Commercial Finance Manager - Swindon or Porto | IR 354

Improve International is the world’s leading provider of post-graduate veterinary education. Founded in the UK 25 years ago, we now operate in 20 countries and train over 4,000 veterinary professionals a year. We are an international organisation with offices in the UK and Portugal and embrace the diversity and opportunity this provides us. 

Our purpose is to provide veterinary professionals with the skills and confidence to deliver compassionate animal care through advance training and qualifications. Having recently partnered with Levine Leichtman Capital Partners, we now have an amazing opportunity to deliver our on our vision to be the world’s most trusted provider of veterinary education and certification. 

We are looking for a truly outstanding commercial finance manager to join our team to help us further accelerate growth and support our current team of stars to take the business to the next level. 

The role is truly commercial and will be the glue between the business and the core finance team. Reporting to the CFO, you will lead on financial planning and analysis for the group and provide commercial finance support to the leadership team. 

You will help shape decision making in the business, improve efficiency and ROI and identify growth opportunities for the group, so that we over-deliver on our 5-year plan. You will work closely with the core finance team and have a dotted line in to the Head of Finance, to ensure alignment and consistency of data & approach. 

Base Location

This is a senior position and it is a newly created role. The role holder can be based in either our Swindon, UK office or our Porto, Portugal Office.

We are happy to consider and view applicants based in either of these locations. The role does not come with any relocation package so if you are based in Swindon or Porto currently and are interested in this role then please do apply.

The role is truly commercial and will be the glue between the business and the core finance team. Reporting to the CFO, you will lead on financial planning and analysis for the group and provide commercial finance support to the leadership team. 

You will help shape decision making in the business, improve efficiency and ROI and identify growth opportunities for the group, so that we over-deliver on our 5-year plan. You will work closely with the core finance team and have a dotted line in to the Head of Finance, to ensure alignment and consistency of data & approach. 

• Ideally qualified accountant or studying toward professional qualification  
• Experience of managing relationships with senior stakeholders 
• Strong strategic finance and analytical skills, preferably with FP&A experience 
• Good Excel skills especially financial modelling 
• Proficient in extracting data from finance systems (we use Sage Intacct) 
• Deep understanding of business insight and KPIs 
• Power BI experience is helpful 
• Fluent written and verbal English (mandatory) 

• Personal attributes/characteristics: 
• A curious self-starting individual who can drive value and mobilise teams working in a matrix environment. 
• Able to effectively communicate complex issues to key stakeholders. 
• Strong interpersonal skills, and an ability to tailor their approach to deal with different people 
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to work under pressure and to agreed deadlines 
• High attention to detail and experience working in fast paced dynamic environments 
• Can-do, positive and proactive attitude 
• Self-starter and self-sufficient 
• Empathetic and understanding  

Communications - Level 3

Integrity & Empathy - level 3

Flexible Thinking - Level 4

Influencing - Level 3

Achievement Focus - Level 3

Client Focus - level 3

Base Location

This is a senior position and it is a newly created role. The role holder can be based in either our Swindon, UK office or our Porto, Portugal Office.

We are happy to consider and view applicants based in either of these locations. The role does not come with any relocation package so if you are based in Swindon or Porto currently and are interested in this role then please do apply.

Depending on where the successful candidate is based please see benefits for both the UK and Portugal.

UK Benefits

Annual Leave Entitlement: UK 25 days increasing an additional day after 3 years of service and again by an additional day after 10 years service - to a total of 27 days per annum.

Additional Leave: Office closure on the

afternoon of before the 25th December and the 1st January each year.

Pension: UK Employee 4% and Employer 5%. The employer contribution increases with a step change % of 1% increase every 3 years to a max of 10%.

Weekly Hours: UK 37.5

Base: Office based in Swindon with some hybrid working available.

Annual bonus: Discretionary

Annual Bonus (based on company and personal performance)

Vision Testing: Eye care voucher for eye testing UK.

Electric Car Scheme: UK Salary Sacrifice

EAP: Employee Assistance Programme - available 24/7 phone line

Refer a friend programme 

Shopping discount portal

Bring your dog to work

Free tea and coffee

Parking

Benefits – Portugal

Annual Leave Entitlement: 23 days plus public holidays, plus additional service dates after 3 years one additional holiday, and after 10 year one additional holiday, to a maximum of 25.

Additional Leave: Our offices close annually for the afternoon

on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve globally. All employees are provided with

company paid leave for these periods.

Weekly Hours: 40 

Location: Central city location (Porto) near public transportation. Office based role but hybrid working available - usually 3 days in the office and 2 working from home.

Annual Bonus: Discretionary Annual Bonus 

Medical Insurance: Staff have the option to purchase medical insurance at reduced company rate.

EAP: Employee Assistance Program (Globally available)

Benefits Portal: We use 'Coverflex' and employees can manage

their allowance and also have access to discounted shopping and entertainment option via this portal.

Short walk to the Metro

Full training provided

Free tea and coffee 

Great team spirit in the office and comfortable office

environment 

Multi-cultural team and colleagues based globally.