Finance Director

Operations: Finance Director: Part Time (2/3 days Per Week)

The Finance Director will play an integral role in ensuring that strategic and operational objectives of the business are achieved and will have responsibility for all aspects of finance – including the development of financial strategy, planning, reporting and compliance as well as supporting fund raising activities and maintaining external relationships including investors, financial institutions and the outsourced accountancy service provider.

The Finance Director will act as the ‘performance conscience’ of the business as it seeks to explore and challenge commercial opportunities aimed at driving revenue growth and improving long-term profitability – ensuring these proposals support the QiO strategic objectives and, if so, delivery commitments are made and delivered.

This newly created role will report to the Chief Executive Officer in this dynamic and growing start-up as it embarks on the next stage of its growth. The Finance Director will be proactive, fit into the dynamic leadership team, thrive on autonomy and be flexible in their approach to work – willing to take on ad-hoc tasks as and when required. The Financial Director will also ensure that an appropriate balance is struck between internal pace and quality of thinking, process and outcomes.

Initially this role is standalone with the outsourced accountancy service provider performing transactional, bookkeeping and accounting support. The Finance Director will ensure that the finance organisation remains commensurate with the internal and external financial requirements and stakeholders of the business.

QIO

QiO a fast-growing software and data science business focused on industrial optimisation. QiO has offices in London, India, Germany and US, but don’t worry if you are not in one of the locations, our team is understanding of your desire to work from where you live.

We believe in working hard and doing the right thing, but understand that you need time to rest and refocus your energy. With lucrative incentives ranging from equity, global opportunities and work from home options, we believe that you will find QiO an incredible place to work and play.

Responsibilities:

Reporting, Accounting and Compliance

• Lead the preparation of financial statements including development and management of accounting policies, systems and processes
• Ensure consistency and quality of judgements in financial reporting
• Ensure compliance with statutory and legal requirements including taxation (corporate, VAT, payroll), annual reports and financial statements in the UK, US, Canada, Germany and India
• Design and implementation of effective transfer pricing strategies
• Management of external audits in the UK, US, Canada, Germany and India
• Implement and monitor robust internal controls, processes, systems and procedures whilst ensuring efficiencies and control of overheads and the assets of the business

Operational Performance

• Tight management of the billing cycle, collection management, the cash position and short-term cash-flow forecasting
• Develop and lead the cadence of performance management through actionable key metrics in close partnership with the leadership team to provide recommendation that address both current operational requirements as well as utilise future opportunities
• Provide ad hoc financial analysis as required by the leadership team

Financial strategy and planning

• Develop scalable, repeatable and effective governance framework to establish accountability for decision-making within the leadership team
• Lead the preparation of strategic planning, annual budget and ongoing forecasting processes
• Monitor the performance against forecasts and budgets, report on the implementation of strategic plans and propose, agree and implement actions plans with the leadership team to remediate performance issues

Leadership and Talent Management

• Provide leadership by getting things done and getting things done with, and through, others
• Lead the relationship with the outsourced accountancy service provider and influence others by setting clear expectations, providing ongoing coaching and holding stakeholders accountable
• Ensure relevant stakeholders are trained, developed and have the necessary tools to succeed in their job responsibilities. This includes providing stakeholders with ongoing feedback, coaching and training to support their activities and longer-term development

Key Skills & Experience:

• ACA qualified (or equivalent) with demonstrable finance leadership experience
• Have the gravitas, engagement skills and credibility to work closely alongside the CEO and influence other internal and external stakeholders
• Sense of urgency and comfortable with a fast-paced and always-on start-up environment
• Proven experience of working within a multi-jurisdictional, global business with the ability to manage complexity and changing priorities
• Results oriented and able to roll-up the sleeves in order to accomplish necessary tasks
• Business partnering ability to support the leadership team with commercial finance advice
• Track record of recruiting, coaching and developing successful finance teams
• Motivated by growing shareholder value with a demonstrable understanding of how to deliver growth and margin progression