the role;
- solid understanding of financial processes and process improvement;
- excellent relationship management, stakeholder engagement and business partnering skills with desire to drive positive change;
- capability to support operational improvement with a view to driving efficiencies and revenue growth;
- high impact communication and presentation skills, working at all levels to influence the wider business direction and decisions;
- continuous improvement mindset with a focus on adding real value to a business;
- high integrity and openness combined with commitment to good governance;
- highly motivated, with an enquiring mind and passion for excellence and innovation in pursuit of business growth and success;
- prior experience in a legal partnership or a professional services environment is highly sought after for this role; and
- expert knowledge of SRA financial compliance regulations is highly desirable.
Job Responsibilities
- To be a key member of the firm’s Senior Leadership team (SLT) working closely with the SLT members to deliver the firm’s business plan, advising and guiding the SLT in commercial finance matters.
- To ensure regulatory financial compliance is adhered to and taking on the COFA role.
- To implement and maintain operational excellence across all finance and accounts processes.
- To lead the development of the finance strategy across all areas of the business, challenging assumptions and decision-making as appropriate.
- To provide financial analysis and guidance on all activities, plans, targets and business drivers.
- To liaise with auditors to manage the production of year end accounts as well as financial and SAR account rules audits. This will include negotiation of engagement terms, management of audit process and presentation of the final accounts to the partnership for approval.
- To be responsible for cash and treasury management with the ultimate goal of managing the firm’s liquidity and mitigating any operational, financial and reputational risk.
- To improve and automate the Firm’s financial systems and processes to ensure they are efficient robust, compliant supporting current activities and future growth.
- To provide management reporting and consolidated accounts as well as stewardship and accountability for client monies across 2 entities.
- To control, oversee, review, and adherence to the budgets for each practice group and business support team.
- In addition to having the ability to think strategically, the role-holder must also be willing to roll their sleeves up and get into the detail when needed.
Benefits
We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits package, including pension, private healthcare, training and development, life assurance, healthcare scheme, subsidised gym membership, and an active social committee
Wright Hassall values the differences and advantages that a diverse workforce brings to the firm. We are committed to ensuring that all applicants are valued as individuals and treated with respect and fairness.