Chief Executive Officer

FinTop Consulting; England; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading marketing agency in the UK is seeking a CEO to drive strategic direction and enhance profitability. This role requires proven experience as a CEO or Managing Director in UK SMEs and strong sales acumen. The successful candidate will develop and implement a growth plan, collaborate closely with finance, and lead a high-performing team while maintaining company culture. This position offers an exciting opportunity to leverage untapped potential in a well-established organization.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of success as CEO or Managing Director in UK SMEs.
• Experience in experiential marketing or marketing services preferred.
• Strong sales skills to drive revenue development.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a growth plan to enhance revenue.
• Collaborate with finance for optimal decision-making.
• Lead a top-performing team while maintaining company culture.

Skills

Strategic planning

Sales and marketing skills

Change management

Contract negotiation

Job description

About the Company

A UK private equity investor has agreed on preliminary terms to purchase a majority share in an SME (the "Business"), which is one of the world's top 100 experiential marketing agencies.

The company has offices in the UK and the US and serves blue-chip customers in technology, gaming, entertainment, sports, and automotive. They provide award-winning marketing activations on a worldwide scale.

The company is well-established , having been in operation for over 10 years, with offices in West London and on the East Coast of the United States. It employs fewer than 60 people and has revenues of more than £20 million. The company is now owned and administered by two founders who work part-time. This is made possible by a well-trained staff of high-quality departmental heads who drive day-to-day operations.

Both the founders and the private equity investor believe the Business has several potential strategic directions and growth possibilities that a new CEO could pursue, and they believe that full-time leadership, rather than the current part-time approach, combined with a more modern approach to handling finances and information gathering, provides the greatest potential to unlock these growth opportunities.

The hiring of a new CEO represents a key transformation from founder-led stewardship to a scalable, professionally operated organisation to produce considerable shareholder value for all shareholders, including the CEO as a significant equity holder.

About the Role

The CEO will be fully responsible for the business, reporting to both the Board and the shareholders . This first‑time CEO appointment aims to provide competent leadership, strategic direction , and commercial focus to a business with strong foundations and substantial untapped potential.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a growth plan to enhance revenue and profitability by improving client penetration, acquiring new customers, and launching additional sales offices.
• Led the move from an owner‑managed firm to a contemporary, scalable SME ready for future sale.
• Collaborate with the CFO to establish a contemporary financial department for reporting, management information, KPIs, forecasting, analysis, and insight, resulting in optimal decision‑making at the Board level.
• Improve operational performance, digital adoption , and the customer experience.
• Lead and grow a top‑performing team with a culture of responsibility and excellence, while maintaining the business's winning culture and good morale.
• Strategic Leadership : Develop and implement a clear growth plan to expand market share.
• Improve operational excellence by refining systems, procedures, and reporting for a scalable and efficient growth platform.
• Commercial Development : Build connections with existing clients and explore new growth opportunities. Identify and target new income sources and customer relationships.
• Manage the implementation of essential technical solutions.
• Financial Stewardship : Collaborate with finance to enhance financial management, margins, controls, reporting, and cash discipline.
• Build a strong team by recruiting, coaching, and retaining people. Establish defined responsibilities, KPIs, and a performance culture throughout the business with inspiring leadership.
• Stakeholder Management : Represent the company to clients, important suppliers, lenders, and shareholders, fostering trust and credibility.
• Manage cultural and organisational change to support strategic development.

Success Measure

• Assumed full leadership responsibilities within six months of starting, after transitioning from owner‑managers.
• Deliver a clear strategy plan within six months, with Board approval and support.
• Demonstrated significant revenue growth in 12‑18 months, in line with the agreed‑upon business plan.
• The team is highly motivated and effective, with clear responsibility and strong employee engagement levels.
• Better client happiness and retention, as evidenced by better service delivery indicators.
• Recognised as a market leader and innovator in experiential marketing.
• Successfully exited with increased profitability, best‑in‑class operations, and a plan for future development.

Requirements

• Proven track record of success and development as CEO / Managing Director of UK SMEs.
• Experiential Marketing or Marketing Services experience is preferred but not required.
• Proven ability to drive development via effective strategic planning and change management.
• Extensive commercial expertise, including contract negotiation, major account management, and revenue and market development.
• Extensive operational expertise in system deployment, process reform, and performance management.
• As this is a revenue‑driven value development initiative , the ideal applicant should have strong sales and marketing skills.
• Private equity‑backed business expertise is desirable but not required.

Attributes and Behaviours / Advantages

The Board is looking for a CEO who can combine strategic vision with pragmatic execution. Essential characteristics include :

• The ideal applicant is focused and devoted to the business and its goal. Someone who will devote themselves to this job, be completely focused and engaged in the journey, and be unwavering about the results.
• Sales mindset : Proven track record of sales expansion, with a focus on sales, marketing, and growth. Capable of exploring new income opportunities outside the present systems.
• Demonstrated ability to question the current quo, modernise operations, and drive transformation.
• The leader of a small SME should be a hands‑o‑n, "sleeves rolled up" and "get your hands dirty" sort of person who is willing to do what it takes to achieve success.
• Commercial Instinct : Prioritises profitability, expansion, and customer value.
• Decisive Operator : Capable of making tough decisions, prioritising tasks, and driving execution.
• Inspirational Leader : Capable of energising teams, fostering trust, and promoting accountability and excellence.
• Collaborative Partner : Capable of influencing stakeholders such as shareholders, business partners, and employees.
• Resilient and adaptable to fast‑paced environments , with the ability to shift priorities as needed.
• Owner's Mindset : Acts like a business owner, taking personal responsibility for outcomes and long‑term value development.
• Effective communicator : Concisely conveys difficult information to varied audiences.

How You Can Apply

You can send an email to [e-mail]