Marks Sattin Executive Search is working with a PE-Backed international life sciences business in the search for a Group Financial Controller to work closely with the Group CFO and senior leadership team. This is a high-impact role within an international business, offering the opportunity to lead and strengthen the Group finance function through an important period of investment, growth and change.

The Group Financial Controller will take ownership of Group reporting, accounting, audit, tax, controls and governance, ensuring the business has a robust and reliable financial infrastructure. Working closely with the CFO, the role will provide financial leadership across the international business and have regular interaction with senior stakeholders, shareholders, lenders and private equity investors.

A key priority for the incoming Group Financial Controller will be to strengthen the underlying finance operation and ensure the function is operating to a consistently high standard. The successful candidate will be expected to be highly hands-on, maintaining close oversight of the detail while improving processes, systems and ways of working across the Group. With an international finance structure and offshore operation, there is significant scope to enhance the effectiveness of the shared service model, drive automation and improve the use of ERP and financial systems.

The role will also play an important part in preparing the business for its next stage of growth and future transaction activity. This will include ensuring the Group is audit-ready, strengthening governance and reporting, supporting due diligence and maintaining the financial infrastructure required to meet the expectations of shareholders, lenders and potential investors.

The ideal candidate:

• A qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, ACMA)
• Proven experience as a Group Financial Controller within a PE-Backed international business, ideally within a business of similar size and complexity.
• Strong technical accounting experience across Group reporting, consolidation, statutory accounts, audit and IFRS.
• A genuinely hands-on finance leader who is comfortable operating at a detailed, transactional level and taking ownership of the day-to-day accounting and reporting environment.
• Experience working within an international organisation, ideally with exposure to offshore or shared service finance teams.
• A track record of improving finance processes, systems and controls, with experience of ERP/SAP and financial automation highly advantageous.
• Experience working directly with PE investors, shareholders, boards and lenders, with the credibility to operate effectively with senior stakeholders.
• Exposure to leveraged or debt-funded environments, refinancing, due diligence or an exit process would be advantageous.
• Strong understanding of financial governance, audit and risk, with the ability to maintain high standards within a complex and fast-paced environment.
• Proven ability to lead and develop finance teams while remaining close to the detail and driving accountability, efficiency and continuous improvement.

Please understand that due to the expected high number of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly.

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