Job title: Fixed Term - Head of Finance / Finance Director (depending on experience) Duration: 3-4 months Start date: Immediate Location: Brighton (Hybrid - three days in the office) Salary: £70,000 - £90,000 - pro rata (depending on experience) Join the Award-Winning Team at Man Bites Dog Do you have a passion for driving financial success in a dynamic and creative environment? If you’re an experienced finance leader with a knack for strategic thinking and operational excellence, we want to hear from you. We are a successful, growing business with big ambitions for the future. We are looking for a dynamic, hands-on financial lead to manage our finance team and support our leadership team to supercharge our next phase of growth. About Us: Man Bites Dog is an award-winning global B2B thought leadership and strategic marketing consultancy working with some of the world’s most exciting companies, including global leaders in technology, professional and financial services and engineering sectors. From sustainability and energy transition to AI and the future of work, our campaigns focus on some of today’s biggest issues and apply fresh thinking to fascinating subjects in order to deliver brand and sales impact for our clients. Role Overview: As the most senior person in the Finance team, you will lead all finance activities and effectively manage the Finance team. You will be a collaborative and energising business partner to the business on all finance and commercial matters. You will thrive in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment, being extremely hands-on. Responsibilities: Lead and deliver on year-end accounts, annual budgets, quarterly budgets, and forecasting Manage payroll (outsourced), set KPIs, ensure tax and VAT compliance Oversee income recognition, manage accrued and deferred income, utilisation reporting, profit management, and pensions management Manage monthly cash flow, major expenditures, supplier management, and income tracking Optimise finance systems (e.g., Xero, Synergist) and oversee all financial operations Oversee business and financial planning, invoicing, supplier payments, insurances, employee benefits, expenses, and trademarks Track overheads and produce monthly management accounts Report management information against KPIs Provide SLT reporting/board packs, investment analysis, and manage accrued and deferred income. Conduct client due diligence and manage client contracts Contribute to bids and tenders, and provide financial information for client pitches Review income and profitability of each revenue stream Drive continuous improvement in finance systems and processes Support infrastructure for increasing revenues from new geographies Encourage a culture of commerciality and coach consultants on financial management Foster a workplace culture of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEI&B) Why Join Us? Collaborate with exciting clients and an award-winning team of industry leaders, on innovative campaigns that are dedicated to making a positive impact on the world. Be part of a collegiate culture, previously named ‘Specialist B2B Agency of the Year’ at the B2B Marketing Awards in recognition of our team engagement and commitment to creating the best working environment. Man Bites Dog is an equal-opportunity employer. We believe that employing a diverse workforce is central to our success and our DEI&B group is continually looking at ways we can encourage every employee to express and believe in themselves. Ready to Make an Impact? If you are precise, consistent, have presence and energy, and are passionate about finance driving success across all areas of the business, we would love to hear from you Join us at Man Bites Dog and be part of a dynamic team that is shaping the future of strategic marketing consultancy. For more information about us, please visit our website. Requirements Essential: Immediately available 5-10 years of experience as a financial leader in a growing SME (ideally £5m) Experience in time-based costing, project WIP, revenue recognition, and deferred and accrued income Accountancy Qualification Proven ability to lead and manage financial teams, ensuring seamless operations, and strategic decision-making Experience managing time-based financial recognition systems, ensuring accurate and timely reporting of financial performance. Experience with time recording / project software High-level skills in Microsoft Office, Excel, and Xero Excellent attention to detail, accuracy, and proactive analysis Strong communication skills and a collaborative approach A self-starter who can hit the ground running, can multitask and wear a lot of hats at all levels and has the ability to work in a fast-paced leadership role Excellent time management skills Ability to meet strict deadlines Professional approach to tasks and responsibilities Business partnering experience Ability to remain agile and respond to shifting organisational priorities Desire to work in a dynamic and creative business Desirable: Experience with Synergist or Paprika (or other time-based agency or project management software) Experience in a similar role in an agency or consultancy environment