At a Glance
- Tasks: Be the financial guru for exciting esports ecosystems and events, driving insights and decisions.
- Company: Join a dynamic esports company shaping the future of competitive entertainment.
- Benefits: Flexible work environment, growth opportunities, and support for your professional development.
- Other info: Collaborate with a diverse team and help streamline financial processes in a growing organisation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the fast-paced world of esports finance and operations.
- Qualifications: Finance experience, strong analytical skills, and a passion for gaming or entertainment.
Description
About BLAST
BLAST is a global competitive entertainment company working with some of the world's biggest game publishers, brands and entertainment properties to create world-class esports and live entertainment experiences.
We operate globally across multiple ecosystems, delivering everything from large-scale arena events and broadcasts to digital products and content.
Our values — Make it Bold, Make it Together and Make it Happen — shape how we work, collaborate and deliver.
The Role
We are looking for a Finance Business Partner to join our Finance team and take financial ownership of a portfolio of BLAST ecosystems and events.
This is a highly embedded and operational business partnering role. You will work closely with Ecosystem Leads, Event Delivery, Production, Commercial and other teams throughout the full financial lifecycle of our products — from budgets and forecasts through procurement, event delivery, financial close and reconciliation.
You will be the primary Finance point of contact for your areas of the business, helping teams understand their financial performance, make informed decisions and maintain strong financial control in a fast-paced global environment.
You will also help improve the processes and systems connecting planning, procurement, accounting and reporting as BLAST continues to develop its Finance operating model and technology.
The role reports to the Lead Finance Business Partner.
What you'll be doing
Business Partnering & Financial Ownership
● Act as the primary Finance Business Partner for your assigned BLAST ecosystems, building strong relationships with ecosystem Leads, Event Delivery teams and budget owners.
● Take end-to-end financial ownership of your ecosystems, understanding both their commercial model and underlying cost base.
● Provide clear financial insight, constructive challenge and recommendations to support operational and strategic decision-making.
● Identify financial risks, opportunities and efficiencies, translating financial information into clear actions for non-finance stakeholders.
Budgeting & Forecasting
● Lead budgeting and forecasting for your assigned ecosystems, working with cost owners and senior stakeholders to build robust financial plans.
● Own the accuracy and integrity of ecosystem WIPs and rolling forecasts, partnering with operational cost owners to ensure underlying estimates and commitments remain current., ensuring changes in scope, commitments, risks and opportunities are reflected promptly.
● Analyse performance against budget and previous forecasts, clearly explaining key movements and challenging assumptions where appropriate.
● Support wider company planning and reforecasting exercises.
Event & Project Finance
● Maintain financial oversight throughout the lifecycle of BLAST events and projects, from planning through delivery and final close.
● Work with Event Delivery and Production teams to ensure committed and anticipated costs are accurately captured.
● Lead post-event financial reconciliation, ensuring actual costs are correctly captured, investigated and allocated.
● Drive timely event close, resolving outstanding purchase orders, invoices, accruals and other financial items.
● Provide clear visibility of final event performance and material variances against budget and forecast.
Procurement & Financial Control
● Play a key role in BLAST's procure-to-pay process, ensuring expenditure is appropriately budgeted, approved and recorded.
● Review and approve purchasing requests for your ecosystems in line with agreed approval frameworks.
● Partner with budget owners to ensure purchase orders are raised accurately and on time.
● Work closely with Accounts Payable, Financial Control and operational teams to resolve invoice, PO and coding issues.
● Help maintain a clear connection between approved budgets, purchase commitments, accounting actuals and final payments.
Systems & Process Improvement
● Help improve the systems and processes supporting budgeting, forecasting, procurement, accounting and financial reconciliation.
● Identify opportunities to simplify manual processes, improve data quality and reduce duplication across Finance and operational teams.
● Support the implementation and adoption of new Finance and ERP technology.
● Help develop scalable processes, reporting and controls as BLAST continues to grow.
Requirements
We are looking for someone who combines strong financial fundamentals with commercial thinking, curiosity and a willingness to get close to how the business operates.
You will have:
● Experience within finance, commercial finance, management accounting, FP&A or business partnering.
● Experience supporting budgets, forecasts and financial performance management.
● A professional accounting qualification (CIMA, ACCA, ACA or equivalent), or be actively studying towards one.
● Strong analytical and Excel skills, with an interest in using technology, automation and new tools to work more effectively.
● Strong communication skills and the ability to build trusted relationships with Finance and non-finance stakeholders.
● The confidence to challenge constructively while remaining collaborative and solutions-focused.
● Strong organisation and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
● A proactive mindset and willingness to take ownership in a fast-moving environment.
Experience within esports, gaming, entertainment, live events, media, production or another project-based environment would be advantageous but is not required. Experience working with ERP, procurement, budgeting or data/reporting platforms would also be beneficial.
What success looks like
You become the trusted financial partner for the ecosystems you support — giving stakeholders clear visibility of financial performance and identifying risks before they become surprises.
Budgets and forecasts remain accurate as projects evolve, purchase commitments and actual costs can be traced back to the underlying budget, and events are financially reconciled and closed quickly and accurately.
Over time, you help make the way BLAST plans, spends, accounts for and reports money simpler, more scalable and more reliable
Benefits
- A unique opportunity to join a new esports organisation that has already achieved success – to be part of, and ensure, its growth.
- Support across all areas of your role to further your development and enable you to contribute to the business to the best of your ability and potential.
- A positive, flexible working environment.
- A fantastic team whose background lies in a variety of fields across sport and entertainment.
Finance Business Partner in London employer: BLAST
BLAST is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and innovative work environment in the heart of the esports industry. With a strong emphasis on collaboration and personal development, employees are encouraged to grow their skills while contributing to exciting projects that shape the future of entertainment. The company's commitment to flexibility and a positive culture ensures that team members thrive both professionally and personally, making it a rewarding place to work.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Business Partner in London
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like BLAST. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to BLAST.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on BLAST's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at BLAST
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with BLAST.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at BLAST will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former BLAST employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
