We are looking for a Head of Finance & Operations to join our growing team.

You will be responsible for overseeing all financial aspects of the business and ensuring the financial health and stability of the organisation. You will report directly to the Managing Director and work closely with the founders and leadership team. 

This role is instrumental in guiding our financial strategy and operations, including our IT and working environment. You will be able to spot areas for improvement in each of these areas. You will help plan and implement systems to boost the studio’s profitability and streamline the engine room of the business, all whilst helping to protect the creative output of the agency. 

We are on track with an ambitious growth plan and are simultaneously recruiting a part-time Finance Assistant / Book-keeper who will report to you, along with our Studio Manager and Resource Manager.

We’re looking for someone who has:

• Qualified Accountant status (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) with a proven track record in financial leadership roles.
• A minimum of 10 years’ experience in Financial and Operations roles with at least 4 of those in a relevant creative business, ideally an agency.
• Strong understanding of financial regulations, reporting, and compliance.
• Exceptional financial modelling, analysis and reporting skills.
• A detail driven approach but intimately understands the creative or production agency world.
• Flexibility to offer high level strategic input but is also happy to roll up their sleeves to deliver hands on support across the business.
• Passion for implementing processes that support and allow creativity to flourish.
• Ability to juggle, manage and prioritise the various disciplines of the Finance & Operations ecosystem
• Expertise to confidently evaluate opportunities and investment decisions across the business and ensure they will positively impact profit and performance.
• Advanced Excel or Google Sheets knowledge (creating spreadsheets and using financial functions).
• Advanced knowledge of accounting softwares XERO and WorkflowMax and expense software PLEO.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities:

Financial Leadership

• Oversee all financial activities, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and strategic financial planning.
• Collaborate with the leadership team to develop and implement financial strategies that align with our business goals.

Budgetary Control

• Lead the annual budgeting process, providing insightful analysis and recommendations to optimise resource allocation.
• Monitor and control expenses to ensure financial objectives are met without compromising creativity and innovation.

Cash Flow Forecasting and Financial Reporting

• Manage cash flow forecasting, ensuring liquidity for day-to-day operations as well as building and protecting cash reserves for protection and investment.
• Prepare comprehensive monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports for the Board and Leadership team, offering valuable insights and recommendations.

Operations Oversight

• Take charge of our Operations functions, overseeing IT (including software and server management), to ensure smooth and efficient processes across the organisation.
• Identify opportunities for operational improvements to enhance overall productivity and employee satisfaction.
• Oversee and manage the systems that support the running of the studio, this currently includes, but is not limited to; Asana, WorkflowMax, XERO, Google Suite, Adobe Creative Suite, Maxon One

Strategic Planning

• Provide financial insights to contribute to the development and execution of the company’s strategic initiatives.
• Collaborate with department heads to align financial planning with creative project goals and client expectations.

Resource Allocation and Freelance Network

• Oversee effective resource allocation to ensure optimal utilisation of talent and project resources.
• Assist in the development of an effective freelance network, enhancing our ability to flexibly scale creative capacity as needed.

Pricing Decisions and Profit Optimisation

• Play a key role in pricing decisions, leveraging market insights and cost structures to ensure competitive yet profitable pricing.
• Implement strategies to optimise profit margins, identifying opportunities for cost efficiencies and revenue maximisation.

Risk Management

• Implement effective risk management strategies to safeguard the financial integrity of the organisation.
• Stay abreast of industry trends and regulatory changes to ensure compliance and mitigate potential risks.

Measures of success:

• Profitable growth of the business, hitting or exceeding all budgeted financial metrics 
• Systems and processes that adapt as the company grows, are understood, accepted and easily and effectively provide key data for strategic decision making

And what will you get in return?

Our people are the foundation of our business and we work hard to develop, invest in and provide a fun, inspirational environment for them to grow. You’ll enjoy;

• a competitive and transparent salary,
• 5% employer pension contribution,
• 23 days holiday increasing with service, plus bank holidays, your birthday and Christmas off on top,
• an annual team holiday,
• team bonus,
• personal development plans, 
• and a beautiful studio right in the heart of historic Winchester.

Please send your application and covering letter to [email protected]

Closing date: 15 February 2024.

Team: Operations
Salary Range: £70,000 – £75,000
Hours: Monday – Friday. 9am–5pm
Location: Hybrid / Winchester

The Canopy Studio is continuing to grow and is now in a position where we need to expand our Finance & Operations team to ensure we have the rigour in place to run as effectively and profitably as possible.

We’re looking for somebody who can confidently manage the day-to-day financial running of the studio, ensuring payments are made on time, invoices are submitted and all the relevant systems are up to date. You’ll report to and support the Head of Finance & Operations to manage cash flow effectively, and keep our finance systems, Xero and WorkflowMax, in good order.

You’ll develop strong relationships with the internal team and external finance partners, collaborating closely to agree best practice for finance management in the studio, including expense submission, outgoing invoice issue and payment, and accurate recording of all incoming bills and associated costs.

You won’t be afraid to suggest new ways of working and will implement these to ensure the financial engine room of the studio is running as efficiently and economically as possible.

We’re looking for someone who has:

• Experience in a similar role such as Finance or Operations Assistant, ideally within a creative agency.
• Advanced Excel or Google Sheets knowledge (creating spreadsheets and using financial functions).
• Familiarity with accounting softwares XERO and WorkflowMax and expense software PLEO.
• Able to support with ad hoc administrative tasks as and when required.
• Prepared, self starter who is organised with sharp attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Keen interest in growing within the Finance & Operations team of The Canopy Studio.

Responsibilities:

• Act as the main point of contact for any finance queries both internally and externally.
• Process incoming and outgoing bills and follow up with clients, suppliers and partners as needed.
• Own and update the invoicing and purchase order data on The Canopy’s internal systems.
• Match incoming bills against issued purchase orders and issue new purchase orders as required.
• Track and reconcile bank transactions.
• Support monthly payroll and keep organised records.
• Support in the preparation of VAT returns, process and manage tax payments.
• Work closely with the Head of Finance & Operations to produce financial reports for management, including reports on utilisation of projects in the studio.

Measures of success:

• Smooth operation of the day to day finance function.
• Timely settlement of accounts payable.
• Continual improvement of accounts receivable by driving down debtor days.
• Organised and efficient process for purchase orders, invoices and bills incurred on all projects.

And what will you get in return?

Our people are the foundation of our business and we work hard to develop, invest in and provide a fun, inspirational environment for them to grow. You’ll enjoy;

• a competitive and transparent salary,
• 5% employer pension contribution,
• 23 days (pro-rata) holiday increasing with service + bank holidays, birthday and Christmas off on top,
• an annual team holiday,
• team bonus,
• personal development plans, 
• and a beautiful studio right in the heart of historic Winchester.

Please send your application and covering letter to [email protected]

Closing date: 15 February 2024.

Team: Operations
Salary Range: Up to £28,000 (Pro-Rata)
Hours: 2 Days / 16 Hours p/Week
Location: Hybrid / Winchester

Join our freelance collective

We’re always on the lookout for talented freelancers to join our creative roster. If you’re a designer, animator, artworker, copywriter, producer, motion graphic or CGI/VFX artist, we’d love to hear from you. Simply send us your CV, and a little about you and we’ll be in touch.

Canvas

Free-thinkers, daydream-believers, The Canopy can help your creative careers take flight. Our Canvas internship programme welcomes aspiring creatives into the fold, overlaying our experience with your ambition, enthusiasm and ideas.

You’ll work on real briefs for exciting clients and boost your portfolio with some outstanding work.

Stay tuned.