At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance operations, budgeting, and coaching in a dynamic marketing agency.
- Company: Join a scaling SME marketing agency that values finance as a strategic partner.
- Benefits: Up to £45k salary, 30 days holiday, private medical insurance, and flexible working.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by shaping finance processes and driving growth.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in finance, AAT qualified, and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 45000 € per year.
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We're hiring a Finance Manager to drive operational and commercial excellence in a high-growth marketing agency. Reporting into the Finance Controller, you'll own month-end, budgeting, forecasting, and day-to-day finance leadership, while coaching and developing our Assistant Management Accountant. This role is about ownership, leadership, and shaping how finance adds value across the agency - from improving processes and automation, to providing actionable insight that influences commercial and operational decisions. You’ll partner with Client Services, Operations, and the Senior Management Team, providing clarity on performance, profitability, and efficiency. This is a role for someone who enjoys combining detail with commercial context, making an impact, and helping a finance function evolve in a fast-moving, collaborative environment.
Core Purpose
- Lead and own a robust, predictable month-end close
- Deliver budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow insight to support growth
- Oversee revenue recognition by aligning project delivery with contractual and accounting requirements
- Coach and mentor the Assistant Management Accountant, building skills, confidence, and accountability
- Improve financial processes, controls, and operational efficiency
- Act as a trusted finance partner to non-finance teams
- Support finance system rollouts, migrations, and automation
- Enable scalable, data-driven reporting across the business
Key Objectives
- Complete month-end close within 5 business days of month-end
- Ensure client revenue is accurately reported in line with contracts and UK GAAP/IFRS, safeguarding financial integrity and enabling informed commercial decisions
- Deliver quarterly budgets on time with commentary aligned to departmental plans
- Monitor client revenue concentrations, supporting FC to ensure no client >10% of total revenue
- Own cashflow forecasting and debtor management (≥3 months runway, ≤60 debtor days)
- Implement 1-2 targeted coaching or process improvements for the Assistant Management Accountant per quarter
- Lead rollout and adoption of expense management and automation systems (≥80% adoption within 6 months)
Responsibilities
- Financial Management & Month-End
- Lead the month-end close, reviewing management accounts, accruals, and reconciliations
- Produce clear variance analysis and performance commentary
- Ensure balance sheet integrity and high accounting standards
- Support the Finance Controller with inputs into Board-level reporting
- Budgeting, Forecasting & Commercial Insight
- Assist with setting budgeting and re-forecasting cycles across the agency
- Monitor profitability & revenue by client, team, and service line
- Translate financial data into actionable commercial insight for decision-makers
- Revenue Recognition & Project Accounting
- Manage revenue recognition, ensuring revenue is recognised in line with accounting standards
- Identify and escalate revenue risks or project delays to safeguard profitability
- Analyse project and retainer financial performance to support forecasting, margin optimisation, and decision-making
- Collaborate with Client Services and Operations to align project delivery, billing, and revenue recognition
- Team Leadership & Development
- Coach, mentor, and develop the Assistant Management Accountant
- Set clear expectations, standards, and priorities
- Delegate effectively, empowering autonomy while maintaining accountability
- Foster a culture of accuracy, collaboration, and continuous improvement
- Business Partnering
- Act as a finance partner to non-finance stakeholders
- Communicate financial concepts clearly to all levels
- Balance commercial ambition with financial discipline
- Continuous Improvement & Systems
- Support the rollout and optimisation of expense management platform Payhawk
- Play a key role in system migrations and payment automations
- Help embed and optimise systems including Xero, Mavenlink, Payhawk, BrightHR
- Identify inefficiencies and design scalable, future-proof finance processes
- Governance, Controls & Compliance
- Maintain strong financial controls aligned to UK GAAP / IFRS
- Ensure compliance with internal policies and external requirements
- Support audits and statutory processes as required
- A smooth, predictable, and trusted month‑end process
- Revenue is accurately recognised, monitored, and reported, with risks identified and mitigated.
