Chief Financial Officer

Mackie Myers are supporting an exciting high-growth Technology Buy & Build company in the Defence & Cybersecurity space.The OpportunityAt a time when security, defence and resilience technologies have become critical national priorities, our client has established a distinctive position as both a company builder and investor in these strategically important sectors.The organisation brings together deep security-sector expertise, experienced company builders, accelerated technology development capabilities, and strong governmental and commercial networks to create and invest in ambitious technology businesses.They are now seeking a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to build, lead and scale the financial capability across the organisation and its growing portfolio of companies.This is a broad and highly operational executive role spanning the core business, newly established businesses created through its venture-building activities, and third-party companies in which it invests.Combining strategic finance with hands-on execution, the CFO will work closely with founders, investment professionals and operating leaders to allocate capital effectively, establish robust financial infrastructure, manage risk and drive sustainable value creation.This is a genuinely hands-on opportunity. The successful candidate will be equally comfortable shaping strategy with the leadership team, supporting founders and investors, and getting into the detail required to build high-quality finance operations from the ground up.The role is hybrid, with three days per week based in the London office.ResponsibilitiesThe CFO will take responsibility for financial leadership across the organisation, its company-building activities and its investment portfolio.Corporate & Platform FinanceOwn the organisation's financial strategy, planning, budgeting, forecasting and reporting.Develop annual budgets, rolling forecasts and long-range financial models.Oversee cash management, treasury, runway planning and capital efficiency.Establish robust financial controls, policies and governance.Oversee accounting operations, including general ledger, AP/AR, payroll, tax and audit.Ensure compliance with relevant legal, tax, accounting and regulatory requirements across jurisdictions.Act as the principal finance contact for external auditors, tax advisers, banks and legal counsel.New Company CreationDevelop repeatable financial playbooks for the formation and scaling of new portfolio businesses, including entity setup, banking, cap tables and accounting infrastructure.Partner with founders from day one on financial modelling, unit economics, pricing and revenue strategy.Develop hiring plans, budgets, cash-burn scenarios and go-to-market assumptions.Translate founder vision and commercial plans into credible, investor-ready financial narratives.Establish scalable financial systems and controls early in each company's development.Where required, operate as an interim or fractional CFO to early-stage portfolio companies.Investment & Portfolio SupportSupport the investment team with fund-level and deal-level financial analysis.Build and maintain financial models for new investments, follow-on funding and potential exits.Oversee fund accounting, capital calls, distributions and investor reporting.Monitor portfolio performance, KPIs and valuation assumptions.Support financial due diligence, deal structuring and post-investment monitoring.Maintain appropriate financial governance and separation between investment funds, the central organisation and its operating businesses.Strategic Planning & Capital AllocationAdvise senior leadership on capital allocation across the organisation and its portfolio.Assess the financial and strategic returns of new initiatives and investments.Support fundraising at corporate, fund and portfolio-company level.Prepare board materials, investor updates and financial papers.Identify financial risks and opportunities and provide clear recommendations to senior stakeholders.Systems, Data & ProcessesSelect and implement appropriate finance, accounting, reporting, cap-table and expense-management systems.Establish consistent KPIs, dashboards and reporting standards across multiple businesses.Automate and standardise processes wherever appropriate.Build and lead a lean, high-performing finance capability, working with external advisers and partners where required.The position is dynamic and requires regular context-switching. On any given day, the CFO could be reviewing cash and runway, working with a founder ahead of an investor presentation, supporting an investment decision, resolving tax or accounting questions, preparing board reporting or implementing a new financial process.The Successful Candidate This opportunity will suit an accomplished finance leader with the credibility to operate at executive, founder, board and investor level, together with the appetite to remain highly hands-on.The successful candidate is likely to bring:10+ years' experience across finance, accounting, investment or operational leadership.Previous experience as a CFO, VP Finance, Finance Director or equivalent senior finance leader.Experience gained within start-ups, venture-backed companies, company-building environments, investment businesses or similarly fast-paced organisations.Strong understanding of venture finance, fund structures and early-stage business economics.Deep expertise in financial modelling, forecasting, budgeting and capital strategy.Strong working knowledge of accounting standards, tax, financial controls and regulatory compliance.A proven ability to build finance functions, systems and processes from the ground up.Experience supporting fundraising, investment activity and senior-level commercial decision-making.The ability to operate effectively across multiple businesses and competing priorities simultaneously.Alongside the technical experience, they will demonstrate a genuine builder mentality. They will enjoy creating structure where little exists and be analytical without becoming overly theoretical.They will be a pragmatic, commercially minded and execution-focused leader who can establish credibility quickly with founders and investors. An ability to translate complex financial information into clear commercial insight will be essential.The successful candidate will also demonstrate excellent judgement, integrity and discretion, remaining calm and effective in fast-moving and occasionally ambiguous environments.Why Join?This is a rare opportunity to join a high-calibre leadership team at an early stage in the development of an organisation operating at the intersection of technology, investment, company creation, security and defence.Rather than taking financial responsibility for a single established business, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to help shape an expanding ecosystem of companies addressing strategically important security and resilience challenges.The CFO will have significant influence over the development of the central organisation while also working directly with founders and investors to create, finance and scale new technology businesses.The role therefore offers an unusual combination of executive-level strategic influence, investment exposure, company creation and hands-on operational leadership.The successful candidate will receive a competitive executive salary and benefits package, together with the potential to participate in equity-based incentives, providing meaningful opportunity to share in the long-term value created.The organisation also offers flexible working arrangements, private health insurance and pension provision.