Group Financial Controller – The Jockey Club
The Jockey Club

One Team: Group Financial Controller (12 month Fixed Term Contract)

Based at: High Holborn, London

Contract type: Fixed Term

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday – Friday

The Jockey Club is looking to recruit an experienced Group Financial Controller to manage the group’s internal and external reporting processes, promote a best practice financial control and compliance culture, manage the Group’s shared finance centre and to provide analysis and insight for various group functions.

Role summary

The Jockey Club operates 15 racecourses nationwide including Cheltenham, Aintree, Epsom Downs, training grounds, The National Stud and Racing Welfare. The ideal candidate will have 7+ years PQ experience, strong technical and analytical skills, and excellent communication skills with the ability to distil complex financial information to a wide range of stakeholders.

Key responsibilities for this role include, but are not limited to:

• Central control, consolidation and management of all aspects of Group reporting, including monthly management accounts process, annual Statutory accounts preparation, cash and net debt reporting tracking headroom against the JCR banking covenants, for reporting to Exec management and main Board. Preparation of management accounts of forecasts for head office functions.
• Lead the Shared Finance function (Sales Ledger, Purchase Ledger, Treasury teams) in their development, implementing process improvement as identified and required and continuing its journey as a development ground for future finance talent across the Group. Build a culture of empowerment within that team. 
• Head of Finance for Jockey Club Services, our outsourcing business. Responsible for pricing, contract reviews, client relationship, reporting.
• Act as primary interface and co-ordination with the Group’s external auditors and tax advisers, to agree audit scope and procedures as well as timetable and ensure all audit deliverables including tax packs, are available in a timely manner.
• Ownership of group chart of accounts and finance systems. Maintain strong financial controls across the group to preserve integrity of financial reporting and avoid unnecessary one off adjustments. Drive balance sheet reconciliations process and regular review of working capital movements as a priority.
• Full ownership of the HMRC relationship for the Group. Main interface with HMRC for submission of all Group tax returns and management of VAT quarterly return processes, including MTD.
• Responsibility for compliance with areas regulations such as CCO, SAO, off-payroll labour (IR35).
• Working with the CFO to identify and evaluate alternative forms of structured finance for the business and optimizing the use of the Group’s assets. Transaction lead on future refinancing.
• Actively participate and make a strong contribution to the Finance Leadership Team meetings and discussions on finance values, priorities and their implementation, as well as influencing Regional Finance Directors as appropriate.
• Maintain and develop on-going processes of sharing and spreading best practice, with the rest of the Finance Leadership team, in all aspects of financial and management reporting.
• Develop and maintain a strong working relationship with the CFO, Regional Finance Directors and Heads of Finance at Jockey Club Estates and the National Stud, as well as day-to-day various external stakeholders (Banks, HMRC, HBLB, JV partners, auditors).

We are looking for applications from candidates who can demonstrate the following:

• A professional Finance qualification, ACA or ACCA certified
• Advanced knowledge and operation of Excel functionality
• Proven experience of working in a PQE role within a Group/matrix environment
• Up-to-date technical skills and strong analytical capability
• A proven track record as a self-starter, working with a wide range of stakeholders across the business, right up to CEO and Board level. The ability to set own agenda and work independently, balancing sometimes conflicting priorities
• Strong leadership and management skills and a track record of developing both functional and management skills within a team.

Due to the requirement to travel to racecourses around the Group, the successful candidate will need to have a valid driving licence and access to a vehicle.

The closing date for applications is 20th June 2022. We reserve the right to bring this date forward should we receive a large volume of applications.

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