Artist Services Finance Director (10 Month Contract) in London

Artist Services Finance Director (10 Month Contract) in London

London Temporary 63000 - 77000 £ / year (est.) On-site
W

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a finance team and manage financial reporting for top artists.
  • Company: Join Warner Music Group, a global leader in the music industry.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, creative environment, and opportunities for growth.
  • Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
  • Why this job: Be a key player in shaping the financial future of world-class talent.
  • Qualifications: 10+ years in finance, ACA/ACCA/CIMA certified, strong leadership skills.

The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.

WMX Finance sits right at the commercial heartbeat of Europe's Artist Services, powering the financial engine behind world-class talent.

We manage the end-to-end data, financial reporting, and operational insights across high-energy, multi-channel pillars - spanning global Tour, cutting-edge e Commerce, Retail, Licensing, and exclusive VIP fan experiences.

Your role: Reporting directly to the WMX Senior Director, Global Merch Finance, you won't just be keeping the seat warm; you will step in as a critical strategic co-pilot and leadership pillar for the business leads driving our diverse artist services portfolio.

In this pivotal 10-month chapter, you will take full ownership of our financial rhythm, guide a focused team, and deliver high-impact commercial clarity during a fast-paced, transformative phase for the business.

Here you'll get to

  • Lead & Inspire: Directly lead, mentor, and empower a high-performing finance team of two.
  • Command Month-End: Own and orchestrate the full monthly close process across our dynamic ecosystem of WMX entities.
  • Shape Financial Trajectories: Steer robust P&L forecasts, cash flow models, and annual budgets across all operational arms.
  • Deliver Strategic Commentary: Appraise budgets, forecasts, and actuals, cutting through variances to present incisive commercial commentary to leadership.
  • Drive Merchandise Accounting Integrity: Interrogate the extension ledger to guarantee all artist merchandise entries clear precisely to their respective label profit centers.
  • Champion Executive Insights: Deliver sharp, analytical reviews of operational and financial performance directly to senior management.
  • Uphold Accounting Rigor: Lead the rollout and practical implementation of technical accounting policies across our operations.
  • Navigate Complex Tax Environments: Steer VAT submissions across all business verticals, serving as the authority on cross-border tax compliance and structuring.
  • Meet with commercial and label leads regarding commercial strategy, providing financial modeling for new ventures, and advise on VAT handling for live events and popup stores in the UK/EU, depending on the model used (undisclosed vs. disclosed).
  • Reviewing and approving artist statements while ensuring all recoupable costs are accounted for correctly.
  • Accelerate
  • System

Transformation: Play a front-line role in our ongoing Finance Transformation - untangling implementation hurdles, testing critical inputs/outputs, and optimising systems for scale.

  • Partner with Commercial Leaders: Embed alongside WMX business heads to remove friction, smash deadlines, and deliver on core milestones.
  • Fuel Deal-Making & Commercial Strategy: Build granular financial analyses and evaluate high-stakes artist deals to steer executive decision-making.
  • Own Continuous Improvement: Spearhead process optimisation initiatives that make workflows faster, cleaner, and more scalable.
  • Fortify Internal Controls: Champion governance by maintaining and enforcing watertight SOX compliance frameworks.
  • Protect Artist Trust: Oversee the integrity of artist statement data to uphold reporting accuracy for our roster.
  • Master
  • Complex

Data: Tackle large-scale data reconciliations, financial modeling, and bespoke ad-hoc investigations to answer urgent business questions.

Fully

Qualified: ACA, ACCA, or CIMA certified with a stellar track record spanning 10+ years in progressive finance roles.

  • Proven People Leader: Experienced in steering, coaching, and getting the best out of finance talent.
  • Technically Grounded: Deep technical accounting pedigree paired with hands‑on audit pedigree (internal or external).
  • Planning Pro: Extensive experience architecting sophisticated budgets, forecasts, and cash-flow roadmaps.
  • Sharp Problem Solver: Highly analytical thinker who instinctively dissects complex commercial problems with logic, precision, and speed.
  • Fast-Paced Operator: Proven ability to thrive and pivot gracefully under tight turnaround times in dynamic, creative industries.
  • Excel Power User: Exceptional advanced modeling and spreadsheet capabilities with zero compromise on data accuracy.
  • Collaborative & Agile: A driven, proactive team player who brings high energy, flexibility, and decisive ownership to every project.

We’d love it if you also had

  • Hands‑on experience navigating SAP (such as SAP S/4HANA)
  • A strong track record managing external audit engagements from inception to sign-off.
  • Direct exposure to large-scale finance transformations, system rollouts, or operational process re‑engineering.

At Warner Music Group, we're a global collective of music makers and music lovers, tech innovators and inspired entrepreneurs, game‑changing creatives and passionate team members.

Here, we turn dreams into stardom and audiences into fans.

We are guided by three core values that underpin everything we do across all our diverse businesses:

  • Curiosity: We do our best work when we're immersing ourselves in culture and breaking through barriers.

Curiosity is the driving force behind creativity and ingenuity.

It fuels innovation, and innovation is the key to our future.

  • Collaboration: Making music and bringing it to the world is all about the power of originality amplified by teamwork.

