Head of Finance (Sports & Leisure)

Job Introduction

The Head of Finance is one of the key roles to meet the strategic ambitions of Sports & Leisure in the UK&I region. This role will effectively be the number two within the segment finance function. you'll be required to deputise for the Finance Director as required.

Our heritage is built on catering and hospitality experience and fuelled by our passion for exceptional food and service. For over 40 years we have been providing bespoke catering and hospitality services for sports stadia, racecourses, visitor, attractions, historic venues, major events and premium airline lounges. Recognised across the globe for hospitality, we help create exceptional moments at extraordinary events such as Royal Ascot, Tour de France, The Open Championship, RHS Chelsea Flower Show and the Rugby World Cup.

Role Responsibility

We're seeking a commercially focused, robust, operational finance executive who can deliver a rigorous control environment, provide insight driven reporting and provide financial support for new business opportunities, and retention, acting as an effective business partner to the operational teams.

You'll also be highly focused on commercial decision recommendations and supporting segment wide projects (labour management, retail initiatives etc) and, for the immediate future, be the lead finance liaison for the Peyton and Byrne business.

Directly and indirectly you'll be approached and asked to solve the most critical and difficult problems within the business model spanning all different functional areas including finance, operations and business development

*Please see attached job description for full details

The Ideal Candidate

• Qualified accountant with comprehensive post qualification experience.
• Outstanding track record in influencing decision making and performance/profit improvement.
• Track record of delivering clear and accurate insight based reporting to non-financial stakeholders.
• Proven ability in providing commercial support to Business Partners to drive and deliver or exceed performance targets.
• Experience of project management and programme control, and delivery of project objectives.
• A strong technical grounding and first class forecasting and budgeting credentials.
• Experience of financial support on new business bids and retention
• Prior experience of ensuring tight cost control in a competitive, low margin business.
• Contract knowledge and operational experience.

Desirable

• Experience reporting to senior management, preferably a business unit Executive team.
• Demonstration of strategic thinking and innovation, and the ability to evaluate longer-term goals.
• A “hands-on” finance professional that is comfortable with detail and adopts a pragmatic approach.  Organised in managing their work and able to identify and prioritise the key issues.
• Intellectually strong, enthusiastic and motivating leader who commands respect.
• Able to work with colleagues at all levels of the business.
• The highest levels of personal integrity.
• Outstanding communicator with the ability to distil complexity and the self-confidence to communicate at the most senior levels.
• Strong evidence of resilience, energy and drive.

Package Description

£Competitive salary + benefits including car/car allowance, bonus, pension, flexible benefits scheme etc

As part of our commitment to improving the quality of life for our employees, Sodexo offers a Flexible Benefits Scheme, allowing you to tailor a reward package to suit your needs which includes a technology scheme, private dental insurance, travel insurance, gym membership, Gourmet card, private medical insurance and the ability to purchase or sell annual leave to name but a few.

We also offer Sodexo Discounts site promoting discounted mobile phone tariffs, savings across restaurant chains and days out, where you and your family can save money on everything from your weekly food shop to the latest cinema blockbuster.

About the Company

In the UK and Ireland, Sodexo employs some 35,000 employees to deliver integrated facilities management services to clients at over 2,000 locations in the corporate, healthcare, education, leisure, defence and justice sectors. With an annual turnover of over £1bn, we provide everything from catering, cleaning and reception to security, laboratory and grounds maintenance services, enabling our clients to focus on their core business.

We are building on our support to the Armed Forces community through the development of specific pathways within our recruitment process to  support ex-forces personnel and reservists, those applying for jobs with us who meet the ideal candidate criteria for the role advertised are guaranteed to progress to the selection process.

Sodexo and our clients are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults within a regulated activity. Certain roles will require applicants to undergo screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and/ or Disclosure Scotland.