Financial Controller

Following a recent merger and refinancing between the Southern Co-op and the Co-op Group, we are looking for a proactive and highly skilled Financial Controller to join our team. As part of the merger, Southern’s business has been acquired by Siena Co-operative Limited, a 100% subsidiary of the Co-op Group.

We are actively seeking a proactive, highly skilled Financial Controller to join our team. This is a unique chance to step beyond standard reporting. You will provide strategic, operational, and financial counsel to the Head of ELS Operations which is our Funeral care business area, playing a central role and contributing to the achievement of the Society’s strategic objectives.

• Hybrid working - 2 days a week in the office after induction period
• Free onsite parking
• 20% colleague discount
• Private medical & critical illness insurance
• Health & dental cash plans
• 24/7 virtual GP & fitness discounts via Aviva Digicare+ Workplace
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Life insurance & pension
• Financial wellbeing tools
• Cycle-to-work & Electric Vehicle schemes
• Training & development opportunities

• Strategic Partnering:
  Collaborate directly with the Head of ELS Operations to build and deliver the long-term financial plan, acting as a key advisor for the division's strategic direction.
• Commercial Insights:
  Analyse emerging trends and business drivers to inform operational strategy and champion changes for commercial performance improvement.
• Financial Leadership:
  Deliver clear, timely financial reporting and consult with business leaders to develop new management information tools that support the strategic plan.
• Budgeting & Investment:
  Lead the forecasting process to deliver meaningful budgets and ensure that capital and non-capital investments are robustly appraised.
• Regulatory Oversight:
  Ensure strict compliance with FCA regulations, manage the funeral planning investment process with Royal London, and oversee annual asset revaluations.
• Team Empowerment:
  Lead, manage, and prioritize workloads for a team of two, fostering a flexible, multi-skilled finance culture.

• An experienced Finance professional with a recognised accounting qualification and over 5 years of post-qualification experience.
• A strategic thinker with a strong commercial focus, capable of identifying complex issues and delivering appropriate business solutions.
• A proven track record of driving and managing finance and business process change.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to adapt your style to influence senior management across various disciplines.
• Highly IT literate and proficient in Excel, with the ability to communicate data clearly to non-finance colleagues.
• Desirable:
  Previous experience working within a regulated environment (such as FCA/PRA), alongside exposure to corporate transactions and auditors.