Private Equity
We are excited to partner with a prominent alternative investment firm to recruit a new Head of Finance. Renowned for delivering strong, consistent returns to its blue-chip institutional investors, the firm is well-positioned for sustained growth following the successful launch of its latest fund in 2024. This role offers a clear pathway to becoming Finance Director, encompassing fund oversight, team development, and strategic involvement in key projects such as fundraising and deal execution.
Description
Our client is a leading alternative investment firm, looking to recruit a new Head of Finance to lead their finance team.
Highly regarded for their expertise and consistent strong returns to its blue-chip institutional investors, the firm has successfully raised and begun deploying its latest fund in 2024, positioning it for continued success in a challenging market.
With a lean London-based operations team and a heavily outsourced model, the Head of Finance will oversee fund accounting, tax, and administrative matters, with the role expanding to include oversight of the group’s management entities over time. The candidate will build strong relationships with service providers and have the responsibility of managing a qualified accountant, contributing to team development.
As the role evolves, it will naturally expand to include ad-hoc projects such as collaborating on future fundraising with the investor relations team, driving finance improvement initiatives, and actively participating in deal closings and execution.
This position offers a clear path to advancing into a Finance Director role and is to be considered a career-propelling opportunity.
Responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities for this Head of Finance – Private Equity role include but are not limited to:
- Oversee & review the production of financial statements, quarterly reports, and annual audits for funds and cross-border investment structures.
- Oversee the quarterly IPEV-compliant investment valuation process.
- Manage and develop the finance team while driving finance improvement initiatives.
- Ensure accurate maintenance of books and records for all funds and SPVs.
- Provide detailed oversight of the offshore office, covering all finance and tax aspects of the group’s entities.
- Manage tax reporting obligations across jurisdictions, including the US, UK, Luxembourg, Guernsey, and Germany.
- Deliver detailed support for tax structuring, finance arrangements, exit waterfalls, and associated accounting.
- Oversee all fund performance data and reporting as well as manage the maintenance and calculation of carried interest, co-investment schemes, and management fees.
- Take on ad hoc finance projects as required to support the firm’s growth and operational needs.
Skills
The skills and experience required for this Head of Finance – Private Equity role include but are not limited to:
- Strong academic background with at least a 2:1 Bachelors degree
- Qualified ACA
- Strong technical accounting/audit background
- Excellent knowledge of the tax and accounting aspects of Private Equity, Limited Partnership funds and SPVs
- Thorough knowledge and application of IPEV guidelines to lead the valuation process
- Strong leadership/management and interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate confidently and earn respect and build trust at all levels
- Experience of working with offshore funds / SPV structures in Guernsey / Luxembourg respectively (and the outsourced administrators thereof)
- A proactive approach and ability to work on own initiative
- Trustworthy and discreet, with ability to handle confidential and sensitive material
Apply
To apply for this Head of Finance – Private Equity role, please press the apply button.
This client is London office-based and do not have the ability to provide sponsorship for a visa. They operate a hybrid working model with 1 day per week remote work.
Please note that due to the expected volume of applications, we will only be able to respond to those candidates whose experience matches the requirements of our client. We are sorry, but if you have not heard from us within the next ten days, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Walker Hamill has been the leading recruiter of Finance Directors, Financial Controllers and Fund Accountants to UK and European private equity firms for over 30 years. We work with a highly diversified client group, including buyout funds of all sizes, growth & venture capital investors, real estate funds, co-investment vehicles, secondaries funds and fund of funds. Headquartered in London, we have additional offices in continental Europe.