At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and governance for a dynamic football club.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking EFL professional football club at a pivotal stage.
- Benefits: Opportunity for career growth and influence in the sports industry.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with exposure to senior leadership and strategic decision-making.
- Why this job: Shape the future of football while driving commercial success.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in finance, ACA qualified, with a passion for sports.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 € per year.
McBride Sport is proud to be supporting a forward-thinking EFL professional football club at a pivotal stage in its evolution, as it looks to appoint a Finance Director. This is not a traditional FD brief. It’s a development opportunity for a high-potential finance leader ready to step into a broader, more influential role. Someone in the ascendancy of their career who wants to help build, shape, and scale an ambitious organisation operating at the heart of the sports industry.
Working closely with the Chairman and Board, the successful candidate will act as a strategic partner and key architect of the club’s future, translating ambition into sustainable performance across football operations, commercial growth, and wider business interests. This role offers a rare blend of responsibility and runway. You’ll lead financial stewardship and governance, while also playing a hands-on role in shaping strategy, supporting football decision-making, and contributing to investment activity across a wider group structure.
Key areas of focus will include:
- Partnering with senior leadership on strategic and operational decision-making
- Driving financial planning, performance, and commercial growth initiatives
- Experience of growth and working capital management with investor led / owner management businesses
- Supporting football operations through robust modelling and budget management
- Leading and developing a small but high-performing finance and administrative team
- Ensuring compliance within a regulated sporting environment
We’re looking for a modern FD/Head of Finance profile which will be commercially astute, people-focused, and strategically minded with the credibility to operate at Board level and the hunger to grow into a broader leadership mandate. The role will provide exposure not just to finance but to broader general management and is ideally suited to someone who brings senior finance experience (c.5+ years) but is still on a steep upward trajectory and has trained as a qualified accountant (ideally ACA in a top 20 firm).
The role would suit someone who thrives in fast-paced, high-pressure, performance environment and is motivated by building something meaningful, rather than simply maintaining it. Experience within sport, entertainment, or similarly dynamic sectors is advantageous, but much more important is exposure to investor-led or owner-managed businesses.
To be successful you will appreciate the dynamic and often unstructured working pattern that elite sport and in particular football presents coupled with the expectations of a highly successful investor group. This is a role for someone who sees football not just as a sport, but as a platform for innovation, growth and long-term value creation and would like to use the skills and experience gained in this role to build a long-term career in elite sport.
Finance Director employer: McBride Sport
McBride Sport is an exceptional employer for finance professionals seeking to make a significant impact in the sports industry. With a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and growth, employees are encouraged to develop their skills while collaborating closely with senior leadership to shape the future of a professional football club. This role not only offers competitive benefits but also provides a unique opportunity to be at the forefront of strategic decision-making in a fast-paced environment, making it ideal for those looking to build a meaningful career in elite sport.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the sports finance sector, attend industry events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. We can’t stress enough how important it is to build relationships that could lead to opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the club and its financial strategies. Understand their goals and challenges, and think about how your experience can help them achieve success. We want you to shine as the strategic partner they’re looking for!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss how you've led teams and driven financial performance in previous roles. We believe that demonstrating your ability to inspire and manage a high-performing team will set you apart.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. We’re here to help you land that dream role, so take the leap and submit your application today!
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that align with the Finance Director role. Highlight your strategic thinking, financial stewardship, and any experience in investor-led businesses to show us you’re the right fit.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re passionate about this opportunity in elite sport and how your background makes you the ideal candidate to help shape our club’s future.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use quantifiable results to demonstrate how you’ve driven financial performance and commercial growth in previous roles. We love numbers!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at McBride Sport
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Director, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to the club's operations and be ready to discuss how you've driven financial performance in previous roles. Show them you can translate numbers into strategic insights.
✨Understand the Sport Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the current trends and challenges in the sports industry, especially in football. Be prepared to discuss how these factors impact financial decision-making and how you can contribute to the club's growth in this dynamic environment.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
This role requires a people-focused approach. Think of examples where you've led teams or influenced stakeholders. Be ready to share how you’ve developed talent within your team and fostered a high-performance culture, as this will resonate well with their expectations.
✨Align with Their Vision
Research McBride Sport and the football club’s ambitions. During the interview, articulate how your vision aligns with theirs. Discuss how you can help shape and scale the organisation, demonstrating that you're not just looking for a job, but a meaningful opportunity to make an impact.
