Finance and Operations Manager

Role: Finance & Operations Manager

Sector: Creative Agency

Permanent: Full Time (9am - 5pm)

Salary: £50,000 - £60,000 depending on experience & qualifications

VisionFR is looking for a Finance & Operations Manager to join a growing team within a creative agency - currently 27 people. You will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day financial aspects of the business and ensuring the financial health and stability of the organisation. You will report directly to the Managing Director and work closely with the founders and leadership team.

You will be able to spot areas for improvement in each of these areas. You will help plan and implement systems to boost the studio’s profitability and streamline the engine room of the business.

We’re looking for someone who has:

• Part Qualified Accountant or QBE
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in Financial and Operations within a creative business, ideally an agency.
• Good understanding of financial regulations, reporting, and compliance.
• Strong financial Forecasting / Budgeting, analysis and reporting skills.
• A detail driven approach but completely understands the creative or production agency world.
• Happy to roll up their sleeves to deliver hands on support across the business.
• Passion for implementing processes that support and allow creativity to flourish.
• Ability to juggle, manage and prioritise the various disciplines of Finance & Operations
• Advanced Excel or Google Sheets knowledge (creating spreadsheets and using financial functions).
• Good understanding and knowledge of using XERO software (and ideally WorkflowMax and expense software PLEO).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• A real desire to work within a creative environment

Responsibilities of the Finance & Operations Manager:

Financial Leadership

• Oversee all financial activities, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and strategic financial planning.
• Collaborate with the leadership team to develop and implement financial strategies that align with our business goals.

Budgetary Control

• Support the annual budgeting process, providing insightful analysis and recommendations to optimise resource allocation.
• Monitor and control expenses to ensure financial objectives are met without compromising creativity and innovation.

Cash Flow Forecasting and Financial Reporting

• Manage cash flow forecasting, ensuring liquidity for day-to-day operations as well as building and protecting cash reserves
• Prepare comprehensive monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports for the Board and Leadership team, offering analysis against target and valuable insights and recommendations.

Operations Oversight

• Take charge of our Operations functions, overseeing IT (including software and server management), to ensure smooth and efficient processes across the organisation.
• Identify opportunities for operational improvements to enhance overall productivity and employee satisfaction.
• Oversee and manage the systems that support the running of the studio, this currently includes, but is not limited to; Asana, WorkflowMax, XERO, Google Suite, Adobe Creative Suite, Maxon One

Resource Allocation and Freelance Network

• Support with resource allocation to ensure optimal utilisation of talent and project resources.
• Assist in the development of an effective freelance network, enhancing our ability to flexibly scale creative capacity as needed.

Pricing Decisions and Profit Optimisation

• Implement strategies to optimise profit margins, identifying opportunities for cost efficiencies and revenue maximisation.

Risk Management

• Stay abreast of industry trends and regulatory changes to ensure compliance and mitigate potential risks.

Measures of success:

• Profitable growth of the business, hitting or exceeding all budgeted financial metrics
• Systems and processes that adapt as the company grows, are understood, accepted and easily and effectively provide key data for strategic decision making

The benefits of the role of Finance & Operations Manager are:

• A competitive and transparent salary
• 5% employer pension contribution
• 23 days holiday increasing with service, your birthday and Christmas off
• An annual team holiday
• Team bonus
• Personal development plans
• A beautiful studio to work in

VisionFR is committed to encouraging equality, diversity, inclusion and eliminating unlawful discrimination within our workforce and whilst fulfilling our Client recruitment needs.

Due to the high level of applications being received if you do not hear from us within 5 working days, please assume your application has not been successful on this occasion, usually due to other candidates having more relevant sector exposure, qualifications or required skills. We thank you for your interest.