Financial Controller

Financial Controller

"Numbers expert, pickleball enthusiast"

You bring your expertise, enthusiasm, and curiosity; and we’ll provide you with space to play.

• Full Time – Permanent Contract

• £70,000/annum

• Onsite Role

• Based at Mad Swans in the Mendips (Bristol) or Mad Swans in the South Downs (Farnham)

Mad Swans in the Mendips is located in Farrington Gurney near to Bristol & Bath.

Full Address: Marsh Lane, Farrington Gurney, Bristol, BS39 6TS.

Mad Swans in the South Downs is located in Blacknest near to Farnham & Alton.

Full Address: Frith End Road, Blacknest, Hampshire, GU34 4QL

Find out more about Mad Swans and what The Times had to say about our first opening at Mad Swans in the Mendips:

Can a cool new hotel near Bath really make golf fun for everyone?

Mad Swans is now recruiting for a Financial Controller to join our small Finance Team. This is a new role within the Finance Team which will support our future growth.

This role will work closely with the Finance Director to drive business strategy and support key commercial decisions, while taking ownership of the day-to-day financial operations and controls. Combining strategic insight with a hands-on Financial Controller approach, the role will oversee financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting, cash flow management, internal controls and the delivery of accurate, timely financial information to support business performance and growth.

The Financial Controller role will grow with the business as we expand and open new sites. This role will report to the Finance Director and will work closely with the Group Finance Manager and Group Payroll Manager.

What we do

We are experts in our field, committed to creating boundary-pushing social spaces that spark meaningful connections through play in nature.

Mad Swans is a countryside hangout for mavericks. The unruly. The friendship groups you wish you were in. The families you want to hang out with. The evenings that go on forever. And the weekends that become folklore. Come for a good time. Come for a long time. Come for a breath of fresh air.

Whoever you are. Come as you are.

Social play spanning Padel Tennis, Pickleball, Darts, Shuffleboard and Golf gives guests the chance to explore one game or sample them all, across a few hours, a day, or a long weekend. We’re all about great food, which is why we’ve teamed up with experts in their field to create two distinct dining experiences and endless ways to enjoy them. The Potting Shed proudly boasts a menu of refreshing takes on Brasserie classics while, in The Hangout, the focus is on shareable plates with no compromise on flavour. But wherever guests find themselves, from course to court, the meadow to the orchard, they’re never far from a plate of something delicious. And, for evenings that go on forever, an Eco Cabin for the night is only a starlit walk through the wilderness away.

What we can do for you

We understand that there’s more to life than work, which is why our roles are designed to allow exploration, from long-time passions to brand-new intrigues.

We believe that to be interested is to be

interesting – that means industry-leading training inside and outside of your specified job role. If you have a question, we want to provide you with the tools to answer it. As we make our start in the world, our team need to be able to wear a few different hats, which we treat as an opportunity, allowing you to take considered detours into topics of interest, in the pursuit of a broader, richer perspectives.

And out of hours, our guests’ playground is yours too. Enjoy the wide variety of green spaces, and the games they host, at an exclusive rate. You’ll have the opportunity to get involved in all things Mad Swans, from padel lessons to cocktail workshops, after all, we want you to be as excited by our product as we are.

What there is to it

• Work closely with the Group Finance Manager & Group Payroll Manager

• Deliver high-quality insights that drive growth and profitability

• Advanced financial modelling

• Partner with operational and commercial leaders

• Develop pricing models and strategies which drive and support commercial decision making

• Create and set budget templates

• Work closely with the Senior Leadership Team to review, discuss and set departmental budgets in line with our overall financial model and goals

• Ongoing forecasting and re-forecasting during the financial year

• Analyse commercial trading and identify trends and patterns

• Cash flow forecasting and planning

• Work closely with the Finance Director to manage and control cash flow

• Optimise credit terms

• Create Board Packs

• Using BI/MI tools, including Datarails

• Regular financial reporting including oversight of periodic Management Accounts

• Ensure Datarails and other systems are updated and maintained

• Act as the main point of contact for the annual group audit

• Tax compliance and reporting

• Internal controls and risk management

• Ensure compliance in terms of GDPR and when dealing with bank procedures and processes

• General finance related administration, including reviewing VAT returns and payroll taxes

As well as the technical and functional elements of this role, we are also actively searching for a candidate who will live and breath our brand and product from an operational perspective in order to identify systems limitation and drive both improvements and efficiencies.

This is a full-time permanent position. The salary for this role is up to £70,000,000/annum, depending on experience.

Location – this is an onsite role and will be located at Mad Swans in the Mendips, Marsh Lane, Farrington Gurney, Bristol, BS39 6TS or Mad Swans in the South Downs, Frith End Road, Blacknest, Hampshire, GU34 4QL.

Travel Requirement - this role will require occasional travel to our current and future sites.

Working Hours – the working hours will generally be core office hours, however, occasional evenings and weekend work maybe required at times.

Working Days – this role will predominantly work Monday to Friday.

Who we’re looking for

We are looking for a Financial Controller who is:

• A qualified accountant preferably in practice with at least two years of post-qualified experience

• Commercially minded

• Able to see the big picture while retaining a strong attention to detail

• Ideally experienced within hospitality and/or consumer goods

• Strong with systems and applications, and ideally familiar with Datarails

• Proficient in using Excel and other Microsoft applications

• Detailed orientated in terms of attention to detail and ability to be analytical

• Comfortable working in a fluid and an entrepreneurial environment

• Excited about being part of a new brand concept and growing team

• An excellent communicator

• Strong organisational skills and able to multi-task

• Confident, outgoing and well-presented

• Self-driven and highly motivated

• Happy and able to work both independently and as part of a team

• Proactive, positive and resilient by nature

• Highly organised and comfortable working in a very fast-paced environment

Please note, you must be eligible to work in the UK as we are unable to sponsor any work permits or visas.

What is in it for you

• Free Parking

• Free Employee Meal whilst on shift

• Wage Stream – access your pay for hours worked before pay day

• Employee Discounts on Food, Sports, Activities, Cabins and in the Retail Shop

• Reward & Recognition Initiatives

• Team Social & Well-being Activities & Events

• Employee Referral Scheme Bonus

• Mad Swans Hoodie

• Plant your own tree at Mad Swans