Head of Financial Control

Overview

In this role you will lead financial control and compliance for Motorway, ensuring accurate reporting and scalable finance operations. You’ll own month-end close, taxation, treasury, and the finance systems stack to enable rapid growth with minimal headcount. You’ll collaborate with Product, Engineering, Legal, and Operations, and manage auditors and HMRC relationships. This position combines hands-on execution with strategic transformation, including moving to an AI-native finance function. Your work will underpin trust with the executive team, board, and external stakeholders while supporting scale.

Responsibilities

• Own the integrity of monthly and annual closes, management and statutory reporting (IFRS/UK GAAP) and related reconciliations
• Set and maintain scalable financial controls, policies, and delegated authorities
• Lead end-to-end tax and regulatory compliance (VAT, PAYE, R&D relief, Companies House filings) and liaise with HMRC
• Manage audit and adviser relationships, planning and overseeing annual audits and external advisers
• Oversee treasury and cash management, including forecasting, working capital, banking relationships, and payment controls
• Supervise end-to-end payments, receivables, and payroll cycles with strong controls
• Own NetSuite and the finance tech stack, driving automation and the move to an AI-native finance function
• Lead and develop the finance team, including coaching and succession planning

Key requirements

• Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent) with substantial post-qualification experience
• Experience in technology, marketplace, or high-growth businesses with high transaction volumes
• Proven track record leading AI or automation initiatives in a finance function
• Experience managing finance teams through growth and change, with operational and strategic/ transformation exposure
• Hands-on month-end close, reconciliations and reporting under IFRS or UK GAAP
• Working knowledge of UK tax compliance (VAT, PAYE, R&D relief) and managing advisers/HMRC
• Experience owning a cloud ERP (NetSuite) and automating manual processes
• Strong working capital and cash flow forecasting expertise
• Excellent written and verbal communication with ability to explain finance to non-finance stakeholders

• strong communication
• leadership and people development
• stakeholder management
• NetSuite
• IFRS/UK GAAP reporting
• VAT, PAYE, R&D relief

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