Head of Finance (Essex)

Feering, near Colchester, England, United Kingdom

Adult Social Care Provider | Feering, near Colchester | £70,000–£75,000

Full-time · Office based

Exclusive opportunity via Pioneer Talent

Pioneer Talent is proud to be partnering with a values-led, growing adult social care provider to recruit a Head of Finance to join their Senior Leadership Team. Working closely with the CEO, Managing Director and operational leaders, you'll provide the strategic and operational leadership of the finance function — ensuring the business remains financially robust, commercially focused and well governed.

This is a hands-on leadership role that combines financial strategy with day-to-day financial management, playing a key part in supporting business growth, acquisitions, service development and investment decisions, all while enabling the delivery of high-quality care.

The role

As Head of Finance, you will:

• Develop and deliver the finance strategy, aligned to corporate objectives and long-term business plans
• Provide strategic financial advice to the CEO, Managing Director, Board and Senior Leadership Team
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, management accounts, cash flow and performance reporting
• Lead financial modelling and scenario planning to support growth, investment and service development
• Lead the financial appraisal, modelling and due diligence of acquisitions and new services, and support post-acquisition integration
• Develop the annual fee-uplift strategy, using analysis and benchmarking to support negotiations with local authorities, NHS commissioners and other funding bodies
• Maintain robust financial controls, governance and compliance, and lead the statutory accounts and external audit process
• Oversee tax, VAT, payroll, treasury, cash flow and banking arrangements
• Provide financial oversight of local authority and NHS/ICB contracts, private income and commissioned services — monitoring occupancy, staffing costs, agency spend and profitability
• Lead, develop and motivate the finance team, fostering a collaborative, high-performing culture
• Lead financial risk management and contribute to the corporate risk register and business continuity planning

About you

Pioneer Talent is keen to speak with senior finance leaders who bring:

• A recognised accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or CIPFA), with evidence of continuing professional development
• Significant experience in a senior finance leadership role, ideally within adult social care, healthcare or another regulated sector
• A strong track record in budgeting, forecasting, statutory reporting and financial control
• Experience managing external audit and regulatory compliance
• Experience reporting to Boards or Trustees and presenting strategic financial information
• Strong financial modelling, business planning and commercial decision-support skills
• Experience supporting acquisitions, organisational growth or major business change
• Experience leading and developing finance teams
• Commercial acumen and the ability to translate financial information into clear business recommendations
• Strong communication, influencing and stakeholder-management skills

Desirable: knowledge of CQC regulation and social care funding; acquisition due diligence and post-acquisition integration; experience within a private equity-backed or high-growth organisation.