Head of Finance

Harper May is working with a property and construction group delivering mixed-use schemes and specialist developments across London and the South East. The business has grown steadily over the past five years, with a strengthening pipeline and recent capital investment backing expansion plans. The finance function currently operates with limited headcount and now requires dedicated leadership to build robust systems, drive commercial visibility, and support decision-making across the development cycle. They are seeking a Head of Finance to establish this capability.

The Role
You will report to the Managing Director and take full ownership of the finance function, including statutory reporting, controls, and commercial analytics. The role is hands-on and strategic in equal measure - you will manage day-to-day operations whilst working closely with project leads, development teams, and senior management to translate financial data into business insight.

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and lead financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting across all active projects and business units
• Produce monthly management accounts with clear variance analysis and commercial narrative
• Own cashflow forecasting, working capital management, and balance sheet control
• Partner with the development and operational teams to monitor project profitability and cost performance
• Manage the annual audit cycle, tax compliance, and statutory filing obligations
• Build and mentor a small finance team, setting standards for accuracy and timeliness
• Upgrade finance systems, processes, and reporting to support business growth and transparency

What we are looking for

• ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified with a minimum of eight years in a finance leadership role
• Proven experience in property development, construction, or project-based business environments
• Strong technical knowledge of financial controls, consolidation, and statutory accounting
• Commercial acumen - able to interpret financial trends and advise on margin and cash impact
• Demonstrated experience building or improving finance teams and systems from the ground up
• Clear communicator comfortable presenting to boards and managing stakeholder expectations