Finance Manager jobs in Manchester

Introduction

Our client, backed by a major PE house, is a high-growth B2B telecoms and connectivity provider with an established national footprint. The business has scaled revenues significantly in recent years and is EBITDA profitable, with a clear plan to reach sustainable cash generation by 2027 as a precursor to exit and shareholder value realisation.

Operating both directly and through wholesale partners, Elevate combines network infrastructure with a multi-disciplinary suite of complementary products and services, delivering differentiated solutions to enterprise and corporate customers.

We are now seeking a Group Finance Director to complete the leadership team. This is a pivotal appointment: a hands-on, high-impact role working alongside the CEO to professionalise the finance function, embed control and discipline, and support the next phase of growth and value creation.

The successful candidate will bring both tactical execution strength and strategic perspective - able to manage risk and opportunity in equal measure, build robust systems and processes, and provide clear, timely, insight-led information to management, board, and investors. This is a demanding but highly rewarding opportunity for an individual who thrives in building environments rather than inheriting them.

Core Responsibilities

Candidates must demonstrate a track record of building and enforcing capability, not inheriting mature environments.

1. Financial Control & Rigour

Establish a best-in-class financial control environment as the foundation for credible decision-making and investor confidence.

· Build and enforce robust financial controls, governance frameworks, and discipline across the organisation

· Implement clear accounting policies, reporting standards, and KPI frameworks that actively drive behaviour

· Deliver high-quality monthly reporting with clear, actionable insight - not simply historical data

· Ensure audit readiness at all times, including the ability to support debt processes, refinancing, and exit data room requirements

2. Cash & Liquidity Leadership (Critical Priority)

Take full ownership of cash management, operating with a disciplined, forward-looking view of liquidity and risk.

· Own and drive a 13-week rolling cash flow forecast with accuracy, cadence, and accountability

· Lead working capital optimisation, including:

o DSO reduction and debtor discipline

o Creditor strategy and payment management

o Billing cycle improvements to accelerate cash conversion

· Identify emerging cash risks early and act decisively

Full ownership of the capital structure is essential:

· End-to-end accountability for debt, liquidity, and covenant position

· Covenant forecasting, compliance, and headroom management

· Direct ownership of lender relationships and communication

· Proactive management of downside scenarios and covenant pressure

· Creation of a zero-surprise environment for CEO, Board, and investors

3. Private Equity Stakeholder Management

Operate effectively within a PE-backed environment, providing clarity and resilience under scrutiny.

· Experience working with engaged investors and managing expectations

· Comfortable in fast-paced, iterative environments requiring:

o Scenario modelling and downside planning

o Short-cycle reporting and rapid response

· Ownership of a robust rolling 3-year plan with sensitivity analysis

· Deliver clear, insight-led narratives articulating cause, effect, and risk

· Confidence to engage, challenge, and partner with investors constructively

· Strong board-level communication and decision support capability

4. Commercial & Sector Insight

Bring a strong commercial mindset, particularly in capital-intensive, debt-funded environments.

· Telecoms or broadband experience preferred; alternatively:

o Infrastructure, utilities, leasing, or asset finance

· Strong understanding of:

o Capex vs return (ROI / ROCE)

o Asset utilisation and deployment efficiency

o Pricing models and margin dynamics

· Proven ability to operate in debt-heavy environments, balancing growth with cash discipline

· Focus on driving return from existing asset base, not solely incremental investment

5. AI-Enabled Insight & KPI Culture

Transform finance into a forward-looking, insight-led function.

· Introduce AI-enabled analytics and reporting, including automated data extraction and insight generation

· Shift the function from retrospective reporting to predictive, decision-support capability

· Identify trends, anomalies, and performance drivers early

· Embed a KPI-led culture across the business:

o Consistent, trusted, action-oriented metrics

o Clear accountability across leadership teams

• Use data to challenge and shape strategy, not simply report performance

Key Requirements

· Fully qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA), likely trained within a leading audit or advisory firm

· Experience within private equity-backed businesses

· Strong background in recurring revenue models

· Experience in telecoms, IT, or closely related sectors

· Track record of implementing finance systems and integrating with wider business platforms

· Ability to operate in a build-and-improve environment rather than maintain steady state

· Based within commuting distance of Manchester, with willingness to spend at least three days per week on site

· Available within a maximum of three months

Key Attributes

· Strong influencing capability at Board and investor level

· Commercially astute with both strategic perspective and operational grip

· Disciplined, organised, and highly professional

· Analytical, with the ability to anticipate trends and risks

· High energy, resilience, and personal accountability

· Team-oriented, with the ability to build capability and confidence in others

· Clear communicator with strong interpersonal skills

· Adaptable and pragmatic in a fast-moving environment

· Strength of character to embed and maintain a “no surprises” culture

Remuneration & Reward

· Basic salary circa £150,000

· Equity participation

Pay: From £150,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Employee stock ownership plan

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Manchester (Greater Manchester)