Finance Director - Stealth Startup

Overview

We are a well-capitalised, founder-led startup operating in stealth mode, building a global, IP-led live events and data-driven platform. We are seeking a Finance Director to own and build the finance function from first principles, supporting international operations across the US, UK and Europe.

This is a senior, hands-on role for an operator who has scaled finance in complex, cross-border businesses and is comfortable with high accountability, pace and ambiguity.

• End-to-end ownership of the finance function
  • Full ownership of financial operations, controls, reporting and compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
  • Ensure compliance with international accounting standards, including US GAAP and IFRS.
  • Final sign-off authority on accounting policies, financial controls, cash movements and statutory filings across all entities.
• Management, board and investor reporting
  • Design and implement robust KPI frameworks for internal management reporting.
  • Produce high-quality board and investor reporting, including monthly, quarterly and ad-hoc analysis to support strategic decision-making.
• International finance operations
  • Oversee international reconciliations across multiple entities, currencies and banking structures.
  • Own treasury operations, cash forecasting, liquidity planning and capital allocation.
  • Manage FX exposure, hedging strategy and execution where appropriate.
• Systems, controls and risk
  • Select, implement and own core finance systems, including ERP, payments, expense management, consolidation and reporting tools.
  • Design and enforce internal controls, fraud prevention and financial risk management frameworks, with specific focus on live event operations and cash-intensive environments.
• External and internal oversight
  • Manage external accountants, auditors and tax advisors across the US, UK and Europe.
  • Oversee day-to-day bookkeeping, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and scalability of processes and outputs.
• Business partnership and transaction readiness
  • Act as a strategic partner to the founder and senior leadership team, supporting growth, international expansion and operational scaling.
  • Lead budgeting, forecasting and scenario planning for a rapidly scaling international events business.
  • Prepare the business for future financing, strategic transactions and institutional scrutiny, including audit readiness, data rooms and diligence processes.

• Senior finance leadership experience (Finance Director, Head of Finance or equivalent) in international organisations operating across the US, UK and Europe.
• Strong technical accounting background with hands-on experience of US GAAP and IFRS.
• Direct experience in event-led, live operations or similarly complex operational businesses with variable revenues and cost structures.
• Proven track record managing multi-entity, multi-currency finance structures.
• Experience working with external auditors, advisors and senior stakeholders in high-growth environments.

• Highly structured, detail-driven and commercially sharp.
• Comfortable operating hands-on in the early stages while building a finance function designed to scale.
• Clear ownership mentality with strong judgment and control orientation.
• Willing and able to travel extensively as the business scales internationally.
• Discreet, trusted operator comfortable working within a confidential, non-public environment.

• Competitive base salary.
• Annual performance bonus tied to financial, operational and reporting KPIs.