Finance Director (Operational) in London

London | Hybrid Working
Circa 150,000 + Benefits

Stanton House is partnering with a dynamic international creative services business to appoint a hands-on Finance Director during a pivotal period of transformation and growth. This is a unique opportunity for an experienced finance leader who enjoys operating close to the business, improving processes, building structure and driving operational excellence. The role sits at the heart of a fast-moving, project-based environment and will suit someone who is equally comfortable partnering with senior stakeholders and rolling up their sleeves to solve day-to-day challenges.

The Opportunity

Our client is an established international business operating within the creative, production and professional services space. Following a period of significant growth and organisational change, they are investing in strengthening their finance capability and are seeking a commercially minded Finance Director to lead this effort. The successful candidate will take ownership of a broad finance remit, combining financial control, commercial finance, process improvement and business partnering responsibilities. This is not a traditional corporate Finance Director position. The business is looking for someone who thrives in operational environments and is willing to get into the detail to drive improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day finance function across a multi-entity international business.
• Oversee monthly management reporting, budgeting and forecasting processes.
• Drive improvements in financial controls, governance and reporting accuracy.
• Partner closely with operational and commercial teams to support business performance.
• Monitor project profitability, resource utilisation and cost management.
• Support ongoing finance transformation initiatives, including systems and process improvements.
• Improve the quality of management information available to senior leadership.
• Oversee cash flow management and working capital performance.
• Build scalable finance processes capable of supporting future growth.
• Act as a trusted adviser to senior stakeholders across the organisation.

Candidate Profile

We are keen to speak with finance leaders who have experience in fast-paced, project-driven environments and understand how operational businesses really function. You may currently be:

• A Finance Director seeking a more hands-on role.
• A Financial Controller or Head of Finance ready to step into a broader leadership position.
• An operationally focused finance professional looking for the opportunity to shape and improve a finance function.

Successful candidates are likely to demonstrate:

• Experience within creative, production, agency, consulting, professional services or other project-based businesses.
• Strong financial control and reporting expertise.
• A practical, delivery-focused approach.
• The ability to balance commercial insight with operational execution.
• Experience managing complex stakeholder groups.
• Strong systems and process improvement capabilities.
• Professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) preferred but not essential.

What's on Offer

• A highly visible finance leadership role with significant scope for impact.
• The opportunity to join a business undergoing meaningful transformation.
• Broad exposure across operational, commercial and strategic finance activities.
• A collaborative leadership team committed to driving improvement.
• Long-term career development opportunities within a growing international organisation.

For a confidential discussion regarding this opportunity, please contact Tasmin Mason at Stanton House. All enquiries will be handled with the strictest confidence.