Finance Director (part-time, 2 days per week)

This vital role has overall responsibility forthe effective financial management of a fast-paced design agency. You will be responsible for managing the day-to-day finance function for a business with revenues of circa £6m and managing our Project and Finance Manager and our external book keeping partner.

One of the key aspects of this role will be to ensure optimal financial performance and efficiency across the company, working closely with the company founders on the commercial operations of the business. You will help to shape our strategy for growth, providing guidance and delivering clear and accurate financial information to the Senior Leadership Team (SLT).

This vital role has overall responsibility forthe effective financial management of a fast-paced design agency. You will be responsiblefor managing the day-to-day finance functionfor a business with revenues of circa £6mand managing our Project and FinanceManager, and our external book keepingpartner.

One of the key aspects of this role will be toensure optimal financial performance andefficiency across the company, workingclosely with the company founders on thecommercial operations of the business. Youwill help to shape our strategy for growth,providing guidance and delivering clear andaccurate financial information to the SeniorLeadership Team.

Key responsibilities

• Support the owners and SLT with financial analysis and reporting
• Partner with all members of the SLT on the financial aspects of future growth plans
• Maintain a commercial environment for our client account teams, ensuring maximum profitability through effective work planning and efficiency
• Overall management of our finance IT system, Paprika (i.e. number of licences, upgrades)
• Monitor the business’s financial performance, using analysis to proactively solve problems, make recommendations and provide solutions
• Present regular commercial updates, highlighting visibility of impact on company performance
• Track and report on cash flow
• Ownership of the preparation of annual budgets, quarterly forecasting and strategic long-term planning cycles
• Identify opportunities for improving financial performance
• Establish and implement appropriate financial controls
• Ensure all systems developed are sufficient to support the planned expansion of the business
• Work with external stakeholders and HR Manager on publication of payroll journals
• Mentor and manage the Project and Finance Manager, in collaboration with the Client Services Director

Skills and experience

• Qualified ACA, ACCA or CIMA with excellent analytical skills and an interpretative ability
• Experience in managing a finance function, with strong knowledge of accountancy in a fee-based environment (i.e., design agency, professional services, architects)
• Naturally enthusiastic at the prospect of working with the founders and the SLT, to define our finance strategy for growth
  You are highly motivated by leading the finance function, driving meticulous and accurate reporting to key stakeholders across the business
• Ability to develop accounting, client management and billing systems and to set KPIs to aid company efficiency and ongoing margin enhancement
• Successfully motivate colleagues to deliver on commercial responsibilities and priorities
• Strong emotional intelligence and contribute to the culture through living the values andbehaviours