What is Uniplaces?

Uniplaces is building a trusted, global brand for students. We believe in empowering student mobility and we have started by making the process of finding accommodation easier. We?re solving real-life pains and we?re backed by top tier investors such as Atomico, Octopus Investments, Shilling Capital Partners, and Caixa Capital to help us achieve this better and faster.

We are an internationally-minded company with an extremely talented team and global ambitions. Our decisions are driven by our core values of Passion, Impact, Trust, and Team Spirit - with which we aim at having a company where everyone feels accountable and empowered to achieve their full potential.

Overview of the Role

Reporting to the Finance Director, the Finance Manager will be responsible for the smooth running of the Finance operations team as well as playing a key role to the wider business as a leader within the finance team. The Finance Manager position will be based in Lisbon, with occasional traveling to London. As a Finance leader in the business, you will be managing a team in Lisbon with a remit to build a best in class finance operations function appropriate for the size and scale of our business.

This role is ideal for someone who wants a broad and wide-reaching finance role, requiring both technical expertise and honed communication skills. The preferred candidate will be experienced, able to adapt to change, and someone who enjoys working in a dynamic fast-paced environment

Key Responsibilities:

• Own, run, and actively participate in the month-end process, produce management accounts (P&L, cash flow, balance sheet, budget variances) for our leadership team and board reporting

• Ensuring a robust financial control environment through the implementation and provision of appropriate governance and authorization processes;

• Delivery of regular internal management reporting and analysis

• Consolidation of group results and ensure quality control over transactions and financial reporting

• Production of statutory accounts with our external auditors and local advisors

• Completion of VAT returns and compliance with local regulatory requirements across multiple jurisdictions, supported by local advisors

• Promote the improvement of current financial processes and systems to build a scalable finance infrastructure that will support ambitious business growth;

• Advocating a proactive and collaborative approach to business partnering across all areas of the company; working with stakeholders to help them and their teams understand the impact they have on business performance;

• Ownership of production of financial statements and smooth running of external audits both in London and Lisbon;

• Ensure that accounting policies comply with relevant accounting standards and that company policies are followed and that the group is compliant with tax law across the multiple jurisdictions in which it operates;

• Managing and developing the Lisbon finance operations team, which currently consists of 3; setting of personal and team objectives and goals that support both business priorities and individual development plans.

Skills & Experience:

• Strong academic track record;

• Previous experience working as a Finance Manager/Financial Controller (preferably within start up environments);

• Previous experience working with UK companies (and exposure to the related accounting/tax requirements) is highly desirable;

• Thorough knowledge of accounting principles and procedures

• Netsuite experience preferred

• Strong attention to detail

• An understanding of technology businesses and working within a high transaction/volume entity;

• Intellectually capable, with an ability to quickly assimilate new data and information into a commercial picture;

• Hunger and desire to grow with the role and the business, focused on realizing ambitious growth aspirations. Approaches their work in an energetic and resilient manner;

• Proven track record in management of teams and commitment to development of employees to foster a financial business partnering collaborative culture;

• Ability to build strong interpersonal relationships across the business while being able to provide the necessary business challenge in a respectful and productive manner;

• Appreciation of the importance of a robust financial control environment and governance processes with an up to date knowledge of key accounting policies relevant to Uniplaces;

• Experience with financial management and statutory reporting;

• Excellent English and communication skills (both written and oral), preferably with commercial exposure in previous roles;

Person specification:

• Positive proactive can do work ethic with ability to work autonomously and also collaboratively as required;

• Ability to motivate team, defuse and resolve tensions and prioritise according to business priorities;

• Unflustered about working in a fast paced dynamic and ever changing work environment.