- Improved visibility of client and delivery profitability
- Well‑embedded finance systems with reduced manual work and full adoption across Rise
- A confident, supported Assistant Management Accountant thriving under your guidance
- Have at least 3 years’ experience in a similar Finance Manager or senior finance role, desirable if you come from Paid Agency background
- Hold AAT (essential); CIMA part‑qualified or newly qualified desirable
- Have experience leading or supporting process improvement, automation, or system migrations
- Are confident using Xero and advanced Excel / Google Sheets
- Have strong knowledge of UK GAAP / IFRS and accounting best practice
- Bring a positive, proactive mindset and a desire to improve how things work
- Have excellent attention to detail and time management skills
- Are analytical, curious, and solution‑focused - comfortable solving complex problems
- Are a confident communicator with finance and non‑finance stakeholders
- Can work independently while thriving in a fast‑paced, high‑accountability environment
- Can bridge creative and commercial worlds, understanding both delivery detail and business strategy
- Have experience (or interest) in improving processes for agile, retainer‑based teams
- A salary of up to £45k depending on experience
- 30 days holiday + Bank Holidays, loyalty days accrued annually (capped at +5 days)
- Christmas and New Year shut down
- Access to Private Medical Insurance
- Health cash back plan
- Group life assurance scheme
- Company pension scheme
- Regular socials
- Enhanced maternity and paternity leave schemes
- Flexible and hybrid working
- Bucket list scheme - an opportunity to experience a life dream!
What Success Looks Like in Your First 6‑12 Months
You’ll Excel Here If You…
Why join us
You’ll be joining a scaling SME marketing agency where finance is seen as a strategic partner, not a back‑office function. You’ll have real ownership, exposure to senior leadership, and the chance to grow with the business, supported by an experienced Finance Controller and a collaborative leadership team. If you’re looking for a role where you can lead, influence, and build, rather than just maintain, we’d love to hear from you.
What we can offer you
Equal Opportunities
At Rise At Seven we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of their race, religious beliefs, age, sex, sexual orientation or disability.
Director of Programme Delivery in Manchester employer: Rise at Seven Ltd
At Rise At Seven, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values finance as a strategic partner within our dynamic marketing agency. Located in a vibrant environment, we offer a collaborative work culture, ample opportunities for professional growth, and a comprehensive benefits package including flexible working arrangements, generous holiday allowances, and unique initiatives like our bucket list scheme. Join us to make a meaningful impact while developing your career in a supportive and innovative setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director of Programme Delivery in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections on LinkedIn or even in person. Let them know you're on the hunt for a Finance Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their financial processes and think about how you can add value. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or family. Focus on articulating your achievements and how you've improved financial processes in past roles. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team. Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of something great!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Programme Delivery in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Finance Manager. Highlight your experience in budgeting, forecasting, and month-end processes, as well as any leadership roles you've had. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've improved financial processes or led teams in the past. Let us know what excites you about joining our agency!
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t forget to highlight your technical skills, especially with tools like Xero and Excel. If you’ve been involved in system migrations or process improvements, make sure to mention those experiences. We love candidates who are proactive and solution-focused!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply 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. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Rise at Seven Ltd
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of financial metrics. Brush up on key financial concepts like budgeting, forecasting, and revenue recognition. Be ready to discuss how you've used these in past roles to drive operational excellence.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role involves coaching and mentoring the Assistant Management Accountant. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or improved processes in previous positions. Highlight your ability to empower others while maintaining accountability.
✨Understand the Business Context
Finance isn't just about numbers; it's about making an impact. Familiarise yourself with the agency's business model and how finance can add value. Be prepared to discuss how you've translated financial data into actionable insights for non-finance stakeholders.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills, especially in high-pressure situations. Think of specific scenarios where you've identified inefficiencies or implemented process improvements. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
