Portfolio Manager / Director

Portfolio Manager or Director, UK focussed SME Investor

CL0907

Finatal is partnered with a family-backed investment platform focused on acquiring and growing UK SMEs. The group takes a long-term approach, providing permanent capital to cash-generative businesses with strong market positions or defensible niches.

We are looking to appoint a Finance and Operations Value Creation Manager to drive performance across a diverse and growing portfolio. This is a highly hands-on role, working closely with management teams to deliver operational improvements, execute strategic initiatives, and support value creation at every stage of the investment lifecycle. The position also offers significant exposure to principals and the opportunity to play a key role in shaping strategy across the portfolio.

The role is London-based with regular travel to portfolio companies across the South East.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive value creation initiatives across the portfolio, with a hands-on approach to execution

• Partner with management teams to deliver operational improvements and growth

• Identify and prioritise key projects within complex SME environments

• Develop and implement best-practice processes across multiple sectors

• Build and maintain KPI dashboards tracking profitability, cash flow, and operational performance

• Support budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning activities

• Contribute to strategic decision-making and long-term planning

• Introduce new systems, processes, and technologies to improve business performance

Candidate Profile

• Strong experience in operational value creation, ideally within private equity, consulting, or hands-on industry roles

• Proven ability to work within SMEs or similarly dynamic environments (“messy middle”)

• Highly analytical, with experience building dashboards and using data to drive decisions

• Strong grounding in financial principles including budgeting, forecasting, and performance analysis

• ACA (or equivalent) qualification preferred

• High emotional intelligence with the ability to influence and manage stakeholders effectively

• Self-starter with entrepreneurial mindset and a clear bias for action

• Experience in transactions or due diligence is advantageous but not essential

• Adaptable, resilient, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced, evolving environment