At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the financial strategy and build finance processes from scratch for a growing events start-up.
- Company: Join a design-led start-up in the vibrant events space, ready to scale.
- Benefits: Shape the future of finance in a dynamic environment with growth potential.
- Other info: Work closely with founders and leadership, driving innovation and efficiency.
- Why this job: Be the first finance hire and make a real impact on the company's success.
- Qualifications: Senior finance experience, ideally in hospitality or events, with strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Zanda is an Executive search partner that works exclusively with high growth start-ups as they look to scale their business with senior talent. Zanda partners with VC’s, Founder’s, CEO’s and CFO’s when it comes to successfully delivering on key senior appointments.
We are supporting a design-led start-up in the events space who are growing with momentum and now want to put the right financial foundation in place to scale without losing what makes them distinctive. This is a first finance hire, sitting close to the founders, with real scope to shape how the business grows.
What you'll do:
- You will own the financial backbone of the business.
- As the first finance hire, you will build the function from the ground up, bring rigour and clarity to decision-making across the company, and operate equally comfortably in the detail and at board level.
- Lead financial controls, reporting and cash flow management.
- Build robust, scalable finance processes from scratch.
- Drive tech automation and finance operations efficiency.
- Support strategic planning, scenario modelling and KPI tracking.
- Act as a commercial partner to the leadership team, informing decisions across the business.
- Oversee budgeting, forecasting and management reporting.
- Manage relationships with auditors, banking partners and external advisors.
- Develop the financial infrastructure that underpins the next phase of growth.
Experience required:
- Proven experience in a senior finance role, ideally with exposure to hospitality, events within growth-stage businesses.
- Comfortable with ambiguity and energised by building from the ground up.
- Equally confident in the detail and at board level.
- Strong understanding of operational hospitality and what drives performance in the sector.
- Commercially astute, with sharp judgement on cost, cash and margin.
- A clear communicator who builds trust with founders, teams and external partners.
Head of Finance | Events | Series A in London employer: Zanda
Zanda is an exceptional employer for those looking to make a significant impact in the fast-paced events industry. As the Head of Finance, you will have the unique opportunity to shape the financial foundation of a design-led start-up, working closely with founders and leadership to drive growth and innovation. With a culture that values creativity and collaboration, Zanda offers a dynamic work environment where your contributions are recognised, and professional development is encouraged, making it an ideal place for ambitious finance professionals.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance | Events | Series A in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and events sectors. Attend industry meetups or webinars to meet potential employers and get your name out there. Remember, it’s all about who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your skills! Create a portfolio or a presentation that highlights your achievements in finance, especially in growth-stage businesses. This will help you stand out when you’re chatting with founders and CEOs.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings. Reach out directly to companies you admire, like the design-led start-up we’re supporting. Express your interest and how you can add value as their first finance hire.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of exciting opportunities, and applying directly can give you an edge. Plus, we’re here to support you every step of the way in landing that dream role.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance | Events | Series A in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Head of Finance. Highlight your experience in building finance functions from scratch and any relevant exposure to the events or hospitality sectors. We want to see how you can bring that unique flair to our design-led start-up!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've driven financial processes and decision-making in previous roles, especially in growth-stage businesses. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Strategic Thinking:In your application, don’t just list your skills; demonstrate how you've used them strategically. Talk about your experience with budgeting, forecasting, and scenario modelling. We’re looking for someone who can think ahead and help shape our financial future!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you get all the updates directly. Plus, it shows us you're keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zanda
✨Know Your Numbers
As the Head of Finance, you'll need to demonstrate a solid grasp of financial metrics. Brush up on key performance indicators relevant to the events industry and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in your previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset
This role involves shaping the financial future of a growing start-up. Prepare examples of how you've successfully built finance functions from scratch or improved existing processes. Highlight your experience in strategic planning and scenario modelling.
✨Communicate Clearly
You'll be working closely with founders and the leadership team, so it's crucial to convey complex financial concepts in an understandable way. Practice explaining your past experiences in a straightforward manner that builds trust and shows your commercial acumen.
✨Embrace Ambiguity
Start-ups often operate in uncertain environments. Be prepared to discuss how you've thrived in ambiguous situations and your approach to building robust financial frameworks that can adapt as the business scales.
