Finance Operations & Systems Controller – FTC

Join a leading entertainment business to oversee finance operations, systems, controls and transformation on a 6-month FTC.

Location: London

Salary: £115,000 FTE

Contract: 6 Month Fixed Term Contract

Industry: Media & Entertainment

We are working with a leading entertainment organisation to recruit an experienced Finance Operations & Systems Controller on a six-month fixed-term contract. Reporting to the Finance Director, this is a senior leadership role with responsibility for financial operations, regulatory compliance, internal controls and finance systems. The successful candidate will lead a small team, strengthen the control environment and drive improvements across financial processes, policies and systems.

• Lead and develop the financial operations team, overseeing accounts payable, expenses, payroll, freelancer payments and finance systems.
• Maintain and strengthen financial controls, governance frameworks and risk management processes.
• Oversee regulatory compliance, including IR35, employment tax, financial sanctions and other relevant statutory requirements.
• Review and enhance finance policies, procedures and internal controls, ensuring they remain effective and fit for purpose.
• Drive continuous improvement across financial operations, identifying opportunities for automation, efficiency and stronger controls.
• Lead finance systems improvements and support the delivery of the wider finance systems roadmap.
• Manage financial risk assessments, maintain the finance risk register and escalation material risks where appropriate.
• Work closely with senior leadership and operational stakeholders to ensure financial compliance across the business.
• Develop and monitor operational KPIs, providing reporting and recommendations to senior management.

• Extensive experience in a senior financial operations, finance transformation or finance compliance leadership role.
• Proven experience overseeing accounts payable, expenses and ideally payroll and freelancer payments.
• Strong knowledge of financial controls, risk management and regulatory compliance, including IR35 and employment tax.
• Recent experience leading or playing a significant role in an ERP implementation or finance transformation programme.
• Demonstrable success improving financial processes, implementing controls and driving operational efficiencies.
• Experience with in media, broadcasting, content production or a similarly complex, freelancer-heavy environment would be advantageous.
• Strong leadership skills, with experience managing and developing finance teams.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to influence senior leadership and drive change.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced financial operations leader to take ownership of a broad and business-critical function within an established organisation undergoing continued development and transformation.