Senior Finance Manager – Leisure

Chartwells Independent

Craft, Creativity and Community – we are Company of Cooks! These are our values, and they go far beyond corporate waffle. In fact, they set the tone for everything we do. Company of Cooks have been working with some of the UK’s most cherished venues since 1996, delighting customers and clients alike with great food and drinks, brilliant service and an absolute focus on the details that make good restaurants, cafes and bars, great ones. In October 2019 the company was brought into the CH&CO family. The completion of the deal saw Company of Cooks become the group’s go-to operators in heritage and performance venues, art galleries and destinations. We are excited to be recruiting for a Senior Finance Manager to look after our bars and restaurant division within Leisure.

Location:Site and Office Based (central London predominantly)Salary:£50,000 – £60,000 per annum depending on experienceReporting to:Head of Commercial Finance

About the Role:

We are looking for a highly experienced Senior Finance Managerto take full ownership of the financial performance and governance of c.£50m worth of commercial contracts. This role is the final layer of financial control, ensuring financial integrity, optimising performance, and driving continuous improvements in cost control and processes.

Managing a team of three Finance Managers, the Senior Finance Manager will provide strategic financial leadership while ensuring robust financial oversight across multiple contracts. A key part of this role involves working closely with the Commercial Growth team, identifying issues and opportunities, and collaborating to establish better cost controls and financial processes.

This is a high-impact role requiring a fully qualified accountant (CIMA/ACCA/ACA) with significant experience in financial leadership within a multi-site commercial environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Leadership & Control:

• Act as the final layer of financial control, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and financial discipline across all contracts.
• Oversee financial governance and integrity across a portfolio of c.£50m commercial contracts.
• Provide financial challenge and scrutiny to Finance Managers and Location Accountants, ensuring all reporting and analysis are robust.
• Lead the development and enforcement of cost control measures and financial processes to maximise efficiency and profitability.
• Implement robust processes to monitor, manage, and reduce outstanding debt across multiple contracts. Proactively engage with clients to ensure timely collections and reduce aged debt exposure.
• Develop strategies to optimise working capital, ensuring efficient cash flow management across all sites.

Strategic Business Partnering:

• Work closely with General Managers and operational leadership to drive performance, providing insights and challenge on financial results.
• Partner with the Commercial Growth team, highlighting financial issues and seeking their support in implementing cost control improvements.
• Influence strategic decision-making by providing detailed financial analysis, forecasts, and performance reviews.
• Identify opportunities for margin improvement, labour efficiencies, and cost reduction across all contracts.

Team Leadership & Development:

• Manage, mentor, and develop a team of Finance Managers, ensuring they are effectively supporting their Location Accountants and operational teams.
• Ensure each Finance Manager receives direct support, spending at least one day per week on-site with each of them.
• Provide training and development opportunities to enhance the commercial and financial acumen of the finance team.

Performance Monitoring & Reporting:

• Take responsibility for the financial reporting, forecasting, and budgeting process across all contracts.
• Ensure all financial reports are delivered accurately and on time, with clear insights and recommendations.
• Monitor key financial metrics, such as GP%, labour cost ratios, overhead spend, and revenue growth.
• Ensure all pricing strategies, contractual obligations, and financial plans align with business objectives.

Process Improvement & Compliance:

• Lead the implementation of improved financial processes and controls in collaboration with the Commercial Growth team.
• Ensure compliance with internal policies, financial regulations, and contractual obligations.

The Ideal Candidate:

• Fully qualified accountant (CIMA/ACCA/ACA) with strong experience.
• Significant experience in a senior financial leadership role, ideally in a multi-site commercial environment (contract catering, hospitality, retail, or similar).
• Strong ability to challenge financial performance, ensuring cost control and profitability.
• Excellent commercial awareness, with experience managing large financial portfolios.
• Proven leadership skills, with experience in managing and developing finance teams.
• Confident communicator, capable of influencing senior stakeholders and operational teams.
• Strong analytical skills, with expertise in budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning.
• Comfortable working with financial reporting systems and data analytics tools
• Willing to travel frequently to multiple sites, spending at least one day per week with each of the three Finance Managers on site.

Desirable Skills:

• Strong Excel skills, including advanced lookups and pivot tables
• Experience with financial reporting tools such as Power BI and SAP.
• Strong knowledge of contract catering or hospitality industry financial dynamics.

What’s in it for you?

Working with Company of Cooks has its perks! People are at the heart of everything we do, so we’ve developed a range of benefits to keep you happy.

• Personal Development and Training opportunities
• Life assurance scheme
• Pension scheme
• Holiday allowance
• Private medical eligibility
• Eye care
• A great wellbeing strategy – including access to our Employee Assistance Programme, salary finance
• Family friendly support
• Regular social events and communication with our leaders
• A holiday purchase scheme
• Volunteering days
• Professional subscriptions
• Recognition schemes and people awards
• Long service awards
• Access to some great high street discount vouchers

Company of Cooks officially formed part of CH&CO Catering Group Ltd in 2020.

A Honest Approach, A Passionate Team, Quietly Confident