At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial planning and performance management for a dynamic entertainment group.
- Company: Join a growing leisure and entertainment platform with a focus on creativity and audience experience.
- Benefits: Gain meaningful responsibility, work closely with leadership, and enjoy career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Exciting chance to shape financial capabilities in a rapidly expanding organisation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while supporting entrepreneurial management teams.
- Qualifications: Professional accounting qualification and experience in commercial finance required.
The predicted salary is between 75600 - 92400 £ per year.
The business brings together leading operators in immersive entertainment, live events, hospitality and experiential tourism, with a clear ambition to build a leading international platform in a sector where audience experience, creativity and commercial performance go hand in hand. Backed by an experienced investor group, it is embarking on an exciting phase of acquisitive growth along with operational investment, while ensuring that each business in the portfolio retains its own distinct character.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a commercially minded finance professional to join the group at this early and formative stage. Reporting to the CEO, you will play a central role in building the financial planning, performance-management and finance business partnering capabilities required to support a rapidly expanding multi-site group.
This is a genuinely commercial role, combining group-level financial planning with hands-on support to individual operating businesses. You will work closely with entrepreneurial management teams, helping them drive commercial performance through meaningful analysis, while also consolidating performance into a clear and insightful group view for the CEO, Board and investors.
The successful candidate for this FP&A and Commercial Finance Lead role will be comfortable operating in an environment where systems and processes are still maturing. You will need the judgement to work through imperfect information, the credibility to challenge constructively, and the drive and interpersonal skills to implement improvements that make a visible difference to decision-making and business performance.
Key Responsibilities
- Coordinate budgets, business plans, rolling forecasts and reforecasts across operating businesses, ensuring timely delivery, clear assumptions and appropriate challenge.
- Consolidate financial plans, cash-flow forecasts and KPIs into a clear, reliable group-level view.
- Analyse and explain performance against plan, identifying the underlying drivers, risks, opportunities and actions required.
- Prepare high-quality analysis and presentations for management, the Board and investors.
- Partner directly with local management teams to improve budgets, forecasts, financial models and commercial analysis.
- Assess gaps in systems, data and reporting, then design and implement practical improvements alongside operating teams and external providers.
- Develop and roll out dashboards, defining KPIs and reporting routines that give leadership reliable visibility of performance.
- Support the evaluation of pricing, capital expenditure and other commercial initiatives through financial modelling and scenario analysis.
- Help onboard acquisitions into group planning, establishing finance processes that can scale with the organisation.
Candidate Profile
Candidates for this FP&A and Commercial Finance Lead role need to hold a professional accounting qualification, with proven experience in commercial finance. Experience could include a combination of Big Four transaction services experience along with time spent in an in-house FP&A or commercial finance, in a fast-moving environment. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in one of either a multi-site, consumer facing or private equity-backed environment.
You will have had direct experience of owning budgets, forecasts and cash-flow models, with a strong understanding of the commercial drivers behind revenue, margin and cash. Practical experience improving commercial finance reports, dashboards, systems or planning processes will be highly valued, as will a track record of building trusted relationships with operational colleagues.
Advanced Excel and financial modelling skills are essential, alongside strong PowerPoint and familiarity with Power BI or a comparable business-intelligence tool. Experience with cloud accounting software and FP&A platforms would be advantageous. You should be methodical and detail-driven, but also resourceful, pragmatic and able to make progress where local resources and systems are still developing.
Candidates should have a genuine interest in leisure, hospitality, live events, entertainment and experiential businesses, although direct sector experience is not essential. European language skills would also be considered a plus.
This is a rare opportunity to join a growing leisure and entertainment platform at an early stage, working directly with experienced leadership and entrepreneurial operators. The role offers exceptional breadth, meaningful responsibility and the chance to build capabilities whose impact will be visible in the performance of the businesses they support. As the group expands, there will be significant scope to broaden your remit and progress within the organisation.
To apply for this FP&A and Commercial Finance Lead role, please use the apply button.
Please note that, due to the expected volume of applications, we will only be able to respond to candidates whose experience matches our client’s requirements. If you have not heard from us within the next ten days, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Walker Hamill has been a specialist finance and strategy recruiter for approaching 40 years. We have an extensive client group, including major multinational listed organisations, private equity backed businesses and privately owned companies. We recruit across all sectors and have particularly strong client relationships in private equity, media, retail, pharma/biotech, technology, property/real estate, leisure and business services. Headquartered in London, we have additional offices in continental Europe.
FP&A and Commercial Finance Lead employer: Walker Hamill
As a leading technology platform based in London, our client offers an exceptional work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration. Employees benefit from a dynamic culture that encourages professional growth through hands-on experience and the opportunity to implement transformative finance processes. With a focus on leveraging AI and automation, this role not only promises competitive remuneration but also the chance to make a significant impact within a forward-thinking organisation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land FP&A and Commercial Finance Lead
✨Tip Number 1: Tap Into Professional Networks
The finance world loves a good connection, so jump into industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can find discussions on financial controlling. Engaging in these communities can expose you to hidden job leads that aren't openly advertised!
✨Tip Number 2: Attend Finance Events and Conferences
Make it a mission to attend finance-related events and conferences, even virtual ones! This is a golden opportunity to network face-to-face with people from companies like Walker Hamill. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!
✨Tip Number 3: Showcase Your Expertise
Consider writing articles or sharing insights related to financial controlling or industry trends. Publish these on platforms like LinkedIn to establish yourself as a knowledgeable player in the field. This not only increases your visibility but also catches the attention of recruiters from Walker Hamill.
✨Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites
Since you're going for a full-time gig, don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page of companies you're interested in, like Walker Hamill. Many companies prefer candidates who apply through their website as it shows genuine interest and makes your application stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace FP&A and Commercial Finance Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers Game:In financial controlling, detail is everything! Make sure your CV showcases your proficiency with numbers—highlight any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, or working with financial software. Quantifying your past achievements will make you stand out, so don’t be shy about flaunting those impressive percentages or cost savings you've implemented.
Tailored Cover Letter is Key:Your cover letter is a chance to shine, especially for a full-time role. Use it to express your genuine interest in Walker Hamill and the specific impact you hope to make in financial controlling. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that align with the company’s goals, and don’t forget to show that you're ready for a long-term commitment!
Certifications Matter:List relevant certifications such as ACCA or CIMA on your CV. These qualifications not only showcase your dedication to the field but also your technical competence in financial principles. If you have any ongoing training or courses, make sure to mention those as well to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning in financial controlling.
Don’t Overlook Soft Skills:While numbers are crucial, so are those soft skills! Financial controllers need strong communication and analytical reasoning abilities. We recommend embedding examples of these skills in your CV and cover letter, like how you’ve successfully delivered financial reports to stakeholders or collaborated with teams to improve processes. Let’s show Walker Hamill how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at Walker Hamill
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
If you've had experience with specific financial software like SAP or Oracle, make it known! Be ready to discuss how you used these tools to improve processes or reporting, as this hands-on knowledge can really set you apart in a full-time role with Walker Hamill.
✨Know Your Numbers
In full-time interviews, especially in financial controlling, be prepared for numerical reasoning tests or questions. Brush up on your mental maths and understand how to interpret and analyse financial statements on the spot, as this may come up during the assessment.
✨Connect with Company Goals
Familiarise yourself with Walker Hamill's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!
