Finance Director

Location: UK-based, with oversight of US operations

Part-Time Hours: 2.5 days per week (Approx. 18.75 hours per week)

Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer

Salary: c.£60,000 per annum (Pro-rated based on PT hours - c.£120,000 FTE)

The Finance Director will have full responsibility for the finance function of The Drum, providing senior financial leadership, strong governance, and high-quality commercial insight to support decision-making across the business. This is a hands-on, part-time role suited to an experienced finance leader who can balance operational rigor with strategic influence, including oversight of US operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Overall leadership and accountability for the finance function, including management, development, and performance review of finance staff.
• Responsibility for management reporting for all stakeholders, including the Board, Senior Leadership Team (SLT), and other stakeholders as appropriate.
• Overall responsibility for cash management, cashflow forecasting, working capital, and liquidity planning.
• Ownership of banking relationships, including all reporting to the bank and oversight of debt arrangements, covenants, and financing structures.
• Responsibility for statutory, legal, and regulatory compliance across the Group.
• Oversight of company secretarial matters, corporate governance, legal structure, and statutory filings, including Companies House.
• Primary relationship management with external accountants, auditors, legal advisers, and other professional advisers.
• Financial oversight of property matters and related contractual or financial obligations.
• Design, production, and ongoing maintenance of performance dashboards in a standard, consistent format agreed across the business.
• Ownership of finance systems, data integrity, and reporting architecture, ensuring consistent definitions and reliable data across the organisation.
• Act as a strategic and commercial partner to the CEO and SLT, providing insight, challenge, and support on key decisions.
• Lead and influence productivity and performance initiatives, including pricing, resource utilisation, and allocation of people to projects.
• Responsibility for US governance and compliance, ensuring appropriate controls, reporting, and oversight are in place.
• Monitoring and supporting investment decisions related to new products and initiatives in the US, particularly events.
• Oversight of financial controls, risk management, and internal control frameworks.
• Support strategic initiatives including partnerships, acquisitions, disposals, or capital structuring as required.

Outcomes & Measures of Success (12–24 Months)

• A single, trusted management reporting and dashboard suite used consistently by the Board and SLT.
• Improved visibility and control over profitability by product, client, and geography.
• Clear pricing, utilisation, and productivity metrics embedded into commercial decision-making.
• Strong cash discipline with accurate forecasting and no unexpected funding or covenant issues.
• Robust and proportionate governance framework in place for US operations.
• High-quality, timely statutory and management reporting with strong relationships across banking and advisory partners.

The successful candidate will be a qualified finance professional (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with significant experience operating at Finance Director or equivalent level. Experience in media, events, content, or professional services businesses is advantageous, as is experience working with international operations, particularly the US.

The role would suit an individual comfortable operating in a hands-on, pragmatic, part-time or portfolio capacity, with the credibility and communication skills to operate effectively at Board and SLT level. This is a part-time role of approximately two and a half days per week. The role is expected to operate flexibly, with increased time commitment around board cycles, budgeting, audits, or major strategic initiatives.

Benefits

• 28 days holiday (pro-rated for PT hours)
• Pension
• Company-wide discretionary bonus scheme based on business performance
• Enhanced above industry standard family leave package
• x2 paid volunteering days a year
• Company-wide mentoring programme
• Employee referral bonus
• Company social events
• Hybrid working
• Early finish on Fridays
• Dog friendly offices
• Eye care vouchers and contribution towards glasses
• Learning & Development fund/opportunities