Head of Finance (Veterinary) | Porto, Portugal

Improve International was established in 1998 by a group of veterinary surgeons from across the UK. We run Continuous Professional Development training from veterinary professionals to help develop the skills and knowledge required in practice. 

Our programmes utilise a combination of review lectures, case-based discussion and, where applicable, hands-on practical sessions. Within Improve we also have the function of ‘The International School of Veterinary Postgraduate Studies (ISVPS)’. This function is dedicated to providing veterinary surgeons, nurses and technicians with high quality, achievable qualifications that are recognised internationally. We are an international organisation with offices in the UK and Portugal. 

Lead the day-to-day Finance function for the Veterinary division, ensuring strong financial control, high-quality management information and effective financial support to the business.

Work closely with the Group Finance Director to deliver the Veterinary division’s financial objectives, manage divisional financial performance and provide the analysis, challenge and leadership required to support senior decision-making.

The role will assume responsibility for much of the detailed divisional finance activity currently undertaken by the Group Finance Director, enabling the Group Finance Director to focus increasingly on Group leadership, strategic business partnering, Board reporting and wider corporate priorities.

Veterinary Financial Leadership

• Lead the day-to-day Finance function for the Veterinary division.
• Act as the principal point of contact for routine and detailed Veterinary finance matters.
• Translate Group Finance priorities into clear actions for the Veterinary Finance team.
• Ensure that financial issues are resolved at divisional level wherever possible.
• Escalate material risks, opportunities and decisions to the Group Finance Director.
• Support the Group Finance Director in delivering the Veterinary financial strategy.
• Promote strong financial accountability across the Veterinary business.

Financial Performance Management

• Take responsibility for the quality and completeness of Veterinary divisional financial performance reporting.
• Lead detailed monthly performance reviews with Veterinary Operations, Sales and other relevant teams.
• Review divisional revenue, gross margin, EBITDA and overhead performance.
• Ensure that material variances against Budget, Forecast and Prior Year are understood and supported by clear explanations.
• Identify emerging financial risks and opportunities.
• Agree and monitor actions with operational managers.
• Provide the Group Finance Director with a clear monthly summary of performance, key movements, risks and required decisions.
• Support delivery of the Veterinary division’s Budget and EBITDA objectives.

Business Support and Divisional Partnering

• Develop strong working relationships with Veterinary operational and commercial managers.
• Provide financial challenges and support on routine business decisions.
• Support analysis of course performance, pricing, profitability, capacity and operational delivery.
• Review financial implications of proposed commercial and operational changes.
• Support business cases and investment proposals before escalation to the Group Finance Director.
• Improve financial understanding and ownership among Veterinary managers.
• Support the Group Finance Director in senior Veterinary Leadership Team discussions.

Budget and Forecast

• Coordinate preparation of the Veterinary annual Budget.
• Coordinate divisional Latest Estimate and Forecast submissions.
• Review assumptions prepared by Veterinary FP&A and operational teams.
• Ensure that Budget and Forecast submissions are complete, realistic and properly supported.
• Challenge divisional assumptions before submission to the Group Finance Director.
• Identify sensitivities, risks and opportunities affecting forecast delivery.
• Monitor performance against agreed plans throughout the year.
• Support longer-term planning for the Veterinary division.

Financial Control and Month-End

• Ensure the Veterinary month-end close is accurate, complete and delivered on time.
• Review Veterinary management accounts before submission.
• Review the integrity of divisional P&L and Balance Sheet reporting.
• Ensure revenue recognition, deferred income, accruals, prepayments and other significant accounting estimates are appropriately reviewed.
• Ensure Balance Sheet reconciliations are completed to the required standard.
• Review unusual or material accounting movements.
• Ensure adherence to Group accounting policies and reporting timetables.
• Work closely with Finance Operations, Tax and External Reporting on matters affecting the Veterinary division.
• Escalate significant accounting judgements to the Group Finance Director and relevant technical specialists.

Management Reporting

• Review the monthly Veterinary management reporting pack.
• Ensure reporting is accurate, relevant and supported by meaningful commentary.
• Review revenue, margin, cost and profitability analysis prepared by the team.
• Ensure information required for Group reporting is delivered on time.
• Provide concise, decision-focused information to the Group Finance Director.
• Support preparation of Executive and Board reporting relating to the Veterinary division.
• Ensure operational managers understand their results and agreed actions.

