Finance Director (fixed term)

About us

The Whisky Exchange is a world-leading specialist online retailer for whisky and fine and rare spirits. We have three shops in central London, a range of flagship shows and events, and an award-winning curated selection of Old & Rare, own-label and exclusive whiskies and spirits. We have an on-trade team supplying the best bars, restaurants, hotels and luxury retailers in the UK (The Whisky Exchange Trade), and a specialist auction platform (Whisky.Auction). Together as One Team we serve a global community of whisky drinkers, fuelled by an enthusiasm for discovering and collecting.

Being part of the Speciality Drinks Group, and the wider Pernod Ricard family, means you’ll be working with some of the very best people in the drinks industry and part of a fantastic team that is passionate about everything they do.

The opportunity

The Finance Director is a strategic partner to the Managing Director and Leadership Team, accountable for the financial stewardship, performance insight and long-term resilience of The Whisky Exchange. The role leads the Finance function, strengthens commercial decision-making and ensures robust governance, control, planning, reporting and cash management across the business.

The successful candidate will balance strategic leadership with hands-on delivery, translating complex financial information into clear choices and ensuring Finance enables profitable, sustainable growth across all channels and functions.

The Finance Director has two direct reports, with around 14 indirect reports in the wider Finance team. The role is hybrid, and is fixed term for six months.

Your unique contribution

Your day to day responsibilities will include:

• Partnering with the Managing Director and Leadership Team to shape and deliver business strategy, financial plans and long-term growth objectives
• Leading the Finance function, setting clear priorities and ensuring an effective, customer-focused service across the business
• Owning the budgeting, forecasting and long-range planning process, delivering robust insight on performance, risks and opportunities
• Providing accurate and meaningful financial reporting across P&L, balance sheet, cash flow and working capital, enabling informed decision-making
• Acting as a trusted commercial partner to teams across Buying, Trade, B2C, Marketing, Operations, Technology and People, helping drive profitable growth
• Leading investment appraisal and business case development, ensuring capital is allocated effectively and opportunities are evaluated rigorously
• Developing clear financial and operational KPIs, strengthening reporting and creating a consistent, data-driven view of performance
• Maintaining a strong control environment and ensuring compliance with statutory, regulatory, Group and IFRS reporting requirements
• Managing relationships with auditors, tax advisers, banking partners and Group Finance stakeholders
• Taking ownership of cash flow, liquidity, inventory and working capital performance, safeguarding the financial health of the business
• Driving ongoing improvements in finance systems, processes, reporting and automation to increase efficiency, control and insight
• Building and developing a high-performing Finance team, while promoting financial capability, accountability and collaboration across the wider organisation

If you would like to view the full job description, please contact us via careers@thewhiskyexchange.com.

Your blend of talent

Our ideal candidate is someone who is/has:

• A qualified accountant with substantial post-qualification experience in senior financial leadership roles
• Broad expertise across commercial finance, FP&A, financial control, reporting, cash management, governance and business partnering
• Experience operating in a complex, multi-channel or consumer-led organisation; retail, e-commerce, wholesale, FMCG or premium/luxury experience is advantageous
• Proven ability to turn data into concise insight, influence senior stakeholders and support high-quality commercial decisions
• Strong understanding of finance systems, data governance, reporting automation and process transformation
• Demonstrable experience of building capable teams, setting high standards and leading through change
• Excellent judgement, communication and stakeholder management, with the confidence to challenge constructively

Personal attributes:

• Strategic and commercial: Connects financial insight to customer, operational and growth priorities
• Clear and influential: Makes complex issues understandable and builds alignment around decisions
• Curious and analytical: Looks beyond the numbers to understand drivers, risks and opportunities
• Pragmatic and delivery-focused: Balances pace, control and continuous improvement
• Collaborative and inclusive: Builds trust, develops others and works across organisational boundaries
• High integrity: Acts independently, protects the business and sets a strong ethical standard

Applications are to be received by Monday 2 November 2026, however we reserve the right to close the advertisement sooner.

Benefits of joining The Whisky Exchange

Fun Stuff

Staff Discount at The Whisky Exchange | Tastings | Product Education | Access to Events | Cycle to Work Scheme | High Street Discounts

Serious Stuff

EAP | Great Parental Leave Policies | Life Cover | Private Medical Insurance | Enhanced Employer Pension Contribution

Feel Good Stuff

S&R Initiatives | Personal Day | Career Development | Employee Networks | Flexi Work | 25 Days Holiday (plus Bank Holidays)

We’re committed to diversity and inclusion.

We promote diversity and inclusion throughout our business. In our teams, we proactively foster a diverse work force and an inclusive culture – an environment where we can truly be ourselves.

We will assess your application for this role based on your skills, experiences and achievements, not your gender, age, ethnic or educational background or any other such factors. Please feel free to leave these off your CV and application form if you so wish.