Full job descriptionHarper May is partnering with an established UK care provider operating a network of residential and nursing homes, with central operations based in Harrow. The business has grown steadily over many years through both organic development and selected acquisitions, and continues to invest in clinical standards, operational infrastructure, and the resident experience across its portfolio. With the wider business entering a period of further growth and consolidation, the leadership team is now strengthening the finance function and appointing a Head of Finance to take ownership of reporting, controls, and financial leadership across the group.
The Role
Reporting to the senior leadership team, the Head of Finance will own the day-to-day running of the finance function, lead a small in-house team, and partner with operational leaders across the home network. The role combines hands-on operational delivery with strategic finance support, focusing on a reliable month-end close, robust management information, and clear commercial insight to inform decision-making. There is genuine scope to shape the finance function over time as the group continues to scale.
Key Responsibilities
*Lead the in-house finance team, setting standards across reporting, controls, and operational discipline
*Own the monthly close cycle and produce timely, decision-useful management accounts for the leadership team
*Strengthen financial controls, governance, and reporting under UK GAAP (FRS 102)
*Partner with operations and senior leaders on budgeting, forecasting, and scenario analysis
*Deliver clear KPI reporting and commercial insight covering occupancy, fees, agency spend, staff cost ratios and other care-sector drivers
*Manage the audit relationship and statutory filings across group entities
*Support continued growth, including the financial integration of any new sites or acquisitions
What we are looking for
*Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA) with significant post-qualification experience in a finance leadership role
*Prior experience in care, healthcare, hospitality, or another multi-site operational business
*Strong UK GAAP grounding, including current familiarity with FRS 102 and statutory reporting
*Confident leading a small finance team while also rolling up sleeves on month-end and reporting
*Commercial and operationally minded, comfortable presenting clearly to non-finance leaders
*Based within reasonable commute of Harrow, on-site presence expected