Controls, Compliance and Audit

• Maintain a strong financial control environment across the Veterinary division.
• Ensure compliance with Group policies and delegated authorities.
• Support statutory reporting and external audit requirements relating to Veterinary entities.
• Coordinate divisional responses to audit requests.
• Ensure audit actions and control improvements are completed.
• Support the implementation of new accounting policies and Group controls.
• Identify control weaknesses and recommend practical improvements.

Acquisition Integration and Projects

• Support integration of Veterinary acquisitions into Group reporting and Finance processes.
• Coordinate divisional Finance integration activities.
• Support implementation of common reporting, controls and systems.
• Lead or support Veterinary Finance projects delegated by the Group Finance Director.
• Ensure projects have clear responsibilities, timelines and deliverables.
• Support ERP, reporting and process transformation initiatives affecting the Veterinary division.

Leadership and Team Development

• Manage and develop the Veterinary Management Accounting and FP&A resources.
• Set clear objectives and priorities.
• Provide coaching, feedback and technical support.
• Build greater autonomy and accountability within the divisional Finance team.
• Ensure appropriate succession and development plans are in place.
• Create an environment in which problems are owned and resolved without unnecessary escalation.
• Support recruitment and onboarding of future Veterinary Finance team members.

• Degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Management or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Professional accounting qualification would be an advantage but is not mandatory.
• Proven experience in a senior Finance role, such as Finance Manager, Financial Controller, Head of Finance or equivalent.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge, including financial reporting, revenue recognition, accruals, deferred income and Balance Sheet management.
• Strong understanding of P&L, Balance Sheet, cash flow and key business performance drivers.
• Experience managing month-end close, management accounts, financial controls and audit processes.
• Proven experience in Budgeting, Forecasting, financial planning and variance analysis.
• Strong business partnering experience, with the ability to challenge operational and commercial managers and support decision-making.
• Experience working in a multi-entity, international or operationally complex business environment.
• Experience managing and developing Finance teams, with the ability to delegate effectively and build team autonomy.
• Strong analytical skills, with experience evaluating profitability, pricing, business performance and financial risks and opportunities.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with ERP and financial reporting systems. Sage Intacct and Power BI experience would be an advantage.
• Experience supporting business transformation, process improvement or acquisition integration would be an advantage.
• Excellent written and spoken English, with the ability to communicate confidently with senior stakeholders across the Group.

• Strong leadership and ownership – Takes full accountability for divisional financial performance, develops the team and ensures financial issues are effectively managed.
• Independent and confident decision-maker – Able to make sound financial judgements, resolve complex issues and escalate only matters requiring senior input.
• Commercially minded – Understands business performance drivers and looks beyond the numbers to identify opportunities to improve profitability and EBITDA.
• Proactive and solution-oriented – Anticipates challenges, identifies risks and opportunities early and takes action to address them.
• Analytical and detail-oriented – Combines strong financial analysis with a high level of accuracy and attention to financial control.
• Confident and constructive challenger – Comfortable questioning assumptions, challenging operational performance and influencing business decisions.
• Strong communicator and business partner – Builds effective relationships with Finance, Operations, Sales and senior leadership, communicating financial information clearly.
• Organised and results-driven – Manages competing priorities, meets deadlines and ensures delivery of high-quality financial information.
• Adaptable and improvement-focused – Embraces change, supports business transformation and continuously looks for ways to improve Finance processes and reporting.
• Collaborative but autonomous – Works effectively with Group Finance and other departments while taking ownership of day-to-day divisional Finance matters.
• People-focused leader – Coaches, develops and empowers team members, encouraging accountability and continuous professional development.

Annual Leave Entitlement: 23 days plus public holidays, one additional day of annual leave after three years of service and a further additional day after ten years of service.

Office Closure: Additional leave on the afternoon of the 24th and the 31st December

Weekly Hours: 40

Location: Central city location (Porto) near public transportation. Hybrid working available

Annual bonus: Discretionary Annual Bonus based on company and individual performance

EAP: Employee Assistance Program (Globally available)

Benefits Portal: Coverflex benefits allowance and discounts; Company-paid health insurance for permanent employees; Reduced-rate health insurance option for temporary employees.

Birthday off, if it falls on a working day

Full training provided

Free tea and coffee and option to bring dogs to work.

Great team spirit in the office and comfortable office environment 

Multi-cultural team and colleagues based globally