Chief Financial Officer

Liberata is a UK business services provider, helping public and private sector organisations design and deliver the services their customers rely on. For over 50 years we have run business-critical operations across Revenues and Benefits, HR and Payroll, Finance and Accounting, Customer Services and Debt Assist, working with more than 800 organisations including local authorities and NHS trusts. Around 1,100 colleagues across England and Wales deliver this work, in office-based, hybrid and remote roles.

Our approach is people-first delivery, modern and scalable technology and true partnership working. We are guided by three values: Accessible, Curious and Expert. We are now looking for our new permanent Chief Financial Officer to lead the finance function and to be a trusted commercial partner to the CEO as we plan for the next stage of growth and transformation.

The role:

The Chief Financial Officer is accountable for the full finance function: FP&A, financial accounting and reporting, tax and treasury. You are responsible for the integrity of the numbers, financial controls and compliance with laws and regulations, the quality of financial information and the development of the finance team, and you act as the commercial partner to the CEO and the senior leadership team.

Key responsibilities:

Finance leadership and control

• Lead FP&A, financial accounting and reporting, tax and treasury, with accountability for the integrity of the numbers and a robust, timely close.
• Build, develop and inspire the finance team, and improve finance processes and systems.
• Engage credibly with Group, auditors, banks and operational colleagues at every level.

Commercial partnership

• Act as the commercial partner to the CEO and the senior leadership team, challenging and supporting in equal measure.
• Understand service profitability by contract and service line and drive actions to improve
• Balance short-term delivery (6 to 12 months) with a longer-term view of the direction and strategy (3 to 5 years).

Budgeting, forecasting and performance

• Run budgeting, forecasting and performance management, delivering accurate, timely forecasts and monthly and quarterly reporting.
• Provide clear commentary on variances, risks and opportunities, turning the numbers into recommendations.
• Report on financial performance to shareholders

Cash, working capital and funding

• Manage cash, working capital and funding
• Keep close attention on cash conversion in a model where wages are paid ahead of client receipts.

Governance and risk

• Maintain a strong control environment and manage the relationship with external auditors, lenders and tax authorities.
• Support Group reporting, covenant compliance and the management of financial risk.

About you:

Qualifications and experience

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with 10+ years’ post-qualification experience.
• At least 3 to 5 years in a senior finance leadership role (Finance Director, divisional CFO or similar), covering FP&A, accounting, tax and treasury.
• Sector experience in BPO or other people-based services, ideally dealing with longer term contracts, with a solid grasp of financial and operational drivers, margin dynamics and the working capital profile that comes with long term contracts. Experience with IFRS15 and IFRS16 is a positive.

Skills and behaviours:

• Commercially minded and influential: able to challenge and support the divisional MD and turn the numbers into clear recommendations.
• A hands-on leader and strong communicator who can build and develop a finance team and improve processes and systems.
• Credible with shareholders and their representatives, clients, suppliers, auditors, banks and operational colleagues at all levels.
• Aligned with our values: accessible and approachable, curious about how things can work better, and expert in your discipline.

What we offer:

Alongside a competitive salary our published employee benefits include:

• Professional development support
• 26 days’ holiday plus bank holidays, rising with service with an option to purchase up to 5 more days
• Life assurance at 4x basic salary
• A contributory pension with employer matching up to 6%
• Wellbeing support, employee assistance programme, private medical insurance through BUPA
• Employee rewards platform providing discounts and cashback across various areas including supermarkets, holidays and retail.
• Salary sacrifice car scheme through Tusker
• Flexible working and family-friendly policies

Equality, diversity and inclusion:

Liberata is committed to equality of opportunity and to attracting people from different backgrounds. We are a Disability Confident employer, and we will make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process on request.

Security vetting and checks:

All successful candidates must meet the government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS).

• External candidates: The BPSS includes a basic criminal record check (for unspent convictions). There will also be an Adverse Financial Check (AFC) which will be renewed annually. An Adverse Finance Check looks for CCJs, IVAs, bankruptcies, Scottish decrees, or Administration Orders.
• Internal candidates: An annual adverse finance check will be required.

If you do not meet these requirements, your offer may be withdrawn.

How to apply:

To apply, please send your CV and a covering letter to recruitment@liberata.com by 4th November. For a confidential conversation about the role, contact recruitment@liberata.com and this can be arranged.