Group Finance Director

Job title: Group Finance Director

Reporting to: Chief Financial Officer

Based: London HQ

About TEAM LEWIS

We are a global marketing agency that has gone from start-up to multi-national in little over two decades. Our success is due to a combination of factors: talented people delivering award winning campaigns; expanding client relationships into new markets or services; making strategic acquisitions. The agency its people and client campaigns have won many prestigious awards including Cannes Lions PRovoke Media ICCO European Excellence PRCA Digital Digital Impact Global Digital Excellence.

At the heart of the business is the TEAM LEWIS Foundation (TLF). A non-profit charitable entity funded by TEAM LEWIS the TLF makes grants to support individuals undertaking charitable activities and charitable organisations in achieving their goals. The TLF promotes social cultural economic and environmental innovation that benefits society. It aims to strengthen the bonds between the communications industry businesses governments and non-profits. Since January 2021 the TLF has now supported over 2000 causes all over the globe. Community charities are championed by TEAM LEWIS employees who volunteer their time and skills to maximise the grants effectiveness. You can read more about TEAM LEWIS Foundation at Overview

The Group Finance Director will lead group financial control reporting and consolidation across TEAM LEWIS entities ensuring accurate timely and compliant financial information. This role partners closely with regional finance leads and senior stakeholders to strengthen governance improve processes and support strategic decision-making across the business.

Key Responsibilities

Group reporting consolidation & close

Own the month-end close and group consolidation process ensuring deadlines are met and outputs are accurate.

Produce high-quality management reporting (P&L balance sheet cash flow) with clear variance analysis and commentary.

Maintain and improve group reporting packs KPIs and dashboards for leadership.

Ensure consistent accounting policies and treatment across entities.

Statutory accounts audit & compliance

Lead year-end audit process and act as key contact for external auditors.

Oversee statutory reporting requirements across relevant jurisdictions (with local support where applicable).

Ensure compliance with accounting standards (e.g. IFRS/UK GAAP as applicable) and internal controls.

Support tax and compliance deliverables in partnership with internal/external specialists (VAT corporation tax transfer pricing etc. where relevant).

Financial control & governance

Strengthen financial controls governance and balance sheet integrity across the group.

Own key balance sheet reconciliations and ensure clear supporting documentation and audit trail.

Identify control gaps remediate risks and implement improved policies and procedures.

Drive consistency in intercompany accounting reconciliations and settlements.

Maintain update and suggest improvements to the Group model for cashflow forecasting and bank compliance purposes.

Business partnering & decision support

Partner with senior leaders to provide insight on performance cost management and profitability.

Support budgeting and forecasting cycles ensuring robust assumptions and clear outputs.

Provide ad-hoc analysis for strategic initiatives (growth acquisitions restructuring new markets etc.).

Systems & process improvement

Champion automation and process improvements across reporting and close (including tools/templates).

Ensure finance systems data is clean controlled and fit for purpose; support systems upgrades/projects where required.

Develop and document scalable processes to support a growing global organisation.

Leadership

Lead and develop a high-performing finance team (directly or matrix-managed depending on structure).

Coach stakeholders on financial discipline best practice and controls.

Skills & Experience

Qualified accountant (ACA or equivalent).

Significant post-qualified experience in a group financial control/reporting role (multi-entity ideally multi-currency).

Strong consolidation reporting and balance sheet control experience.

Proven audit and statutory accounts ownership.

Excellent technical accounting knowledge and ability to apply it pragmatically.

Advanced Excel skills; strong analytical capability and attention to detail.

Confident communicator able to influence senior stakeholders across functions and regions.

Desirable

Experience in agency/professional services or project-based revenue environments.

Experience with international entities and intercompany/transfer pricing concepts.

Experience improving close timelines reporting quality and finance controls.

Exposure to finance systems (e.g. Netsuite)

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of the responsibilities for this role. Other responsibilities may be added from time to time.

TEAM LEWIS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to creating and fostering an environment focused on equality empowerment and respect. We strive to create an inclusive workplace that supports and celebrates our diversity. We continue to invest in our efforts to ensure that TEAM LEWIS is a place where everyone can thrive.