Finance Business Partner

Harper May is partnering with a vibrant, high-growth media business to recruit a commercially sharp Finance Business Partner. Known for its disruptive campaigns and global footprint, this fast-paced organisation is looking for a dynamic finance professional to imbed themselves within their creative and operational divisions.

The Role

The Finance Business Partner will act as the financial co-pilot to non-finance stakeholders, including creative directors, production heads, and marketing leads. This is not a traditional back-office accounting role; it is a highly visible, strategic position focused on driving profitability, managing project/production budgets, and challenging commercial assumptions. You will translate complex numbers into strategic narratives that directly influence creative decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

• Commercial Partnership: Act as the dedicated financial advisor to creative and operational departments, translating financial performance into actionable commercial advice.

• Project & Production FP&A: Lead the budgeting, forecasting, and tracking for high-value media campaigns, talent acquisition, and production pipelines.

• Margin & Profitability Analysis: Deliver detailed analysis on project profitability, utilization rates, and client ROI, identifying opportunities to maximise revenue.

• Strategic Reporting: Prepare and present sophisticated monthly commercial packs to divisional heads, highlighting variances, risks, and growth opportunities.

• Contract & Commercial Support: Assist commercial teams with pitch pricing, client contract reviews, and fee negotiations to ensure target margins are achieved.

• Process Optimisation: Refine and automate financial tracking tools and KPIs to better capture creative project delivery metrics.

Candidate Profile

• Qualifications: Fully ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified.

• Sector Expertise: Proven experience working within Media, Advertising, Entertainment, or Creative Agencies is highly desirable.

• Commercial Acumen: Exceptional grasp of project-based accounting, margin analysis, and revenue recognition within a fast-moving, commercial environment.

• Relationship Building: Outstanding interpersonal skills with the ability to build immediate trust, influence decisions, and challenge senior non-finance stakeholders.

• Technical & Analytical Skills: Advanced Excel capability with a knack for manipulating diverse data sets to find the "story" behind the numbers.

• Cultural Fit: An adaptable, energetic professional who thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced, and highly creative culture.