An outstanding opportunity has arisen for an experienced Group Financial Controller to join a substantial and growing multi-business group headquartered in Carlisle.
Operating across a number of complementary sectors including construction, civil engineering, infrastructure, utilities and specialist services, the Group comprises 14 businesses, employs more than 350 people and operates from eight locations across the UK.
This is a high-profile finance leadership appointment offering breadth, complexity and influence. Reporting to the Group Finance Director, you will take responsibility for the finance function across the operating businesses, leading a team of 14 and working closely with senior commercial and operational leadership.
The opportunity
This is much more than a reporting-focused Financial Controller position.
The successful individual will be expected to lead with solutions, challenge constructively and continually look for ways to improve how finance supports the wider business.
You will enjoy working cross-functionally, building strong relationships with commercial and operational teams and translating financial information into meaningful insight that helps people make better decisions.
The environment is fast-paced and evolving, so you will need to be comfortable balancing the detail with the bigger picture – maintaining strong financial control whilst driving improvements in reporting, systems, processes and performance.
There is also a real appetite to embrace technology, automation and AI tools, exploring how these can improve efficiency, accuracy and the quality of financial insight across the Group.
Key responsibilities
You will have a broad remit, including:
- Delivering weekly flash reporting, providing timely visibility of performance, key trends and areas requiring action
- Ownership of monthly and year-end consolidated reporting across the Group
- Leading the finance function across multiple operating companies, including eight direct reports
- Leading budgeting, rolling forecasts, variance and sensitivity analysis
- Working closely with commercial and operational teams around CVRs, WIP, cost-to-complete, project margins and overall contract performance
- Developing and improving management dashboards and KPI reporting, turning financial and operational data into clear, actionable insight
- Taking ownership of group cash flow forecasting, liquidity and working capital
- Overseeing debtor collections, supplier payments and key financial commitments
- Leading audit processes across the operating businesses
- Continually improving financial controls, reporting and processes
- Playing a key role in the integration and harmonisation of finance systems
- Championing technology, automation and appropriate AI tools to create a smarter and more efficient finance function
- Identifying issues early and taking a solutions-led approach to resolving them
- Coaching and developing the finance team, creating a culture of accountability and continuous improvement
- Partnering senior leadership and contributing financial insight to strategic decision-making and future growth
About you
We are looking for a fully qualified accountant – ACA, ACCA or CIMA – who combines strong technical capability with commercial awareness, energy and confident leadership.
You are likely to have operated within an operationally complex or project-led organisation, with construction, infrastructure, utilities or a related sector particularly relevant.
Experience of CVRs, WIP, cost-to-complete, retentions, project margins and cash management would be highly advantageous, alongside the ability to develop insightful reporting and dashboards that support both finance and operational decision-making.
Experience within a multi-entity or Group environment is desirable, particularly where this has involved consolidation, intercompany accounting and working across different operating businesses or locations.
Beyond the technical requirements, we are particularly interested in someone who:
- Leads with a solution
- Has the drive to question, improve and modernise existing ways of working
- Enjoys building relationships outside finance and working collaboratively with commercial and operational colleagues
- Can turn numbers into meaningful insight, using dashboards and KPIs to drive action
- Is hands-on and prepared to get into the detail when required
- Is commercially astute and comfortable challenging and influencing senior stakeholders
- Embraces technology, automation and AI and is curious about how these can improve finance
- Can operate effectively within a fast-paced environment where priorities can change
- Leads from the front and enjoys developing a strong finance team
Experience of finance transformation, ERP implementation or systems integration would also be valuable.
Salary & benefits: Up to £90,000
The wider package includes:
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- 5% employer pension contribution
- Private Medical Insurance
- Death in Service – 3x salary
- Discretionary bonus scheme
- Professional subscriptions covered
- 39-hour working week - Earlier finish on a Friday
- Flexibility around start and finish times by agreement
The position is predominantly based from the Carlisle head office, with interaction across regional locations.
Why consider this opportunity?
For someone looking for their next senior finance appointment in Cumbria, this offers an interesting combination of scale, complexity, transformation and influence.
You will have the opportunity to make a tangible impact – improving the speed and quality of reporting, strengthening cash and working capital management, enhancing CVR and project performance visibility, developing meaningful dashboards, embracing new technology and building even stronger links between finance, commercial and operational teams.
This is a role for someone who wants to drive improvement rather than simply maintain what is already there and who enjoys being close to the business, its people and its performance.
All enquiries and applications will be handled in the strictest confidence.