Job Introduction
Craft, Creativity and Community – we are Company of Cooks! These are our values, and they go far beyond corporate waffle. In fact, they set the tone for everything we do. Company of Cooks have been working with some of the UK’s most cherished venues since 1996, delighting customers and clients alike with great food and drinks, brilliant service and an absolute focus on the details that make good restaurants, cafes and bars, great ones. In October 2019 the company was brought into the CH&CO family. The completion of the deal saw Company of Cooks become the group’s go-to operators in heritage and performance venues, art galleries and destinations. We are excited to be recruiting for a Finance Manager to look after our bars and restaurant division within Leisure.
Location: central London
Salary: £50,000 - £55,000 per annum depending on experience
Reporting to: Senior Finance Manager with strong dotted line to the Operations Manager
About the Role:
We are seeking an experienced Finance Manager to take ownership of the financial management of an established, high-profile Food & Beverage contract with turnover approaching £20million annually. This role will involve working closely with operational teams, ensuring accurate financial reporting, cost control, and providing commercial insight to support the ongoing success of the contract.
As a key member of the team, you will manage client-facing financial activities, ensuring transparency and fostering a strong partnership. The role will require an in-depth understanding of financial systems, processes, and reporting frameworks, as well as the ability to identify opportunities for financial and operational improvement.
Key Responsibilities:
Ongoing Financial Management & Client Engagement
- Manage the financial performance of the contract, including P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow reporting.
- Partner with operational teams to ensure financial accuracy, cost control, and efficiency improvements.
- Provide clear, transparent financial reports and insights to the client, strengthening the contract partnership.
- Monitor financial risks and ensure compliance with contractual and regulatory obligations.
- Support budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis, ensuring alignment with financial expectations.
- Oversee effective cash flow management and debt control, resolving issues proactively.
Strategic Financial Oversight & Partnership Development
- Work alongside commercial and operational teams to identify financial opportunities that enhance the contract’s value.
- Partner with the Commercial Growth team, highlighting financial issues and seeking their support in implementing cost control improvements.
- Identify opportunities for margin improvement, owning theoretical GP calculations, understanding the impacts of sales mix changes and ensuring stock controls are in place
- Influence strategic decision-making by providing detailed financial analysis, forecasts, and performance reviews.
- Collaborate on financial modeling for contract renewals, extensions, and new opportunities.
- Continuously review and improve financial processes, controls, and reporting structures.
- Develop and maintain financial governance, ensuring alignment with company policies and best practices.
- Support the senior leadership in implementing operational changes or new initiatives that drive business growth, enhance the customer experience, and improve customer retention and loyalty.
- Present figures and performance metrics at client meetings.
The Ideal Candidate:
- Proven experience in client-facing financial reporting, with the ability to build strong financial partnerships.
- Extensive experience in finance, accounting, or commercial financial management, ideally within a contract-based or multi-site business.
- Strong analytical skills, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning expertise.
- Demonstrated ability to manage P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow accounting.
- Excellent commercial awareness and the ability to collaborate with operational teams to drive financial performance.
- High level of proficiency in financial systems, Excel, and reporting tools.
- Finance qualification (CIMA/ACCA/ACA) is beneficial but not essential for candidates with proven experience and ability in the key responsibilities outlined above.
What's in it for you?
Working with Company of Cooks has its perks! People are at the heart of everything we do, so we've developed a range of benefits to keep you happy.
- Personal Development and Training opportunities
- Life assurance scheme
- Pension scheme
- Holiday allowance
- Private medical eligibility
- Eye care
- A great wellbeing strategy – including access to our Employee Assistance Programme, salary finance
- Family friendly support
- Regular social events and communication with our leaders
- A holiday purchase scheme
- Volunteering days
- Professional subscriptions
- Recognition schemes and people awards
- Long service awards
- Access to some great high street discount vouchers
Company of Cooks officially formed part of CH&CO Catering Group Ltd in 2020.
A Honest Approach, A Passionate Team, Quietly Confident