Central Cost Financial Controller

Imagine shaping the financial discipline behind a complex, multi-brand hospitality group — where clarity, control and insight drive smarter decisions. You take ownership of central costs across the organisation, ensuring reporting is accurate, transparent and trusted, while strengthening control across overhead spend. From budgeting and forecasting to month-end and analysis, you turn financial data into clear insight — helping leaders understand performance, challenge spend and drive better decisions. Partnering closely with senior stakeholders, you influence, challenge and guide — embedding financial discipline and improving cost visibility across the business. As Central Costs Financial Controller, you’re not just managing overheads — you’re enabling the organisation to operate with greater control, confidence and commercial focus. This is a hybrid role, requiring you to be based at our Watford Head Office 3–4 days per week. What You Will Do In This Splendid Role Lead month-end close, financial reporting and control for central cost functions, ensuring accurate accruals, prepayments, cost allocations and variance analysis Own budgeting and forecasting processes , partnering with budget holders to challenge assumptions, monitor spend and identify cost efficiencies Deliver strong business partnering to senior stakeholders, providing financial insight, decision support, and input into business cases and investment analysis Produce clear management reporting , highlighting cost performance, risks and opportunities while ensuring data accuracy and consistency Maintain robust financial governance and compliance , supporting audit processes and ensuring adherence to accounting standards and internal policies Drive process improvement and optimisation , enhancing reporting, systems, controls and automation across the finance function Support and develop finance team capability , upholding high standards of financial discipline, analysis and stakeholder engagement What Makes You Splendid Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) Significant experience in financial control, management accounting or central cost finance within large, complex organisations Advanced Excel and financial modelling skills, with experience using ERP systems (e.g. SAP, Oracle, Workday or similar) Strong knowledge of financial reporting, controls, budgeting, forecasting and variance analysis Commercially astute, able to translate financial data into clear, actionable business insight Highly detail-oriented, ensuring accuracy, data integrity and robust financial control Confident communicator with proven stakeholder management skills, including influencing senior and Board-level audiences Proactive and accountable, with a track record of driving improvements and challenging constructively Collaborative in approach, building strong relationships across Finance and the wider business Agile and organised, able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment We live by our values, and we’d love you to bring them to life every day: Nimble – Thrives in a fast‑paced environment, adapting quickly to changing priorities, organisational needs and cost pressures Honest – Operates with integrity and transparency, ensuring accuracy in reporting, robust financial controls, and clarity in cost ownership Brilliant – Brings curiosity and a drive for excellence, using financial insight to challenge spend, identify efficiencies, and enhance business performance Open – Builds strong, trusted relationships with senior stakeholders, confidently translating financial data into clear, actionable insight Our Splendid Benefits When you join Splendid, you will enjoy a reward package to support your lifestyle, wellbeing and career. Here are just some of the benefits on offer: Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – confidential wellbeing support whenever you need it with 24/7 access to remote GP appointments. Hotel Room Discounts – stay with us or our partner hotels at special team rates including discounted rates for friends and family. Food & Beverage Discounts – enjoy meals and drinks at reduced prices across our hotels. Life Assurance – peace of mind for you and your loved ones. Salary Sacrifice – Car Scheme - Our team members can enjoy the ultimate benefit of driving a brand new, fully insured and maintained car for a fixed monthly amount taken from their salary. Stream – access your earned wages up to 50% whenever you need them giving you financial flexibility and Highstreet discounts available. Pension - Auto enrolment into the company pension scheme. Learning & Development - Opportunities available to progress your skills and career.