"I was very impressed by the efficient manner in which Visionfr approached our brief. Upon providing clear direction on our requirements, the VisionFR team was able to consult with us to refine that brief before vetting and then delivering to us a great caliber of candidates at lightning speed from which to interview. I found the process seamless and swift."

David Shiell MD/Founder
Web Liquid Group

New Opportunitiespoint

Finance Director – Creative Agency in Central London – VFR3299

Role: Finance Director

Sector: Creative Agency

Location: London  

Hybrid:                    

Salary: £85,000 – #90,000

Reporting to: CFO

Ref: VFR 3296

VisionFR are working with a fab creative agency to find a Finance Director.  The Finance Director will be a key member of the agency leadership team, partnering closely with the CFO and senior leaders to drive financial performance, operational excellence and sustainable growth.  This role combines hands-on financial leadership with commercial partnering and operational oversight. The Finance Director will ensure robust financial controls, high-quality reporting, effective cash management and strong contractual governance, while helping client teams make informed commercial decisions.  The ideal candidate will be a high-performing Financial Controller ready to step into their first Finance Director position or an existing Finance Director seeking a broader leadership role within a dynamic, entrepreneurial agency environment.

Success in this position requires exceptional collaboration, commercial curiosity, strong attention to detail and the ability to build trusted relationships across all levels of the business.

Key Responsibilities of the Finance Director

Financial Leadership & Control

  • Lead day-to-day finance operations and ensure the integrity of financial information.
  • Oversee monthly management accounts, balance sheet reconciliations and reporting packs.
  • Ensure accurate revenue recognition and project accounting across Brand, Talent and Sport divisions.
  • Drive budgeting, forecasting and long-range planning processes.
  • Monitor working capital, cash flow and liquidity requirements.
  • Maintain a strong internal control environment and continuously improve financial processes.
  • Support year-end audit and statutory reporting requirements.

Commercial Business Partnering

  • Partner with client service and business leaders to improve commercial performance and profitability.
  • Provide financial insight and challenge on client engagements, pricing models and resource planning.
  • Develop project profitability analysis and divisional performance reporting.
  • Support business cases, investment decisions and growth initiatives.
  • Help operational teams understand financial performance and key drivers.

Contracting & Commercial Governance

  • Take ownership of financial and commercial input into client and supplier contracts.
  • Review contract terms, payment schedules, revenue recognition implications and commercial risks.
  • Partner with legal advisers and agency leadership to strengthen contractual governance.
  • Ensure commercial agreements support cash flow, profitability and risk management objectives.
  • Maintain oversight of key client commitments and contractual obligations.

Operations & Process Improvement

  • Work closely with the Finance & Operations Manager to optimise business processes.
  • Support implementation and enhancement of finance and project management systems.
  • Develop scalable processes appropriate for a growing agency environment.
  • Champion data quality and management information across the business.

Leadership & Team Development

  • Lead, mentor and develop the Finance & Operations Manager.
  • Foster a collaborative, high-performance and service-oriented finance culture.
  • Build strong relationships across the business
  • Act as a trusted adviser to senior stakeholders and department leaders.
  • Support the CFO in developing the wider finance function and future organisational capability.

Experience and skills of the Finance Director

  • Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
  • Experience within an agency, professional services, media, marketing, talent, sports or project-based environment preferred.
  • Strong financial control and reporting background.
  • Experience partnering with senior non-financial stakeholders.
  • Exposure to contract review, commercial negotiations and risk management.
  • Experience managing and developing team members.
  • Financial reporting and analysis.
  • Budgeting, forecasting and cash flow management.
  • Commercial modeling and profitability analysis.
  • Revenue recognition and project accounting.
  • Financial systems and process improvement.
  • Strong Excel and reporting capabilities.
  • Highly collaborative and relationship-oriented.
  • Commercially minded with strong business acumen.
  • Comfortable operating in a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment.
  • Pragmatic, hands-on and solutions focused.
  • Strong communicator able to influence at all levels.
  • Naturally curious with a continuous improvement mindset.
  • Organised and detail-oriented while maintaining a strategic perspective.
  • Resilient, adaptable and able to manage competing priorities.

VisionFR is committed to encouraging equality, diversity, inclusion and eliminating unlawful discrimination within our workforce and whilst fulfilling our Clients recruitment needs.

Due to the high level of applications being received if you do not hear from us within 5 working days, please assume your application has not been successful on this occasion, usually due to other candidates having more relevant sector exposure, qualifications or required skills. We thank you for your interest.

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