Head of Finance Transformation

Location:

Hybrid between Cadent Locations & Home

Advertised Salary:
Competitive plus Benefits

Job Function:
Finance

Working Hours:

37

Location Type:
Hybrid

Contract Type:
Permanent

Posting End Date: 14/9/26

Hybrid between nearest Cadent location and home, typically two to three days per week in the office

At Cadent, we're delivering the transformation needed to build the future of our finance function.

We're looking for an exceptional Head of Finance Transformation to lead the next phase of our finance evolution, harnessing technology, automation, data and AI to create a more efficient, insightful and future‑ready function.

Reporting directly to the Group Financial Controller
, this is a strategically important leadership role with significant visibility across the organisation, including regular engagement with the Executive Committee and senior business leaders. You'll be responsible for defining and delivering a transformation agenda that modernises systems, streamlines processes and enables finance to operate as a high‑performing strategic partner to the business.

We have several key projects in progress to embrace new technological developments, overhaul our planning capabilities and improve core processes. It is therefore highly desirable that you have demonstrable experience of SAP (or a similar ERP system) implementations and enjoy collaborating across functions to deliver value‑adding improvements.

This is a rare opportunity to influence enterprise‑wide change, lead a specialist team and shape how finance operates across one of the UK's largest regulated utility businesses.

• Shape the future of Finance by developing and delivering Cadent's Finance Transformation strategy, driving the adoption of technology, automation, AI and best‑practice processes across the function.
• Influence at the highest level through close partnership with senior Finance leaders, Technology teams and the Executive Committee, ensuring transformation activity supports long‑term business objectives.
• Lead meaningful change by taking major transformation programmes from concept through to implementation, adoption and measurable business outcomes.
• Enhance operational performance by simplifying end‑to‑end finance processes, strengthening controls, improving data quality and increasing efficiency across the function.
• Build high‑performing teams by leading, coaching and developing a specialist Finance Transformation & Systems team, creating a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

• Professional finance expertise with a recognised accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent), significant post‑qualification experience and a strong understanding of finance operations and management accounting.
• Transformation leadership experience gained through delivering large‑scale finance transformation programmes within complex, matrix organisations.
• Strong systems knowledge including finance platforms, ERP solutions, automation technologies, reporting tools, data modelling and wider digital finance capabilities.
• Technology and AI capability with experience of solutions such as SAP S/4
  
  HANA, Microsoft 365, Power Platform, Power BI, Microsoft Copilot, AI and automation technologies.
• Exceptional stakeholder influence with the ability to engage, challenge and build credibility with Executive leaders, senior business stakeholders and technical specialists.
• Programme delivery excellence including governance, planning, risk management, change leadership and benefits realisation across multiple initiatives.
• Strong people leadership and team management experience, with a proven track record of leading, coaching and developing high‑performing teams through change.
• Strategic thinking and commercial awareness with a forward‑looking mindset, capable of bridging finance and technology to solve complex business challenges within a regulated environment.

Why Cadent? This is a rare opportunity to play a defining role in the evolution of finance within one of the UK's largest regulated utility businesses. You'll have the visibility, influence and support to lead…