At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and oversee operations for UK and US studios.
- Company: Visualhouse, a creative agency crafting brand stories in architecture and design.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, wellness budget, and ongoing training.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with international exposure and growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and shape financial processes in a creative environment.
- Qualifications: Senior finance experience, analytical skills, and familiarity with Xero preferred.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Visualhouse is an international creative agency crafting compelling brand stories for architecture, design, and the built environment. We partner with leading architects, developers, and designers globally on landmark projects. Our multidisciplinary teams span 3D visualization, still imagery, film, and animation, as well as branding and interactive.
Your Role at Visualhouse
Reporting to the CEO, you will act as an influential leader in implementing efficient financial processes and procedures. This is a multifaceted senior leadership role which encompasses all areas of financial processing from administration through to strategy. You will play a key role in leading strategic planning across the London and New York studios; finance, cash flow and billing management, development of financial control and procedures; budget management; reporting and supporting strategic decision-making as the business continues to grow internationally.
What You’ll Own
- Strategic & Leadership
- Lead the financial strategy across UK and US entities, partnering closely with the CEO and senior leaderships
- Own budgeting, forecasting, and long-term financial planning
- Provide clear financial insight to support commercial decision-making, pricing, and project viability
- Oversee cash flow management and optimise billing cycles to support sustainable growth
- Identify financial risks and implement robust governance, controls, and mitigation strategies
- Financial Operations & Control
- Oversee management accounts, reporting, and month-end close for UK and US entities
- Develop, maintain, and improve financial policies, processes, and internal controls
- Manage accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, expenses, and statutory reporting
- Oversee tax compliance, audit preparation, and transfer pricing considerations
- Own and optimise finance systems and workflows (Xero)
- Commercial & Project Finance
- Review client contracts from a financial and commercial risk perspective
- Partner with project and studio teams to monitor project profitability
- Analyse financial performance across studios, disciplines, and geographies
- Produce regular reporting on costs, margins, and overall business performance
- Liaise with external lawyers, accountants and contracted legal services related to client contracts, etc
- Operational Oversight
- Oversee bookkeeping and day-to-day transactional finance activities
- Manage supplier relationships and finance-related procurement
- Maintain accurate and compliant financial records and documentation
What You’ll Bring
- Proven senior finance experience within UK entities; US entity exposure is highly desirable
- Strong background in cash flow management and commercial finance
- Experience within architecture, design, creative, marketing, or media environments preferred
- Highly analytical, detail-oriented, and commercially minded
- Able to anticipate financial risks and confidently manage complexity across jurisdictions
- Comfortable operating in a hands-on, entrepreneurial, creative environment
- Strong working knowledge of Xero or similar accounting platforms
- Advanced financial reporting and analysis capability
- Proficient with Google Workspace
What We Offer
- Competitive salary
- Generous holiday allowance
- Regular team outings and studio socials
- Monthly wellness budget to support physical and mental wellbeing
- Ongoing training, development, and progression opportunities
- A collaborative, creative studio environment with international exposure
Finance Lead / Senior Finance Controller (Operations) - London in City of Westminster employer: Visualhouse
Contact Detail:
Visualhouse Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Lead / Senior Finance Controller (Operations) - London in City of Westminster
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and creative industries. Attend events, webinars, or even casual meet-ups. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Visualhouse and its projects. Understand their financial processes and how you can contribute to their growth. Tailor your answers to show how your experience aligns with their needs, especially in cash flow management and strategic planning.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your analytical skills! Bring examples of how you've improved financial processes or managed risks in previous roles. Use data to back up your claims and demonstrate your ability to provide clear financial insights that support commercial decision-making.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Let’s make it happen!
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Lead / Senior Finance Controller (Operations) - London in City of Westminster
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Finance Lead. Highlight your experience in financial strategy, cash flow management, and any relevant work in creative environments. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about finance in the creative sector and how you can contribute to our team. Be genuine and let your personality come through.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role requires strong analytical capabilities, make sure to include examples of how you've used data to drive financial decisions. We love seeing how you’ve tackled complex financial challenges in the past!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step!
How to prepare for a job interview at Visualhouse
✨Know Your Numbers
Before the interview, brush up on your financial knowledge, especially around cash flow management and budgeting. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your ability to lead financial strategy and manage complex financial processes.
✨Understand the Company Culture
Visualhouse thrives in a creative environment, so it’s crucial to show that you can blend finance with creativity. Research their projects and be prepared to discuss how your financial insights can support their artistic vision and commercial goals.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask you to solve hypothetical financial challenges or assess risks. Practise articulating your thought process clearly and confidently, showcasing your analytical skills and ability to make strategic decisions under pressure.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a senior finance leader, you’ll need to demonstrate your leadership capabilities. Prepare to share examples of how you’ve successfully led teams, influenced decision-making, and implemented financial controls in previous roles, particularly in dynamic environments like architecture or design.