Head of Corporate Finance

Are you ready to chart your own career path? With our refreshed strategy, we’re building on our rich heritage and transforming our business to be more scalable and efficient, unlocking the capabilities needed for future success. This includes significantly investing in technology, streamlining the way we work and creating an environment where colleagues feel engaged, empowered and accountable; where they can show up, speak up and perform - because we believe in the difference our work makes.

At a glance

Location: Cirencester Office

Workplace Type: Hybrid

Employment Type: Permanent

Seniority: Mid-Senior Level

About The Role

We are looking for an experienced Corporate Finance professional to lead our Partner Finance Structuring team, reporting directly to the Divisional Director of Corporate Finance. Managing a team of five subject‑matter experts, you will shape the strategic direction of our Corporate Finance capability, ensure lending propositions support Partner growth and succession, and act as the senior escalation point on complex financial cases. This role is pivotal in enabling Partners to make informed business decisions, ensuring lending is affordable, sustainable, and aligned with external funding requirements.

What you’ll be doing

• Setting the strategic vision, priorities and objectives for the Corporate Finance Associates to ensure Partner relationships are managed effectively and transactions are structured appropriately for external funding.
• Working closely with the Partner Finance Consultancy team to support Partner conversations regarding lending options for business acquisitions and growth.
• Acting as the primary escalation point for complex Partner cases, guiding Partner Finance Consultants in resolving challenges.
• Serving as the recognised subject matter expert in cashflow modelling, corporate valuations and complex financial structuring.
• Leading the development, implementation and communication of lending propositions that underpin SJP’s strategic goals, enabling Partner growth and facilitating business exits.
• Assessing financial and non‑financial factors of Partner businesses to produce high‑quality transaction proposals for senior management and committees including the Credit Advisory Forum.
• Providing leadership, coaching and professional development to a team of five, ensuring performance, capability growth, and alignment to SJP’s values.
• Ensuring compliance with conduct standards, Consumer Duty requirements and all relevant regulatory expectations.
• Collaborating with internal specialists across Risk, Legal and Partner Finance to deliver well‑reasoned, innovative solutions.
• Preparing and presenting verbal and written updates to senior stakeholders and committees.
• Managing business continuity responsibilities for your team and supporting controlled recovery efforts when required.

Who we’re looking for

We are seeking a strategically minded, analytical leader with deep corporate finance expertise and a passion for developing others. You will be confident engaging with senior stakeholders and Partners, able to navigate complex financial scenarios and influence outcomes effectively. With strong commercial acumen and excellent communication skills, you will play a key role in shaping how lending supports the long‑term sustainability and success of the Partnership.

Essential criteria

• Chartered Accountant (or equivalent professional qualification at RQF Level 7).
• Extensive corporate finance experience, including financial modelling and valuations.
• Proven leadership capability with experience managing and developing teams.
• Strong communication, negotiation and stakeholder‑management skills.

Desirable criteria

• Experience working within Partner‑led or professional services business models.
• Prior exposure to credit decisioning, lending structures or financial services regulatory environments.

What's in it for you?

We reward you for the work you do, whether that’s through our discretionary annual bonus scheme that reflects both personal and company performance, competitive annual leave allowance (28 days plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase an additional 5 days), or online rewards platform with a variety of discounts.

We also have benefits to support whatever stage of life you are in, including:

• Competitive parental leave (26 weeks full pay)
• Private medical insurance (optional taxable benefit)
• 10% non-contributory pension (increasing with length of service)

Reasonable Adjustments

We're an equal opportunities employer and want to ensure our recruitment process is accessible and inclusive for all, if you require reasonable adjustment(s) at any stage please let us know by emailing us at ***email_hidden***

Research tells us that applicants (especially those from underrepresented groups) can be put off from applying for a role if they do not meet all the criteria or have been on an extended career-break. If you think you would be a good match for this role and can demonstrate some transferable experience please apply, regardless of whether you tick every box.

What's next?

If you're excited about this role and believe you have the skills and experience we're looking for, we'd love to hear from you! Please submit an application by clicking ‘apply’ below and our team will be in touch.

As a business regulated by the FCA we would advise you to familiarise yourself with the conduct regulations and in particular consumer duty obligations prior to an interview with SJP.