Senior Finance Manager – Private Equity Real Estate

JSS Search is proud to partner with a globally renowned private equity firm in the search for a Senior Finance Manager to join their high-calibre Finance function in London.

Our client is one of the world’s leading private equity houses, with a sophisticated and expanding global footprint. The firm has recently undergone significant growth, including recent acquisitions and integrations and the opening of a new corporate office in New York, complementing its existing presence across key financial centres.

This is a newly created role offering a rare opportunity to step into a position of ownership and influence within a high-performing finance function.

This role focuses exclusively on the financial reporting, analysis, and strategic oversight of the firm’s owned and occupied real estate portfolio globally—this refers specifically to the firm's own operational office space (rather than real estate as an investment class).

The successful candidate will bring a balance of technical accounting expertise (particularly under IFRS 16) and commercial acumen, playing a key role in informing strategic decisions around office expansions, integrations, and cost management. The position will be based in London and offers regular interaction with senior stakeholders across global offices.

Key Responsibilities

1. Financial Reporting & Technical Accounting

• Lead the accounting and reporting processes for all leased and owned office properties across the global business under IFRS 16 and relevant local GAAPs.
• Prepare and review monthly and quarterly real estate-related financials, ensuring the accuracy of lease liabilities, right-of-use (ROU) assets, and related journal entries.
• Liaise with auditors during annual and interim reporting cycles, providing detailed supporting schedules and technical memos where required.
• Maintain and enhance lease accounting models and tools to support accurate forecasting and financial control.

2. Analytical Oversight of Real Estate Costs

• Deliver robust analysis of the firm’s global real estate cost base, including benchmarking cost per square metre, tracking operating expenses, and analysing trends in rent, utilities, and service charges.
• Provide insight into cost efficiency, utilisation rates, and space planning in partnership with Facilities and Procurement teams.
• Support annual budgeting and reforecasting processes with granular, office-level inputs and strategic cost scenarios.

3. M&A Integration and Strategic Projects

• Support finance integration following acquisitions, particularly in aligning newly acquired entities’ office costs and lease accounting with group policy.
• Evaluate the financial impact of new office openings (such as the recent New York office) and closures or consolidations.
• Develop and implement process improvements, automation initiatives, and enhanced internal controls around real estate accounting.

4. Local and Group-Level Compliance

• Coordinate with regional finance teams to ensure compliance with local statutory reporting requirements relating to office lease costs.
• Support the implementation of global policies and accounting standards, providing guidance and training to in-country teams as necessary.
• Partner with Tax, Treasury, and Legal teams on intercompany recharges, lease structures, and capitalisation of real estate projects.

Candidate Profile

We are seeking a technically strong, commercially aware finance professional who is comfortable operating independently within a complex global environment. The successful candidate will combine attention to detail with strategic thinking and a collaborative mindset.

Essential Qualifications & Experience:

• ACA Qualified - strong pass rate
• Audit / Assurance trained in a Big 4/Top 10 environment with strong Real Estate experience
• Proven expertise in IFRS 16 lease accounting and related financial reporting.
• Experience preparing and reviewing reporting across multiple jurisdictions.