Interim Finance Director

Account Director at Campbell Brown Associates

Award winning, independent and privately owned Creative Agency are looking for an ambitious and commercially astute Finance Director with a track record of growing an SME, to cover while their current FD goes on maternity. The FTC would be for up to 12 months and ideally would start in April or May. The business is also happy to consider Finance Directors on a 4 day week basis.

The company has had strong and consistent growth over the last 10 years and is now looking for someone who has the vision to take the business on the next phase of our journey, with the drive to make it happen.

The Finance Director will act as a strategic partner to the leadership team, driving financial performance and embedding strong commercial practices across the agency. This individual will oversee all financial functions, including budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and compliance, while also supporting the agency in becoming more commercially astute.

The Role - Key Responsibilities:

Financial Strategy and Leadership

1. Develop and implement financial strategies aligned with business goals and values.
2. Provide strategic recommendations to the CEO and leadership team.
3. Lead financial planning, budgets, long-term forecasts, and cash flow management.
4. Identify opportunities for revenue growth, cost savings, and operational efficiency.

Financial Operations

1. Oversee the preparation of accurate and timely financial reports, including P&L statements, balance sheets, and cash flow reports.
2. Manage the agency’s accounting, billing, payroll, and tax functions.
3. Monitor key financial metrics, analyse trends, and present actionable insights.
4. Ensure proper financial controls, compliance, and risk management practices.
5. Manage relationships with external auditors, tax advisors, and financial institutions.

Business Partnering & Supporting Commercial Awareness Across the Agency

1. Provide training and resources to teams across the agency to build financial literacy and foster good commercial thinking.
2. Collaborate with leadership team and the wider team to improve financial decision-making and profitability across projects.
3. Support development of proposals and business cases with strong commercial analysis.
4. Work with teams to ensure pricing models and contracts align with both profitability goals and the agency values.
5. Partner with department heads to align budgets with strategic priorities.

Team Management

1. Lead, mentor, and develop the out-sourced finance team.
2. Foster a culture of accountability, accuracy, and collaboration.

The Person - Qualifications and Skills:

1. At least 8–10 years of experience in finance, with 3–5 years in a leadership role.
2. Previous experience in a communications, marketing, or creative agency.
3. Strong analytical and strategic thinking abilities.
4. Proficiency in financial software (e.g. Xero) and advanced Excel skills.
5. Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey financial concepts to non-financial stakeholders.
6. A passion for social and environmental sustainability and the ability to align financial practices with these values.
7. Leader with the ability to inspire and motivate teams.
8. Commercially minded with a good understanding of running a successful business.

Seniority level

Director

Employment type

Contract

Job function

Accounting/Auditing, Finance, and Strategy/Planning

Industries

Advertising Services and Marketing Services