Agency Finance Director - FTC 6 month in London

Department: Finance

Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract

Location: Together Group London

About the Role

We are seeking a commercially-minded, tech-savvy Finance Director to lead Purple's finance function and partner closely with the Together Group leadership. This is a strategic, high-impact role requiring someone who can drive change, implement robust processes, and deliver insightful financial reporting to support business growth. You will combine strong leadership gravitas with hands-on expertise, shaping a finance team that adds real value across the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the finance team, creating a value-add function that delivers accurate, consistent, insightful, and timely reporting to both internal leadership and Group stakeholders.
• Implement accurate and timely month-end processes including billing, accruals, deferrals, reconciliations, cash collection, intercompany and balance sheet reviews, with clear documentation of policies and procedures.
• Prepare monthly management accounts with clear commentary on drivers of variances and commercial insights for each department.
• Lead quarterly budgeting and forecasting, partnering with leadership to agree and embed measurable targets including controlling staffing ratio.
• Provide financial metrics to support cross-selling, collaboration, and pricing decisions across the wider group.
• Implement EBITDA measurement across projects and business lines, supporting decision-making at all levels.
• Manage and develop a team of up to 11, including management accountants and AP/AR controllers.
• Drive change management initiatives across the business, embedding commercial understanding beyond top-line revenue.
• Improve current process related to contracting, billing and collection and reduce credit risk.
• Manage working capital and cash, with the objective of reducing existing working capital in Purple.
• Operate effectively in a matrix organisation, demonstrating agility and speed in an international group context.
• Maximise the accounting functionality of Sage 50, and support TG in implementing Sage Intacct and Planful, ensuring smooth transition with minimal operational disruption.
• Take ownership of accounting policies, decisions, and embedding strong governance and controls across the business.
• Ensure tax compliance for VAT and corporation tax across relevant jurisdictions – UK, US, Hongkong, Singapore and UAE.
• Lead global audits of Purple entities, ensuring minimal management letter points and accounting adjustments.
• Manage workloads and priorities, use technology and process improvements to find efficiencies and support adhoc reporting requests from TG.
• Work closely with Purple Directors to run the business, support and challenge business proposals and resolve issues.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to translate numbers into actionable insights.
• Tech-savvy, able to implement new processes and systems to drive efficiency and accuracy.
• Proven leadership skills, able to inspire and manage a high-performing team.
• Gravitas to influence and engage with senior stakeholders across the business and Group.
• Experience in group reporting, consolidations, cashflow management, and working capital optimisation.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to balance big-picture vision and operational detail.
• Hands-on knowledge of Sage Intacct or similar ERP systems.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-moving, international environment with a matrix structure.
• Proven track record in a senior finance leadership role.
• Demonstrable experience in group reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and cashflow management.
• Experience leading finance transformation or process improvement initiatives.
• Strong understanding of tax compliance, audits, and accounting governance.