Senior Director, Corporate Finance in London

Senior Director, Corporate Finance in London

London Full-Time 70000 - 75000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Kobalt

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead financial modelling and budgeting for Kobalt's global business units.
  • Company: Join Kobalt, a leader in music services and technology.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and a creative work environment.
  • Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and collaboration across teams.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in the music industry while driving financial strategy.
  • Qualifications: Qualified accountant with 8+ years in corporate finance and team leadership.

The predicted salary is between 70000 - 75000 £ per year.

We are hiring a Senior Director, Corporate Finance in London to support all of Kobalt’s business units. This high-impact, commercially focussed position will be part of the global Corporate Finance team and report to the EVP, Corporate Finance. You will help to drive the business through strategic FP&A – owning multi-year budgeting and strategic modelling, providing insight including revenue performance to C-Suite and Board and supporting capital markets initiatives.

What You’ll Do

  • Take full ownership of the multi-year (5-year) financial models, incorporating multi-entity budgeting, capital structure planning and evaluation of strategic growth initiatives.
  • Lead the global budgeting and quarterly re-forecasting processes across all business units, ensuring seamless integration of revenue, margin, costs, and cash flows.
  • Continuously drive improvement in modelling and forecasting, including refining model logic and assumptions while operating across multiple systems.
  • Drive the month-end close analysis, delivering comprehensive actuals vs. forecast comparisons, variance commentary, and reporting packs to the C-suite and Board.
  • Improve and integrate data across multiple systems and departments to increase reliability, accuracy and usefulness of reporting.
  • Respond to ad-hoc requests for financial information/analysis and support strategic and operational decision-making as appropriate.
  • Liaise with banks and manage bank reporting deliverables, including covenant reporting.

What You’ll Bring

  • You are a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CFA) with experience of independently managing forecasts and budgeting processes as well as owning complex models.
  • 8+ years experience in corporate development and/or budgeting role and experience preparing deliverables and presenting to C-Suite.
  • Proven experience or solid understanding of debt raising, capital structure optimization, or refinancing transactions, including banking arrangements and credit facilities.
  • Extensive experience managing a team of both senior and junior reports across multiple offices or time zones.
  • You have an advanced level of Excel as well as financial modelling skills, having built models from scratch.
  • Experience designing, implementing and documenting FP&A processes, improving efficiency and delivering department goals.
  • You have strong experience overseeing revenue forecasting, and are comfortable defining specific deliverables and proposing solutions.
  • You have experience querying and manipulating large volume complex datasets/databases and are comfortable using systems and tools such as Adaptive, Hyperion and BI tools like Tableau.
  • You may have experience working in the music or creative industries, but the most important thing is that you have an ability to work independently, and can efficiently manage tight deadlines in a fast paced environment and of course, a passion for working in music!

What Success Looks Like

  • By Month 3: You will have a strong understanding of Kobalt’s financial models, systems, and reporting cadence. You will be contributing to forecasting cycles, supporting model updates, and building relationships with key stakeholders across Finance and the wider business.
  • By Month 6: You will be confidently owning key areas of the forecasting process, refining model assumptions, and delivering clear, insightful analysis to senior stakeholders. You will also be supporting audit processes and improving the quality and efficiency of reporting outputs.
  • By Year 1: You will fully own the multi-year financial models and forecasting cycles, driving continuous improvements in modelling, reporting, and data integration. You will be a trusted partner to senior leadership, providing insight that informs strategic decision-making and leading a high-performing team across regions.

Key Behaviours for Success

  • Ownership & Accountability: Takes full responsibility for complex financial models, forecasts, and reporting outputs, ensuring accuracy, integrity, and timely delivery across all cycles.
  • Leadership & Team Development: Leads, develops, and supports a team across multiple locations, fostering a high-performance culture and ensuring consistent delivery of high-quality outputs.
  • Continuous Improvement: Proactively identifies opportunities to enhance forecasting, modelling, and reporting processes, driving efficiency and improving the quality and reliability of financial data.

Interview Process

  • Introductory call with a member of our Recruitment Team.
  • Interviews with team and hiring manager.
  • Case study.
  • Final stage interview and Q&A.
  • Feedback at each stage.

We aim to complete the full interview process from initial application to offer within three working weeks. While we do our best to meet this timeline, there may be occasional delays. If that happens, our Recruitment Team will keep you updated every step of the way.

Why Choose Us

At Kobalt, we’ve championed creators since 2000. Our technology and music services are built to make the industry more transparent, fair, and rewarding for artists, songwriters, and rights holders. We’re a company that thrives on creativity, collaboration, and progress. Our values Music First, Transparent, Tech Powered, and Transformative shape how we work and grow together.

Kobalt is an equal opportunity employer. We believe in equitable access to opportunities and are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and supportive workplace.

Important Notice

Applicants must be eligible to work in the United Kingdom. A full DBS check may be conducted on acceptance of the offer. Kobalt is an equal opportunity employer encouraging diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to protected characteristics.

Kobalt

Contact Details:

Kobalt Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Director, Corporate Finance in London

Tap into Campus Networks

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Get Certified

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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 Kobalt. 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.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Director, Corporate Finance in London

Financial Modelling
Budgeting
Forecasting
Data Integration
Variance Analysis
Capital Structure Planning
Team Leadership

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 Kobalt.

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 Kobalt'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 Kobalt

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 Kobalt.

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 Kobalt 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 Kobalt 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.