Brightsmith
Head of Finance
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Head of Finance | Build the Finance Function from the Ground Up
Location: London
Reporting to: CEO
We're looking for an ambitious Head of Finance to build a finance function that helps the business move faster. This isn't a traditional finance role where you'll spend your time looking backwards. We're looking for someone who can build a modern, AI-enabled finance function that provides real-time insight, supports better decision-making, and becomes a genuine strategic partner to the leadership team.
You'll put the right controls, reporting and processes in place, then automate and streamline them so your focus shifts to what really matters: supporting growth, guiding investment decisions, preparing the business for fundraising, and helping shape the future of the company. As we scale, you'll work alongside the CEO and senior leadership team, providing commercial insight across major projects, making complex investment decisions easier, and ensuring finance becomes an enabler rather than a bottleneck.
The Opportunity
This is a rare opportunity to build a finance function from the ground up within a high-growth business. You'll have the autonomy to shape how finance operates, implement modern systems and AI-driven processes, and create the financial foundations that support rapid growth. If you're someone who enjoys building rather than maintaining, and wants to play a key role in scaling a business, this role offers genuine influence and long-term career progression.
What you'll be doing
Financial Leadership
- Build and develop a scalable finance function fit for a high-growth business.
- Produce accurate monthly management accounts alongside external accountants.
- Deliver meaningful financial reporting and commercial insight to the CEO and Board.
- Turn financial data into clear recommendations that support faster decision-making.
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Cash Flow & Financial Planning
- Own and continuously improve the rolling cash flow forecast.
- Manage treasury, banking relationships and liquidity planning.
- Lead annual budgeting, forecasting and long-term financial planning.
- Build robust financial models to support strategic growth initiatives.
Build a Modern Finance Function
- Create a single source of financial truth across the business.
- Introduce AI and digital tools to automate routine finance activities.
- Improve reporting, processes and controls as the business scales.
- Ensure financial data remains accurate, consistent and accessible.
Governance & Compliance
- Establish strong financial controls and governance.
- Oversee statutory reporting, tax and compliance through external advisers.
- Support audits and ensure the business is always investor and diligence ready.
Strategic Growth
- Prepare the business for future fundraising and investment.
- Develop investor reporting and maintain a diligence-ready data room.
- Produce Board papers and financial analysis to support key strategic decisions.
- Partner with the leadership team on commercial and operational decision making.
Capital Projects
- Provide financial oversight across major capital investment projects.
- Evaluate commercial trade-offs and investment decisions.
- Support negotiations with landlords, suppliers and external partners.
- Ensure projects remain financially viable and aligned with business objectives.
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About You
We're looking for someone who is excited by the opportunity to build, improve and influence. You'll likely have:
- 3-7 years' experience in a Finance Manager, Financial Controller, Finance Business Partner or Financial Performance role.
- Experience working with external accountants or outsourced finance providers.
- Strong financial modelling, budgeting and cash flow management capability.
- ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualification (or equivalent).
- Experience within a start-up, scale-up or entrepreneurial business would be advantageous.
Just as importantly, you'll be:
- Commercially minded and naturally curious.
- Comfortable operating strategically while remaining hands-on.
- Passionate about improving processes through technology and AI.
- A confident communicator who can influence senior stakeholders.
- Someone who takes ownership and enjoys solving problems in a fast-moving environment.
Why Join?
This is more than a finance leadership role—it's an opportunity to help shape the future of a growing business. You'll work closely with the CEO, influence strategic decisions, prepare the company for future fundraising, and build a finance function that supports ambitious growth from day one. If you're looking for a role where you can make a genuine impact, we'd love to hear from you.
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