Financial Controller | PE-Backed Creative Group | London / Hybrid

Harmonic are delighted to be partnering with a fast-growth, PE-Backed creative group in their search for a Financial Controller and "right hand" to the CFO, to oversee the day-to-day running of the finance function and prepare the business for a future exit process.

The Client

Our client has an international presence across Europe, North America, and the Middle East. The business brings together several distinct creative brands under one roof, each operating in high‑end visual and experiential work for major global clients. The group has grown strongly over the past few years, with an ambitious near-term target to significantly increase profitability. Two years into the PE cycle, the focus is on structured growth and preparing the business for a future exit process, giving this hire genuine commercial weight from the outset.

The Role

Reporting directly to the CFO, the Financial Controller will be the number two in the finance function and the person who runs it day‑to‑day. This is a hands‑on role: you will own the month‑end process, lead the finance team, manage the statutory and audit workload, and take responsibility for banking and cash. The timing makes this particularly interesting – with a sale process likely within the next few years, whoever is in this seat will be central to due diligence preparation and the commercial story the business needs to tell. For the right person, there is a clear path to Group Finance Director.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end month‑end close across the group's entities, overseeing production of management accounts to agreed timelines.
• Lead and develop the day-to-day finance team, managing workload around month‑end and supporting the team's growth.
• Prepare and own the group's statutory accounts and manage the relationship with external auditors.
• Oversee day-to-day banking and cash management, including the group's primary banking relationship.
• Support the Group Finance Director on budgeting, forecasting, and reforecasting across the business.
• Build and maintain management reporting and financial controls, with an eye on what a future buyer will want to see.
• Play a leading role in preparing the business for financial due diligence as the PE exit process approaches.
• Partner with studio heads and operational leads on commercial and financial matters.

What our client needs to see (essential)

• ACA or ACCA qualified with a strong audit background.
• Background in professional services; strong candidates from adjacent services sectors welcome.
• A genuine track record as a Financial Controller or Group Finance Manager role with real ownership of the function.
• Experience running end-to-end month‑end close and producing consolidated management accounts across multiple entities.
• Proven ability to lead and develop a finance team.
• Deep technical grounding across statutory accounts, group consolidation, and audit management.

What we would like to see (non-essential)

• Background in creative services, agencies, media.
• Exposure to PE-Backed businesses or financial due diligence processes.
• Experience supporting procurement and new client onboarding processes, ensuring commercial and financial alignment.

Salary: £80,000-£100,000 + discretionary bonus + company benefits

Location: London (3 days in-office)

Start Date: Flexible

At Harmonic, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace. We actively welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and assure you that every candidate will be thoughtfully considered for the roles we represent, without regard to race, religion, gender expression, disability, or sexual orientation.