Chief Finance Officer

Department/Team: Finance

Responsible to: Executive Director

Direct reports: Financial Controller and Production & Reporting Accountant

Contract: Permanent

Location: Mix of home working and from The Old Vic, 103 The Cut, London, SE1 8NB
(min 3 office days)

Hours: Full-Time - 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday

The Old Vic offers the ability to work these flexibly under the guidelines in our Hybrid Working policy. Additional hours may be necessary in order to fulfil the requirements of the post.

Salary: Competitive

The CFO is responsible for developing The Old Vic’s financial strategy and financial risk management, as well as the organisation’s governance and legal compliance.

The CFO will be responsible for the overall financial management of The Old Vic organisation and will have a day-to-day hand in the finance operation at the theatre, helping to analyse and grow the financial position. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team and in support of the Artistic and Executive Director, the CFO will play a leadership role, liaising with the Board to drive change to oversee governance, data, process improvements, cash flow planning, budget planning and tracking financial performance.

Alongside responsibility for the organisation’s financial leadership, the postholder will lead the organisation’s governance, legal affairs, risk management and regulatory compliance framework, ensuring the charity meets its statutory obligations and operates in accordance with charity law, company law, fundraising regulations, employment legislation and relevant sector‑specific requirements. The role will act as principal adviser to the Chief Executive, Board of Trustees and Board Committees on governance, compliance and organisational risk.

The Old Vic is in the early stages of developing a multi-year digital and IT strategy. The objectives include, strengthening cyber security and compliance, improving systems and data quality, and future readiness / responsible innovation (AI). This role will lead that work.

The Finance team is a team of circa 8 people and is split into two strands:
Financial accounting and reporting and Financial planning and analysis. Payroll also sits within the Finance function.

The CFO will work closely with all teams, business partnering to add value and provide insights and recommendations. They will partner with production heads to plan production budgets, with Development to keep track of funds raised for both revenue and capital, with the FOH operations team for commercial F&B income, and with People (HR) for staffing and headcount budgets.

The postholder will build and maintain strong relationships with external stakeholders including auditors, legal advisers, regulators, funders, banks, insurers and professional advisers, ensuring the organisation meets its statutory obligations and operates in accordance with charity, company and other relevant legislation while effectively managing organisational risk.

• Lead the organisation’s financial strategy, planning and stewardship, ensuring long-term financial sustainability and alignment with artistic and organisational objectives.

• Oversee all aspects of financial management including budgeting, forecasting, management accounting, statutory reporting, treasury, cashflow, investment, debt and insurance management.

• Ensure robust financial controls, systems and processes are in place, maintaining compliance with charity, company, tax and funding regulations and supporting effective decision-making across the organisation.

• Lead the preparation of annual budgets, reforecasts, statutory accounts, management accounts and financial reporting for the Board, Committees, Executive Team, funders and regulators.

• Pr…