Head of Finance

Head of Finance (Veterinary) | Porto, Portugal

• Full-time
• Finance
• 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 rev