A great idea, like a great song, travels globally.

We ignite passions and build connections across our diverse community of artists, songwriters, partners, and fans.

  • Commitment: We pursue excellence for our team and our talent.

Everything in music starts with a leap into the unknown, and we're committed to keeping the faith, acting with integrity, and delivering on our promises.

WMG is home to a wide range of artists, musicians, and songwriters that fuel our success.

That is why we are committed to creating a work environment that actively values, appreciates, and respects everyone.

We encourage applications from people with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences.

Consider a career at WMG and get the best of both worlds - an innovative global music company that retains the creative spirit of a nimble independent., As the home to 10K Projects, Asylum, Atlantic Music Group, East West, FFRR, Fueled by Ramen, Nonesuch, Parlophone, Rhino, Roadrunner, Sire, Warner Records, Warner Classics, and several other of the world's premier recording labels, Warner Music Group champions emerging artists and global superstars alike.

And our renowned publishing company, Warner Chappell Music, represents genre‑spanning songwriters and producers through a catalog of more than one million copyrights worldwide.

Warner Music Group is also home to ADA, which supports the independent community, as well as artist services division WMX.

In addition, WMG counts film and television storytelling powerhouse Warner Music Entertainment among its many brands.

  • Together, we are
  • Warner
  • Music

Group: Independent Minds.

Major Sound.

Artist Services Finance Director (10 Month Contract) in London employer: Warner Music INC

At Warner Music Group, we pride ourselves on fostering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that champions creativity and innovation. As a Senior Viral Marketing Lead, you'll have the opportunity to collaborate with top artists and industry leaders in a dynamic environment that prioritises personal growth and professional development. Our commitment to a culture-first approach ensures that your contributions will not only be valued but will also play a pivotal role in shaping the future of music marketing.

W

Contact Details:

Warner Music INC Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Artist Services Finance Director (10 Month Contract) in London

✨Get Involved in Financial Networks

Join local financial associations or forums where you can connect with professionals in financial-controlling. Networking events often lead to temporary positions, as companies look for quick hires when they need extra hands.

✨Showcase Your Skills on Temporary Job Boards

Focus on platforms that specifically cater to temporary roles in finance. Sites like Reed or Totaljobs often list short-term gigs that are perfect for getting your foot in the door, and you can apply directly through our website for roles at Warner Music INC.

✨Leverage Your Uni's Career Services

If you're still in university, tap into your career services for internship or temporary job placements. They often have insider info on companies like Warner Music INC looking for temporary financial support, and they might help you polish your pitch.

✨Flexible Availability is Key

For temporary positions in financial-controlling, your availability can make a huge difference. Highlight your willingness to start immediately or work irregular hours when speaking to employers. This flexibility can land you that sought-after role!

We think you need these skills to ace Artist Services Finance Director (10 Month Contract) in London

Financial Reporting
P&L Forecasting
Cash Flow Modelling
Budget Management
Analytical Reviews
Technical Accounting
VAT Compliance

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Academic Aces:In the financial controlling game, grades and relevant certifications can make a significant difference. Be sure to highlight your academic achievements, like finance-related coursework and any professional certifications you’ve got on your CV that show you’re clued up in this area. It’s all about demonstrating that you’re not just good at numbers but also know your stuff!

Quantify Your Achievements:When applying for a temporary role in financial controlling, make sure your CV reflects any previous experience with real, measurable outcomes. Use numbers to showcase your past successes, like percentage improvements in budgeting or cost savings you’ve achieved in previous roles. This not only gives us insights into your capabilities but also tells us you're results-driven.

Personalise Your Application:We love seeing applicants who take the time to tailor their applications! In your cover letter, mention why you’re particularly interested in the temporary role with Warner Music INC and how your specific skills and experiences align with the job. Show us that you see this role as an opportunity to contribute, even if it's for a short stint!

Flexibility is Key:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to highlight your availability in your application. We’re interested in knowing how soon you can start and if you’re open to working flexible hours. This shows us your eagerness to jump right in and adapt to the dynamic needs of our team at Warner Music INC.

How to prepare for a job interview at Warner Music INC

✨Get Hands-On with Financial Tools

Being in financial controlling means you’ll likely be working with various software like Excel, Power BI, or even SAP. Make sure you brush up on these tools and prepare to discuss your experience using them. Being able to reference specific projects or analyses where you employed these programs will definitely give you an edge.

✨Prepare for Technical Financial Questions

Expect scenario-based questions where you might need to analyse financial statements or suggest budgetary strategies during the interview. Practising common financial concepts like variance analysis or cost control measures will not only boost your confidence but also prove your suitability for the role.

✨Show Your Flexibility and Adaptability

As this is a temporary position, the interviewers will want to see that you can hit the ground running. Be sure to highlight any previous short-term roles or projects where you successfully adapted to new environments quickly – this will showcase your readiness to tackle challenges head-on.

✨Highlight Your Commitment to Precision

In financial controlling, attention to detail is absolutely crucial. Be ready to provide examples from your past work that demonstrate your ability to spot discrepancies and ensure accuracy in financial reporting. Your precision could be the factor that sets you apart in a temporary role like this one!