Director of Finance

Creative United; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A values-led social enterprise is seeking a Finance Director to lead financial planning and reporting. This role involves overseeing finance operations, ensuring compliance, and managing a small team. The ideal candidate will be a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA) with senior management experience, particularly in small business or not-for-profit settings. Join a supportive environment that values creativity, inclusivity, and entrepreneurial thinking.

Benefits

Inclusive work environment

Opportunity to influence strategic direction

Qualifications

• Track record of senior financial leadership in a small business or not-for-profit.
• Proven experience at senior management level, including board reporting.
• Ability to manage regulatory and tax compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial planning, forecasting, and reporting.
• Prepare management information for the Board and SMT.
• Oversee day-to-day finance operations including cashflow and payroll.

Skills

Financial leadership

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Communication of financial information

Collaboration and solutions-focused approach

Education

Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA)

Tools

Xero

Job description

Hours: 0.8 FTE

Creative United is a UK-wide social enterprise dedicated to building a sustainable, resilient and inclusive creative economy, championing innovation and diversity across the cultural sector for over a decade. Working with public funders, Higher Education Institutions and commercial partners, we develop and deliver research, finance initiatives and business support programmes that help creative practitioners strengthen their business models, overcome economic barriers, expand their audiences, increase revenues and maximise social impact.

As we continue to grow our ambition and influence, we are now seeking a Finance Director to help shape and support the next stage of our organisation’s development.

The Director of Finance will provide strategic and operational leadership across all financial aspects of the business. Working closely with the Chief Executive and Senior Management Team, you will play a key role in strengthening financial systems, guiding business planning, and supporting the organisation's continued growth and sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the financial planning, forecasting, and reporting to support strategic decision-making
• Prepare and present clear, insightful management information for the Board and SMT
• Oversee day-to-day finance operations including cashflow, payroll, VAT, and statutory filings
• Manage the annual audit process and ensure full compliance with regulatory and tax requirements
• Develop robust systems and processes for accurate and accessible financial reporting
• Support the design and financial modelling of new business initiatives
• Lead and develop a small finance team (Bookkeeper 0.6 FTE)
• Act as Data Protection Officer, ensuring compliance with GDPR and related policies

About You

You’ll be qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA) or have the equivalent experience, with a track record of senior financial leadership - ideally within a small business or not-for-profit organisation. You combine technical expertise with strategic insight, bringing an entrepreneurial mindset to financial management.

You’ll also bring:

• Proven experience at senior management level, including board reporting and team leadership
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with meticulous attention to detail
• Proficiency in finance systems (ideally Xero) and confidence with wider business systems
• The ability to communicate complex financial information clearly and persuasively
• A collaborative, solutions-focused approach that fits our culture of creativity and innovation

Experience within the arts, cultural, or creative industries is highly desirable.

Why Join?

At Creative United, you’ll be part of a values-led organisation where creativity, integrity, inclusivity, and entrepreneurial thinking are at the heart of everything we do. You’ll have the chance to influence the strategic direction of a respected social enterprise, working in a supportive environment that values your ideas and expertise.

Creative United is an inclusive employer and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. If you have any accessibility needs during the recruitment process, please make Leanne at Altum aware.

How to Apply

Please send your CV using the “apply” button by our application closing date of Monday 5th January.

If you have any questions, contact Leanne at Altum (details in contact section).

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.