Stanton House
Fractional CFO
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Fractional Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Location: Flexible / Hybrid
Commitment: 1-2 days per week initially
Engagement Type: Fractional
Job reference: #32471TS
About the Opportunity
We are supporting an early-stage/ pre-revenue, venture-backed deep technology university spin out developing breakthrough communications and sensing technologies for next-generation aerospace, defence, telecommunications and autonomous systems applications.
The Role
The Fractional CFO will serve as a strategic partner to the CEO, providing financial leadership, commercial insight and operational rigour.
Initially, the role will focus on establishing robust financial planning and reporting processes, supporting commercial contract negotiations, and ensuring the business has the financial controls and information required to make informed decisions. As the company grows, the scope of the role is expected to expand to encompass fundraising support, investor relations, strategic planning and broader finance leadership responsibilities.
Key Deliverables (First 3-6 Months)
- Design and implement a robust financial planning and tracking model that provides clear visibility of actual expenditure versus budget.
- Establish regular management reporting, forecasting and cash flow processes.
- Review and support the negotiation of customer-funded development contracts.
- Identify and implement appropriate financial controls for an early-stage technology business.
- Provide commercial and financial guidance to support business growth and risk management.
- Develop a roadmap for future finance capability and investor readiness.
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Key Responsibilities
Financial Strategy & Planning
- Develop and maintain a fit-for-purpose financial model that supports budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management and scenario planning.
- Establish financial reporting processes that provide clear visibility of expenditure, project costs and budget performance.
- Create meaningful management information and KPI reporting for the leadership team and Board.
- Support strategic decision-making through financial analysis and modelling.
- Develop robust cash management and financial control processes appropriate for a growing technology business.
Commercial & Contract Support
- Partner with the CEO in reviewing, negotiating and structuring commercial development agreements and technology contracts.
- Assess commercial, financial and delivery risks associated with customer-funded development programmes.
- Support pricing, contractual terms, milestone structures and project profitability analysis.
- Help ensure contracts align with the company's long-term strategic and financial objectives.
Corporate Finance & Governance
- Prepare the business for future fundraising activities, including investor-ready financial information and reporting.
- Assist with Board reporting and financial governance requirements.
- Support grant funding administration, compliance and reporting where applicable.
- Help establish scalable financial processes, policies and controls.
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Growth & Scale-Up Readiness
- Build financial frameworks capable of supporting rapid growth.
- Contribute to strategic planning and business model development.
- Support future recruitment and development of the finance function as the company expands.
- Act as a trusted adviser to the CEO and leadership team.
Candidate Profile
Essential Experience
- Professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
- Proven experience as a CFO, Finance Director or senior finance executive.
- Experience working with early-stage technology companies, venture-backed businesses, scale-ups or spin-outs.
- Experience supporting deep-tech, engineering, advanced manufacturing, aerospace, defence, telecoms or semiconductor businesses.
- Strong financial modelling, forecasting and cash management expertise.
- Demonstrated commercial contract review and negotiation experience.
- Ability to operate effectively in a fast-moving, resource-constrained environment.
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
Highly Desirable
- Experience with university spin-outs, intellectual property commercialisation or R&D-intensive businesses.
- Fundraising experience, including venture capital, angel investment or grant funding.
- Knowledge of government innovation funding programmes and reporting requirements.
- Experience managing project-based or milestone-funded commercial programmes.
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