Finance Director

Robert Half are working in exclusive partnership with Happy Days, a Private Equity backed multi-site single operations group operating within the Nurseries and Pre-Schools sector in their search for a Finance Director. This is a newly created role following the recent decision to create a new hub in Wiltshire to support ongoing growth across the business.

Reporting to the CFO and as a key member of the Senior Leadership Team this role will be critical to shaping the long-term direction of the business alongside driving efficiencies through the finance function to provide tangible insight and value to stakeholders. You will lead the creation of a new Hub in Wiltshire, helping to underpin the Group's expanding footprint. You will lead continuous improvement and transformation initiatives across the breadth of finance whilst delivering strong financial management, effective business partnering and aiding decision making.

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 currently employing around 1500 team members, their passion for inspiring the next generation is at the heart of their mission

The Finance Director Role…You will be at the forefront of crafting the finance function within Swindon following the decision to create a second Hub, this will be balanced with ongoing M&A activity with further acquisitions and expansions on the horizon. The Finance Director will be tasked with providing efficiencies through business-as-usual areas such as month end, year end and reporting to shorten close cycles and deliver strong insight to the senior leadership team and investors.

The Finance Director will oversee a team of circa 16 inclusive of 3 direct reports, acting as a true strategic leader through the group whilst developing and mentoring a high performing team. Alongside this, key responsibilities will include:

Accountable for accuracy and integrity of core finance deliverables such as month end, year end, consolidations, statutory requirements and compliance

Develop and monitor key performance indicators across the group ensuring accountability across all levels and providing valuable insight and analysis relevant to finance and non-finance stakeholders

Provide insight and due diligence for M&A activity, owning and improving the integration strategy to allow for planned buy and build activities

Own the optimisation of finance related systems inclusive of the main ERP, reporting/consolidation tools and provide suggestions across automation and AI opportunities

Lead and develop FP&A/Commercial activities turning raw data into effective reporting and visualisation that is digestible and actionable for all levels

Manage external relationships such as investors, auditors, banks, tax authorities and legal advisors

Work closely with the CFO and Investors on additional reporting requirements and ad-hoc information requests

About you…Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
A self-motivated, high-energy leader with evidence of developing high performing teams

Significant change and transformation experience, ability to evaluate gaps in process and systems before delivering solutions in a cost-efficient manner

Prior multi-site single operations or multi-revenue streams experience

Previous experience within a PE backed environment ideally within a buy and build strategy

The successful candidate will need to be 5 days on site in first 6 months as the new Hub…