Head of Financial Reporting (2 Year Fixed Term Contract)

Job Description

The Head of Financial Reporting will:

• Own and lead the Group Reporting function, ensuring best-in-class reporting outputs
• Ensure a robust financial control, governance, and compliance framework
• Drive improvement and automation of finance processes through digital transformation
• Lead and develop a high-performing Group Reporting team

Responsibilities

External Reporting, Audit & Governance

• Lead the preparation and approval of Group and subsidiary statutory financial statements, ensuring compliance with FRS 102 and IFRS and alignment with best practice. Lead the implementation of new and revised accounting standards and assess their impact on the Group.
• Own and manage the external audit, acting as the principal contact for ensuring effective delivery of the audit process.
• Oversee the delivery of the Annual Report, coordinating inputs across the organisation and ensuring alignment with corporate messaging and regulatory expectations.
• Lead Audit & Risk Committee and Board reporting, ensuring clear articulation of key accounting judgements.
• Support ESG and sustainability reporting frameworks, including the EU Taxonomy project, ensuring readiness for evolving disclosure requirements.

Financial Reporting & Control

• Own the end-to-end Group reporting cycle, ensuring timely and high-quality consolidated reporting.
• Ensure a robust internal financial control environment, identifying and mitigating risks within the reporting process.
• Provide clear, high quality, insight-driven reporting to support Executive and Board decision-making.
• Contribute to broader finance and corporate initiatives, including CFO-led projects and strategic priorities.

Technical Accounting & Advisory

• Act as the Group's technical accounting lead, overseeing complex accounting matters and key judgements.
• Lead the implementation of new accounting standards, regulatory developments, ensuring Group readiness.
• Review and approve technical accounting papers, ensuring appropriate documentation of key judgements.

Continuous Improvement & Transformation

• Drive a culture of continuous improvement within the reporting function.
• Drive digital transformation strategy for financial reporting, leveraging BI tools and AI to enhance reporting and insight.
• Identify and implement opportunities for automation, efficiency, and process optimisation across reporting cycles.
• Play a key role in ERP implementations and system enhancements.
• Lead, mentor and develop a high-performing team, fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration.

Build strong relationships across Group Finance, Shared Services and the wider business.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Fully qualified ACA/ACCA (or equivalent), 8+ years PQE in Group reporting within a plc or large complex organisation.
• Strong technical accounting expertise in FRS 102 and IFRS, with a track record of leading complex accounting matters.
• Proven experience leading high-performing teams and managing senior and external stakeholder relationships.
• Strong analytical capability, with the ability to articulate complex financial information.
• Experience or strong interest in finance digital transformation (BI/AI).
• Excellent strategic, analytical and communication skills.
• Committed to daa values.