At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and oversee operations for UK and US studios.
- Company: Visualhouse, a creative agency crafting compelling brand stories globally.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, wellness budget, and ongoing training.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with international exposure and career progression opportunities.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and shape financial processes in a creative environment.
- Qualifications: Proven senior finance experience, analytical skills, and knowledge of Xero.
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
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 leadership
- 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
- 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 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
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the finance and creative industries, especially those connected to Visualhouse. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself – you never know who might have a lead on your dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Visualhouse’s projects and values. Show us that you understand their mission and how your financial expertise can contribute to their creative vision. Tailor your responses to highlight your experience in cash flow management and strategic planning.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your background in finance aligns with the unique challenges of the architecture and design sectors. We want to hear how you can bring value to the team, so make it clear and compelling.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining the Visualhouse family.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Lead / Senior Finance Controller (Operations) - London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Finance Lead role. Highlight your experience in financial strategy, cash flow management, and any relevant work in creative environments. We want to see how your skills align with what we do at Visualhouse!
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 sure to mention specific experiences that relate to the job description.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills: Since this role requires strong analytical abilities, don’t shy away from showcasing your problem-solving skills. Include examples of how you've used data to drive financial decisions or improve processes in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
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 strategies can support their artistic vision while ensuring profitability.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific financial challenges, such as managing cash flow during a project delay or optimising billing cycles. Think through these scenarios in advance and have clear, structured responses ready to showcase your problem-solving skills.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
As a senior finance controller, you'll need to demonstrate your leadership capabilities. Prepare to discuss how you've successfully led teams in the past, particularly in implementing financial controls and processes. Highlight your ability to partner with other departments to drive strategic decision-making.