Senior Finance Manager (Frieze)

Description
About MARI Group
MARI is a global events and experiences company powering world-defining live experiences. Our portfolio of premium live properties spans sports, art, and entertainment — including the Madrid and Miami Open tennis tournaments, Frieze (a leading voice in contemporary art), and Barrett-Jackson (the premium U.S. collector car auction company). MARI also includes TodayTix Group, the global e-commerce leader for cultural experiences, connecting millions of customers with the best in live entertainment.
MARI is reshaping the live events landscape — building a growing portfolio of category-defining events and brands that set the standard for what's next, across sports, entertainment, art, and lifestyle.
At MARI, you'll work alongside people who are passionate, curious, and driven — people who believe that live experiences have the power to shape culture, and who care about the work, the mission, and each other. We welcome outstanding applicants of all backgrounds and encourage everyone to apply.
About Frieze
Frieze is the leading global organization for art and culture, producing internationally acclaimed fairs in London, New York, Los Angeles, Seoul and Abu Dhabi, alongside Frieze Masters, The Armory Show and EXPO Chicago, as well as a year-round programme of editorial, events and partnerships.
About the Role
We are seeking a enthusiastic Senior Finance Manager who will work closely with the Head of Finance, Finance Director, MARI Finance team and Frieze business. This is a senior role within the Frieze Finance team.
The role has two main deliverables:

• Ownership of the FP&A process for Frieze, ensuring timely and accurate reporting supported by insightful analysis
• Operation of Frieze’s newest fair launch – Frieze Abu Dhabi

In addition, the role is responsible for the management of 2 direct reports, ownership of Frieze’s overheads position, including reporting, planning and analysis as well as coordinating all parent company deliverables, including group reporting, statutory submissions and cashflow management.
What You'll Own:
Financial Planning & Analysis:

• Responsible for consolidating, analysing and uploading budget and forecasts throughout the internal and external planning cycles for the fair P&L in cooperation with Heads of Department to gross margin level. This includes version on version variance analysis and challenge
• Responsible for compilation, analysis and review of budget and forecasts throughout the planning cycle for Frieze’ overheads position, including headcount planning
• Responsible for compiling, maintaining and analysis of cash flow forecasts for relevant areas, including full year and rolling 90 day forecasts
• Review and preparation of monthly reporting and annual financials for the business with the help of direct reports which includes key analysis on variances to budget/forecast, KPI’s as well as assessing Risks & Opportunities.
• Responsible for submission of group cashflows, coordinating with the rest of the finance team to consolidate and review each submission

Frieze Abu Dhabi
The fair is to launch in November 2026 in partnership with Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT). This role will need to be fully across all revenues and costs associated with the fair and be responsible for the submission of Budget, Actuals and interim forecast submissions to DCT as well as handling any subsequent interrogations of the submissions.
Revenue & Direct Cost activities:

• Delivery the revenue process for the events business, including:
• All gallery and 3rd party supplier commission billing, ensuring billed amounts are accurate and issued in a timely manner
• All ticketing revenues and revenue share arrangements
  1. Managing the credit control process including customer communications and contact and reporting to fair directors and CFOO. Targeting a 100% collection rate pre-show open
• Managing the direct cost position for the fair, including reviewing forecasts, accruals and reconciliations of key budgets. This includes closing out events in a timely manner, liaising with budget holders and reporting on variances to Budget
• Preparation of all reporting and associated financial reporting requirements to Abu Dhabi DCT including post-fair final P&L, Cash flow and coordination subsequent interrogations of submissions

Group Overheads:

• Responsible for monthly corporate overhead management accounts (e.g. salaries, rent, rates, finance, office costs, IT & CAPEX) and business partnering with department heads to ensure that budgets are properly managed

Financial Planning & Analysis:
Business Partnering

• Role operates as a key business partner for Frieze Abu Dhabi and Group overheads positions, including regular reporting, ad hoc analysis and performance updates as requested by business partners

Other Corporate responsibilities:

• Management of 2 direct reports; 1 Management Accountant and 1 Assistant Accountant
• Control monthly reporting to our parent company on P&L and Balance sheet, including additional quarter end reporting requirements
• Main point of contact for internal and external tax resource on global tax matters, coordinating responses with the entity controller, drafting comps and ensuring that Frieze are taking advantage of legitimate opportunities to reduce tax burden
• Assist Head of Finance in developing more efficient finance processes as Frieze and it’s new parent migrate to new systems (ERP, Expenses management system, HR Information System)
• With HR submit monthly payroll files to third party payroll provider ensuring payroll is accurate and up to date
• Stay on top of developments in US GAAP, UK FRS, UK and US tax and ensure that the Finance team are kept up to date with these developments where applicable
• Support the HoF and CFO with ad hoc work as required

Work on-site at Frieze art fairs on Finance matters
What You Bring:
Qualifications & Experience:

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Minimum 3 years post-qualification experience in a relevant / comparable sector.
• Experience of either working in or auditing the media / creative sectors welcome
• Proven track record in a Finance Manager or Finance Business Partner role, with demonstrable experience in month end, forecasting, budgeting, variance analysis, and KPI reporting
• Strong background in management accounting and financial modelling, with ability to provide actionable insights that support growth and cost optimisation
• Experience in building and managing relationships with stakeholders and external partners
• Good knowledge of US GAAP, UK accounting standards and UK tax. Knowledge of US tax a bonus but not a pre-requisite

Skills & Competencies:

• Advanced Excel and financial modelling capability; strong proficiency with accounting software (SAP preferred)
• Excellent communication skills and able to translate financial data into clear, commercial insights
• Strong business partnering skills. Confidence to challenge, influence, and support decision-making. Someone who is capable in building relationships with colleagues from different parts of the business (Finance team, Mari and Frieze Business)
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail
• Track record of driving process improvements and implementing best practices
  

Personal Attributes:

• Commercially astute with a strategic mindset and strong analytical ability
• Proactive, adaptable, and solutions-oriented
• Collaborator with the ability to engage effectively across all levels of the organisation
• High levels of integrity, accountability, and professional judgement
• Communicate effectively and build strong relationships with stakeholders.
• Drive process improvements and contribute to wider finance projects.
• Ability to put financial theory into practice i.e. someone that knows their stuff but is also is practical and can deliver in a small company set up

Benefits
Here are some of the Benefits and Perks offered at MARI Group:

• Hybrid work environment (blend of in-office and at-home days)
• Pension match and access to a bespoke pension scheme
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Enhanced gyms, wellness and financial wellbeing apps access via Wellhub
• Flexible Paid Time Off

MARI believes in the power of live experiences to unite people — and we know that can only be achieved when we reflect the full diversity of the world around us. As a global company that shapes culture across sports, art, and entertainment, we are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace and to practicing anti-discrimination across race, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, and beyond. We recognise that systemic inequality and discrimination remain challenges across the events and entertainment industry, and we are dedicated to driving meaningful progress — both within our own organisation and across the wider industry we are proud to be part of.