Parkinson

Hallmark Logo 360 x 180 px

 

 

 

 

International Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Bradford
£ six figure salary plus executive benefits package

 

Parkinson Lee Executive Search, part of the Elevation recruitment group, are acting as retained recruitment partner to Hallmark in the appointment of an International Chief Financial Officer (CFO) based at the UK Head Office in Bradford.

Founded over 100 years ago in 1910, Hallmark is a $4bn global greeting cards, gifts and family entertainment business headquartered in Kansas City, USA. Privately owned and in its third generation, the Hall family continue to head the company with Don Hall Jnr, grandson of the founder, as the current president and CEO. Available in over 100 countries and in 30 languages, Hallmark distribute through a network of independently owned / licenced stores, national and international retail chains and on line. The Group has subsidiaries outside the US, including the UK, The Netherlands Japan and Australia.


The international businesses employ c3000 people around the globe, 2200 of which are based in the UK & Ireland.  The products are predominantly cards, and gift wrap.

Key markets outside the UK & Ireland are Holland, Belgium, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and Japan.  There are also numerous licensing agreements across the globe run by the International team based in Kansas City and which form part of the international structure.

Hallmark has a strong set of set of values and principles which underpin corporate behaviour and relationships with employees, partners and other key stakeholders.

Strongly collegiate, Hallmark is also characterised by an entrepreneurial and innovative spirt with all divisions encouraged to identify and develop new opportunities – both in terms of market and product lines

Hallmark are now seeking to appoint an International CFO.  Reporting into the CEO UK & Continental Europe with a functional line to the EVP CFO based in Kansas City, the successful candidate will join the International leadership team and will play a major role in contributing to the strategic and operational development of the International businesses, providing support to the individual markets enabling them to achieve agreed commercial and financial ambitions.

The requirement is for an individual who is capable of high level strategic thinking whilst also being able to roll their sleeves up when required to ensure operational effectiveness and delivery across a diverse international business portfolio.

You will provide leadership and direction to the finance function Internationally and play a broader leadership role as a member of the UK Leadership Team.

Key Responsibilities will include:

  • Working alongside the joint CEO’s in managing and developing the strategic review and planning process, enabling the division to evaluate and assess priority areas for investment and profitable growth internationally
  • Quickly becoming familiar with Hallmark, its businesses and key values to establish credibility both personally and professionally with key stakeholders
  • Continuing to manage finance as a valued added business partner that will always be involved in key business decisions. Developing strong and supportive working relationships with colleagues and other stakeholders across the division and wider Hallmark Group
  • Providing strong motivational leadership to the finance function and ensuring the structure of the finance team meets the needs of individual businesses and key stakeholders
  • Ensuring timely, accurate and informative reporting and appropriate controls / risk management procedures are in place to provide the critical analysis of key business levers to enable strategic decision making.  This is a full-service role without the use of a shared service model

The successful candidate will be a qualified accountant with experience in strongly branded FMCG, Retail or similar sectors.  A proven track record working in a multinational organisation covering international markets is essential.

You will have significant experience of working at divisional board level with the ability to demonstrate contribution to the development of a business as a whole, as well as establishing a responsive, well respected value-added finance function that is known across the business for its strong internal and external stakeholder relationships.

You be a strategic and commercial business partner with proven leadership experience gained within in a well-regarded business, in addition, you will have demonstrated an ability to work as a member of a high performing team.

The ideal candidate will be change orientated, innovative, always seeking to improve.  You will be someone that will thrive in a dynamic and entrepreneurial environment, working with pace, energy and resilience.

This is a particularly important and exciting time to join a highly entrepreneurial and fast paced organisation and to play an important role in driving change and delivering profitable growth through both existing and new markets.

This position will be based in Bradford with regular travel to other markets.