Group CFO, Private Equity-backed International Leisure Group, Hamburg, Germany - #2668981

About our client

Our client is an international, private equity-backed consumer platform operating a network of experience-led leisure venues across three European markets. Formed through the combination of three category-leading operators, it will emerge as the clear market leader in its space, underpinned by strong local consumer brands, recurring membership revenues and a scalable, multi-site operating model.

This is an exceptional opportunity to shape a fast-growing, PE-backed buy-and-build at a pivotal stage in its trajectory, with substantial scope to influence the group's development as it scales. The ambition extends well beyond financial performance: the vision is to build a leading consumer platform in an attractive niche sports category, leveraging brand, community and a premium customer experience to broaden participation and professionalise the category. Culturally, the organization is sporty, grounded and pragmatic, driven by genuine passion for what it does.

The finance function is currently decentralized, operating locally across multiple entities and currencies. Against this backdrop, the group is seeking to appoint its first Group CFO to join a small executive leadership team at a defining moment in its evolution. The role is based in Hamburg, Germany, though there is some flexibility on location for the right candidate.

What the job involves

• Acting as key sparring partner to the CEO, executive committee and the supervisory board
• Building a group finance function from scratch across three countries, multiple entities and three currencies
• Owning consolidated group reporting, planning, controlling and treasury
• Managing capital structure and balance sheet complexity in a capex-heavy model, securing the lowest possible cost of capital to fuel growth
• Establishing financial and operational transparency, including reporting structures, KPI frameworks and membership/unit-level performance metrics
• Overseeing statutory reporting and audit across all jurisdictions
• Managing banking relationships, debt facilities and covenant compliance post-transaction
• Steering the buy-and-build M&A agenda, including due diligence, financing and post-merger integration of acquired businesses
• Leading business case analysis and capital allocation for the new-site rollout (incl. ROCE)
• Leading group-wide ERP implementation and finance systems harmonization
• Shaping the group's technology and data strategy, including outsourced IT/MSP relationships and data governance
• Driving cost management, operational efficiency and margin improvement across the business
• Building and developing a high-performing finance team across multiple territories
• Supporting the business throughout the full private equity ownership cycle and beyond
  
  

Who we are looking for

• Strong academic background in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or a related field
• Proven CFO experience in a private equity-backed environment, ideally with exit exposure
• A builder rather than an optimiser: excited by the opportunity to shape the organization and build something international and lasting
• A professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or international equivalent) is a plus
• Execution-focused and strategic, a commercial finance partner rather than a pure technical accountant
• Strong command of capital structure and balance sheet management in a capex-intensive model, with a focus on optimising cost of capital
• Track record in integrating and transforming finance functions in decentralized, international organizations
• Strong M&A and post-merger integration experience, ideally in a buy-and-build context
• Solid debt and lender management experience, including financing structures and covenant monitoring
• Experienced in leading ERP implementation and finance transformation
• Consumer/B2C background strongly preferred; leisure, sports or membership-led business exposure a plus
• Deep expertise in performance management, KPI frameworks and financial transparency
• Entrepreneurial, energetic and commercially minded, with a strong consumer orientation and genuine affinity for the vision
• Hands-on, pragmatic and down-to-earth, enjoying building in a fast-moving PE-backed environment
• Ability to combine strategic leadership with operational execution
• Strong stakeholder management skills, including interaction with investors and senior leadership
• International experience and ability to work across cultures and regions
• Willingness to travel across all three markets
• Fluent in English; German language skills a strong plus