Join to apply for the Finance Director role at AKQA

Continue with Google Continue with Google

Join to apply for the Finance Director role at AKQA

Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.

Sign in to access AI-powered advices

Continue with Google Continue with Google

Continue with Google Continue with Google

Continue with Google Continue with Google

Continue with Google Continue with Google

Continue with Google Continue with Google

Continue with Google Continue with Google

At AKQA, we believe in the imaginative application of art and science to create beautiful ideas, products and services. With an entrepreneurial and collaborative approach, we design adaptive digital services and applications that capture the imagination, delivering impressive returns for our clients.

• Provide strategic leadership across all financial functions, including Financial Accounting, FP&A, and Commercial Finance.
• Partner cross-functionally with department heads and senior leadership to align financial strategy with business objectives and operational goals.
• Lead the development and execution of long-term financial planning to support growth and drive business performance.
• Deliver comprehensive financial oversight to Founding Partners and senior team, with clear, actionable insights that bridge commercial realities with creative ambitions.
• Oversee financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, tax compliance, and year-end processes across UK and US, including flash reports, balance sheet reviews, transfer pricing and statutory accounts.
• Ensure timely, accurate monthly, quarterly and annual close processes in compliance with WPP standards.
• Drive initiatives to optimise profitability, operational efficiency and financial performance, proactively improving reporting, KPIs and financial storytelling.
• Manage and optimise cash flow, working capital and supplier payments, while liaising with WPP, AKQA, auditors and tax teams.
• Ensure full compliance with SOX requirements and all relevant WPP financial policies and controls.
• Provide financial support for project delivery: approve budgets and costing sheets, track utilisation, and support creative excellence and investment reviews.
• Act as finance lead on new business lifecycle: from early conversations to contract negotiation and sign-off, including legal documentation (NDAs, partner agreements).
• Oversee and approve production agreements and supplier contracts to ensure financial and legal alignment.
• Lead procurement activities across UK and US markets, covering pricing, onboarding, sustainability policies, IT frameworks, and legal/operational queries.
• Oversee payroll master-file updates, freelance contracts, IR35 assessments and disbursements to ensure compliance.
• Collaborate with AKQA Group Finance to align on global initiatives, systems integration, accounting processes and development of high-performing finance talent.
• Build and develop a high-impact Finance team through regular feedback, performance management, and career development planning.

• Chartered accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA).
• Academic background in accounting, finance, or a related field, with strong technical accounting knowledge.
• Strategic thinker with a commercially driven mindset and strong sense of financial ownership.
• Proven leadership ability, with experience managing, inspiring and developing high-performing teams.
• Exceptional attention to detail, analytical skills and the ability to translate complex data into meaningful business insights.
• Strong Excel skills and experience with financial systems; knowledge of Paprika or similar platforms is a plus.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment with shifting priorities and deadlines.
• Open, collaborative and inclusive communication style.
• Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills, capable of influencing non-financial peers.
• Confident in making informed decisions under pressure and balancing multiple perspectives.
• Proactive, solutions-oriented and adaptable, with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Familiarity with WPP reporting practices, tools and financial controls is advantageous.
• Previous experience in an agency or creative business environment is preferred.
• Committed to innovation and process improvement, with a hands-on, entrepreneurial spirit.
• Fair and balanced approach to leadership, fostering trust and accountability across teams.
• Experience in managing change within an evolving business environment is advantageous
• You’ll have a positive, can-do attitude and be a source of positive energy in the business, seeing opportunities, not barriers.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Director

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Advertising, General Business, and Design

• Industries

  Design Services

Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at AKQA by 2x

Get notified about new Financial Director jobs in London, England, United Kingdom .

London, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago

London, England, United Kingdom 7 months ago

London, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago

London, England, United Kingdom 5 days ago

London, England, United Kingdom 4 months ago

Senior Director of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)

London, England, United Kingdom 3 days ago

London, England, United Kingdom 2 weeks ago

Senior Director, Western Europe Head of Finance

London, England, United Kingdom 2 days ago

Director of Financial Planning and Analysis

Director of Financial Planning and Analysis

Greater London, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago

Chief Financial Officer at Retail Insights

London, England, United Kingdom 7 months ago

London, England, United Kingdom 3 weeks ago

London, England, United Kingdom 1 week ago

We’re unlocking community knowledge in a new way. Experts add insights directly into each article, started with the help of AI.