Head of Finance: Marketing, Operations and 4 Studio

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

Channel 4’s Finance team has a vision of being a collaborative and trusted business partner at the heart of the organisation, delivering actionable insight with accuracy and integrity whilst safeguarding long-term sustainability. 

The Head of Finance: Marketing, Operations and 4 Studio is a key leadership position within the Business Partnering function, reporting to the Director of Commercial Finance. The role is pivotal in executing the Fast Forward strategy, to drive Channel 4's strategic and operational objectives. The Head of Finance: Marketing, Operations and 4 Studio will lead a number of P&L areas: Marketing - £60m cost base, 4 Studio- £20m revenues, Corporate Costs and Commercial Affairs - £90m costs in total-    as well as being the finance lead for some key strategic initiatives- Operating Efficiency, the sale of our Horseferry Road site and any additional special projects. 

The successful candidate will be energetic, an excellent communicator, collaborator, and a credible leader- managing a team of 5 heads. The Head of Finance is a member of the finance leadership Team (FLT) and will be expected to deputise for the Director of Finance where necessary. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Corporate Costs 

• Oversight of £90m+ of corporate costs budget, including Finance, Nations and Regions, Workspace and Facilities Management, Commercial Affairs, People, DEI and Insight
• Provide strategic financial insight, scenario analysis, and recommendations to influence executive decision-making
• Be a strategic and credible business partner, providing constructive challenge to the responsible execs to drive business performance
• Support on key commercial negotiations, investment decisions, business cases and partnerships and identifying opportunities to drive efficiencies
• Support budget, 3YP and forecasting process

Operating Efficiency 

• Provide finance leadership on the operating efficiency programme, in partnership with 7 Steps Solutions and across the business
• Identify and size opportunities, validate ideas and assess their applicability to C4
• Lead the drive to execute savings by obtaining business buy in, identifying blockers and working through strategies to implement change
• Champion ‘always on’ approach to cost management using cost analytics and external benchmarks, work cross-functionally across departments
• Input into and lead regular steerco meetings on OE and ensure there is a rigorous governance process
• Work with FP&A team to ensure savings are baked into budget and long range forecast

Special Projects 

• Able to perform deep dives where required into specific areas of, or activities across, the business, to deliver actionable insight and a recommended course of action
• Key finance lead supporting the sale of the Horseferry Road building and the sourcing of a new home, ensuring that the transaction generates maximum value for Channel 4, owning and maintaining the business plan, and evaluation and management of key risks (financial and non-financial)
• Support any other upcoming special projects as required by CFO/Director of Commercial Finance

Marketing, 4 Creative and 4 Studio

• Whilst the current SFM is on maternity leave, this role will provide additional support when required to the Chief Marketing Officer and MD of 4Studio and the rest of the Marketing and Creative senior leadership team- the mat cover will still be the day to day contact for all of the teams.
• Continue to identify and execute improvements in processes and ways of working in partnership with the business
• Support key strategic priorities for the marketing and 4 Studio teams, including improving marketing effectiveness, scaling up 4 Studio to supercharge revenue and profitability
• Support budget, 3YP and forecasting process

Leadership and People

• Build strong working relationships with executive team and other key stakeholders
• Direct line management of Finance Manager, Corporate Costs and a Management Accountant, as well as a dotted line into the 7SS team who currently lead the Procurement and Operating Efficiency workstream
• Direct line management of a Senior Finance Manager, Marketing and 4 Studio, Manager and Senior Finance Analyst – providing coaching and development
• Will also require ability to deliver through others when leading special projects and cross-functional initiatives
• Foster a collaborative, learning-driven, and performance-oriented culture.
• Attract and nurture diverse finance talent, role-modelling values and behaviours.
• Be a key member of the Finance Leadership Team, helping to drive the People Agenda

Qualifications and Experience

• Qualified Accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) with at least 10+ years’ post-qualification experience.
• Proven track record in commercial finance, FP&A, and business partnering in complex organisations, preferably in the media and entertainment sector- with experience of managing cost centres as well as revenue lines
• Able to ‘get stuck in’ but also see the big picture- should be able to distil key insights from many different data sources into a clear plan of action  aligned with business strategy
• Expert at simplifying complex financial information succinctly for a broad range of stakeholders and ‘telling the story’
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, comfortable interacting with, and presenting to the C-suite.
• Highly organised, able to perform under pressure and at pace, and comfortable with ambiguity
• Advanced financial modelling and analytical skills – that can be shared with the team
• Comfortable working in a highly results focused, complex organisation, undergoing significant change, and adept at working cross-functionally
• Be adept at attracting and nurturing diverse finance talent, role-modelling the right values and behaviours.
• Able to prioritise and manage time effectively – with a wide remit
• Experience of leading teams and developing talent- able to deliver through others
• High levels of personal credibility, professionalism and ethical standards
• Be committed to and aligned with the Channel 4 remit