Chief Financial Officer

Harper May is working with a well-established property and construction group backed by experienced management and institutional capital. The business has delivered consistent returns across residential and mixed-use schemes over the past decade, and is now at an inflection point: a strengthened pipeline, expansion into new geographies, and a shift towards larger, longer-cycle projects require a step change in financial rigour and reporting capability. The Board is seeking a Chief Financial Officer to establish world-class finance leadership, drive capital discipline, and provide the commercial insight needed to navigate scaling operations.

The Role
Reporting to the CEO and Board, you will own all financial strategy, planning, and control across the group. This is a dual role: set the financial direction and governance framework, and stay connected to project economics, deal flow, and cash generation. You will work closely with the investment committee on capital deployment, support the leadership team through forecasting and scenario planning, and ensure the finance function evolves to match the business's ambitions.

• Develop and lead financial strategy aligned with the group's three-year growth plan and capital structure
• Oversee project-level financial management, from bid stage through to close-out and post-completion reporting
• Build and lead a finance team across multiple office locations, setting standards for technical capability and commercial engagement
• Manage relationships with institutional investors, lenders, and advisers; support fundraising and refinancing activity
• Establish robust financial controls, statutory compliance, and audit processes across a growing group structure
• Deliver monthly Board packs, rolling forecasts, and deep-dive commercial analysis on major opportunities and risks
• Lead cash flow and working capital strategy to support project delivery and group liquidity

What we are looking for

• ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified with 10+ years' finance experience, including at least five years at CFO or equivalent senior leadership level
• Direct experience in property, construction, or other project-led, capital-intensive sectors
• Proven track record working with growth capital, private equity, or institutional investors
• Strong technical accounting and financial modelling skills paired with commercial and strategic thinking
• Comfortable operating at Board level, able to communicate complex financial issues with clarity and challenge decisions constructively
• Track record of building and developing high-performing finance teams