Rutherford Cross is delighted to be retained by Wireless Infrastructure Group to recruit a Group Financial Controller.

Wireless Infrastructure Group is an independent telecommunications infrastructure company. They build and operate communication towers and other wireless infrastructure to enable the connection between networks and the communities that rely on their services. WIG operates a portfolio of c.2,000 sites in the UK, Netherlands and Ireland. Its main customers include major mobile network providers such as 02, Vodafone, EE and Three, as well as over 100 other customers. The business is PE backed by 3i Infrastructure plc
WIG was launched as an independent infrastructure company in 2006. The telecoms sector is dominated by a handful of very large companies and WIG has brought competition, innovation and greater efficiency to the market. The business has grown steadily on the back of significant investment and an entrepreneurial approach to developing shared wireless infrastructure.
WIG is at an exciting time in its development. In July 2018 WIG completed a debt fund raising of £220m to accelerate its investments into neutral host, 5G- ready wireless infrastructure.

A Group Financial Controller role has become available to bolster the senior finance function, lead the planning, budgeting and reporting process and improve group wide systems. The Group Financial Controller will lead the core group team and report directly into the Chief Finance Officer. This will be a high-profile focused role with extensive commercial and operational interaction with the potential to succeed the Chief Finance Officer over time. The individual will also be involved in group wide projects will need to be able to work in a high paced, private equity led environment.
This represents an excellent opportunity for a motivated finance professional who wants to work in a high growth, Private Equity backed environment and within a company that can provide a firm career platform with good opportunities for personal and professional development.

Key Responsibilities:
The Group Financial Controller will be responsible for the following key deliverables:
External Reporting:
• All aspects of Group statutory reporting, ensuring adherence to relevant accounting standards and deadlines.
• Form opinion and evaluate impact of technical matters/disclosure and recommend appropriate policies to senior management/audit committee
• Develop plan for adoption and implementation of IFRS16
• Responsible for Group tax computation, liaison with tax advisors and submission of final computations
• Ensure all VAT and Payroll returns are accurate and prepared on time
• Key contact for external advisors including auditors, tax advisors, etc.
Risk & Control:
• Ensure a robust financial control environment
• Design internal controls to mitigate financial risk and ensure they are fit for purpose and operate as in intended
• Maintain all records, registers and books of accounts
• Ensure all filing requirements met
• Manage corporate governance compliance register and coordinate reporting inputs from across the business
• Manage annual insurance renewal process to maximize efficiency

Treasury & Banking:
• Responsible for ensuring compliance with all aspects of Facility Agreement, including information obligations and half yearly covenants tests
• Forecast and control debt drawdowns from existing Revolving Credit Facility
• Monitor working capital on a regular basis to ensure business operations are supported, highlighting potential issues
• Prepare cash flow projections on a weekly and monthly basis with appropriate level of granularity
• Optimise cash management & pooling
• Manage the execution of treasury and debt transactions: treasury deposits, senior debt interest, shareholder loan note interest and FX

Systems:
• Optimise the use of financial systems to reduce manual intervention/ reduce error risk
• Actively lead the discussion and evaluation of opportunities for integration with other business systems
• Manage maintenance, control and security of finance systems
• Work with Systems Development Manager to identify and develop opportunities to enhance systems and maximise benefit of existing functionality
• Ensure strong control and environment
Corporate Services:
• Own and run annual budgeting process across business
• Roll-out cost centre reporting across business based on annual budget assumptions

Own Projects and Strategic Initiatives:
• Provide technical leadership and direction to the businesses, partnering with the senior management team on an ongoing basis
• Support CFO in financial review and interrogation of capital expenditure and other proposals
• Supporting CFO in delivery of Group strategic initiatives

People:
• Develop a high performing team, ensuring clear lines of responsibility
• Actively manage personal development for self and team
• Manage team to meet business objectives

Experience
• Proven track record in leading and motivating teams within and across functions
• Experience of developing outstanding relationships across the businesses
• A background in organisations or environments with a high degree of complexity, ideally involving listed requirements
• Experience in presenting at Board level
• A proven relationship builder with the ability to increase co-operation across departments and sites
• Company secretarial experience an advantage

Qualifications
• Degree qualified with a strong academic track record
• Professionally qualified accountant (CA, ACCA, ACMA) with PQE consummate with a role at this level of responsibility Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
• Knowledgeable on current accounting standards and any proposed changes that are applicable to the business
• Ability to prioritise and adapt to workload
• Strong analytical, organisational and decision-making skills
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills with an ability to influence key members of senior management
• Ability to assess and drive business improvement projects
• Excellent IT skills, with a proven track record in optimising finance systems
• Knowledge of fair value / derivatives accounting would be advantageous

Please note Rutherford Cross is the retained advisor and all third party CV's will be forwarded for inclusion in the process.