Finance Director - Stealth Startup

We are a well-capitalised, founder-led startup operating in stealth mode, building a global, IP-led live events and data-driven platform. We are seeking a Finance Director to own and build the finance function from first principles, supporting international operations across the US, UK and Europe. This is a senior, hands-on role for an operator who has scaled finance in complex, cross-border businesses and is comfortable with high accountability, pace and ambiguity.

Responsibilities

• End-to-end ownership of the finance function.
• Full ownership of financial operations, controls, reporting and compliance across multiple jurisdictions. Ensure compliance with international accounting standards, including US GAAP and IFRS. Final sign-off authority on accounting policies, financial controls, cash movements and statutory filings across all entities.
• Management, board and investor reporting. Design and implement robust KPI frameworks for internal management reporting. Produce high-quality board and investor reporting, including monthly, quarterly and ad-hoc analysis to support strategic decision-making.
• International finance operations. Oversee international reconciliations across multiple entities, currencies and banking structures. Own treasury operations, cash forecasting, liquidity planning and capital allocation. Manage FX exposure, hedging strategy and execution where appropriate.
• Systems, controls and risk. Select, implement and own core finance systems, including ERP, payments, expense management, consolidation and reporting tools. Design and enforce internal controls, fraud prevention and financial risk management frameworks, with specific focus on live event operations and cash-intensive environments.
• External and internal oversight. Manage external accountants, auditors and tax advisors across the US, UK and Europe. Oversee day-to-day bookkeeping, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and scalability of processes and outputs.
• Business partnership and transaction readiness. Act as a strategic partner to the founder and senior leadership team, supporting growth, international expansion and operational scaling. Lead budgeting, forecasting and scenario planning for a rapidly scaling international events business. Prepare the business for future financing, strategic transactions and institutional scrutiny, including audit readiness, data rooms and diligence processes.

Experience and background

• Senior finance leadership experience (Finance Director, Head of Finance or equivalent) in international organisations operating across the US, UK and Europe.
• Strong technical accounting background with hands-on experience of US GAAP and IFRS.
• Direct experience in event-led, live operations or similarly complex operational businesses with variable revenues and cost structures.
• Proven track record managing multi-entity, multi-currency finance structures.
• Experience working with external auditors, advisors and senior stakeholders in high-growth environments.

Personal profile

• Highly structured, detail-driven and commercially sharp.
• Comfortable operating hands-on in the early stages while building a finance function designed to scale.
• Clear ownership mentality with strong judgment and control orientation.
• Willing and able to travel extensively as the business scales internationally.
• Discreet, trusted operator comfortable working within a confidential, non-public environment.

Compensation

• Competitive base salary.
• Annual performance bonus tied to financial, operational and reporting KPIs.