Finance Director, The Drum
Part-Time
£60k
Pro-rated based on PT hours - c.£120,000 FTE, Offers company-wide discretionary bonus scheme based on business performance.
More information about location
2-3 days a week in office
Global publisher for the marketing and media industries
Be an early applicant
Global publisher for the marketing and media industries
201-500 employees
Be an early applicant
£60k
Pro-rated based on PT hours - c.£120,000 FTE, Offers company-wide discretionary bonus scheme based on business performance.
More information about location
2-3 days a week in office
201-500 employees
Company mission
To help our 1 million plus readers prepare for what's next.
Role
Who you are
- The successful candidate will be a qualified finance professional (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with significant experience operating at Finance Director or equivalent level
- Experience in media, events, content, or professional services businesses is advantageous, as is experience working with international operations, particularly the US
- The role would suit an individual comfortable operating in a hands-on, pragmatic, part-time or portfolio capacity, with the credibility and communication skills to operate effectively at Board and SLT level
What the job involves
- Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer
- The Finance Director will have full responsibility for the finance function of The Drum, providing senior financial leadership, strong governance, and high-quality commercial insight to support decision-making across the business
- This is a hands-on, part-time role suited to an experienced finance leader who can balance operational rigor with strategic influence, including oversight of US operations
- Overall leadership and accountability for the finance function, including management, development, and performance review of finance staff
- Responsibility for management reporting for all stakeholders, including the Board, Senior Leadership Team (SLT), and other stakeholders as appropriate
- Overall responsibility for cash management, cashflow forecasting, working capital, and liquidity planning
- Ownership of banking relationships, including all reporting to the bank and oversight of debt arrangements, covenants, and financing structures
- Responsibility for statutory, legal, and regulatory compliance across the Group
- Oversight of company secretarial matters, corporate governance, legal structure, and statutory filings, including Companies House
- Primary relationship management with external accountants, auditors, legal advisers, and other professional advisers
- Financial oversight of property matters and related contractual or financial obligations
- Design, production, and ongoing maintenance of performance dashboards in a standard, consistent format agreed across the business
- Ownership of finance systems, data integrity, and reporting architecture, ensuring consistent definitions and reliable data across the organisation
- Act as a strategic and commercial partner to the CEO and SLT, providing insight, challenge, and support on key decisions
- Lead and influence productivity and performance initiatives, including pricing, resource utilisation, and allocation of people to projects
- Responsibility for US governance and compliance, ensuring appropriate controls, reporting, and oversight are in place
- Monitoring and supporting investment decisions related to new products and initiatives in the US, particularly events
- Oversight of financial controls, risk management, and internal control frameworks
- Support strategic initiatives including partnerships, acquisitions, disposals, or capital structuring as required
- Outcomes & Measures of Success (12–24 Months)
- A single, trusted management reporting and dashboard suite used consistently by the Board and SLT
- Improved visibility and control over profitability by product, client, and geography
- Clear pricing, utilisation, and productivity metrics embedded into commercial decision-making
- Strong cash discipline with accurate forecasting and no unexpected funding or covenant issues
- Robust and proportionate governance framework in place for US operations
- High-quality, timely statutory and management reporting with strong relationships across banking and advisory partners
- This is a part-time role of approximately two and a half days per week. The role is expected to operate flexibly, with increased time commitment around board cycles, budgeting, audits, or major strategic initiatives
Salary benchmarks
Our take
The Drum was founded in 1985 under the parent company Carnyx Limited and transformed what was once an independent publishing business into a leading British digital media and marketing platform.
Whilst Carnyx, named after an ancient Celtic woodwind instrument, focused on covering the creative industries, The Drum goes a step further in connecting marketing agencies and clients through its articles and consultancy services. The digitisation of The Drum has led to its opening offices in New York and Singapore, a sign of its international appeal.
Digitisation can have its teething problems for legacy creative companies like Carnyx, but it embraced the rapid changes by widening its services and client base. Through the noughties and 2010s, The Drum has gained big-name digital sponsors such as Facebook and the Financial Times.
Steph
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Company
Company benefits
- Hybrid & Remote Working
- Company Bonus Scheme
- Staff Social Events
- Charity Volunteering Days
- Early Finish on Fridays
- Learning & Development Fund
- Employee Referral Bonus
- Mentoring Program
Company HQ
London, UK
Leadership
Diane Young
(Co-Founder & CEO)Currently Managing Director of Carnyx Group Limited. Previously Contracts and Planning Manager at Greater Glasgow Community & Mental Health NHS Trust.
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