Finance Director – CO-OP Live, Manchester

PSD Group; England; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent executive search firm is looking for a Finance Director for a transformative venue in the UK. This role demands a fully qualified accountant with proven leadership skills and a strong financial strategy background. The Finance Director will oversee financial governance, influence key decisions, and drive commercial strategies. The position includes a competitive six-figure salary, a bonus up to 20%, and excellent benefits. Applications are welcomed by candidates committed to creating an inclusive workplace.

Benefits

Six-figure salary

Annual bonus up to 20%

Excellent benefits

Qualifications

• Significant post-qualification experience in senior leadership roles.
• Proven track record in financial strategy, business planning, and operational finance.
• Strong ability to influence at Board and Executive levels.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial governance and oversee all aspects of financial control.
• Advise on key financial decisions, risks, and investment opportunities.
• Drive financial performance management of events.

Skills

Financial strategy

Commercial acumen

Leadership

Financial transformation

Strategic insights

Education

Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)

Tools

Oracle NetSuite

Tipalti

Job description

Six Figure Base + Bonus + Benefits

Outstanding opportunity to join the Leadership Team at this hugely exciting and unique venue.

The Finance Director will be a key member of the Executive Leadership Team, responsible for driving the financial integrity, commercial performance,technology and strategic planning of Co-op Live -the UK’s most ambitious music and live entertainment venue.

The Finance Director will lead financial governance, provide strategic insights that shape long-term business direction, and ensure the commercial sustainability of the venue through outstanding leadership and bold, data driven decision – making.

This role will balance traditional financial oversight with strategic influence—partnering across departments, influencing key stakeholders, and leading the transformation of financial systems, modelling, and planning capabilities to support the support the rapid evolution the business.

Download the full Candidate Briefing Paper.

Functional Reports

• Finance Controller
• Head of Technology

Key Relationships

• General Manager/EXCO
• Co-op Live Team
• Co-op Live Board
• Sport City Management Company Board
• City Football Group Finance Team (Joint Venture partners)
• OVG
• Co-op Live Customers and Suppliers

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Lead the development and execution of the financial strategy aligned to long-term business goals and commercial success.
• Advise the General Manager and Executive Committee on key financial decisions, business risks, and investment opportunities.
• Shape financial models to support pricing, ticketing, sponsorship, and venue monetisation strategies at Co-op Live.
• Own long-term business planning, budgeting, and forecasting cycles, ensuring alignment across all functions, working in partnership with the Executive Committee.
• Establish and nurture strong relationships with key internal and external stakeholders and suppliers.

Finance Governance and Control

• Oversee all aspects of financial control including monthly, quarterly, and year-end reporting to internal stakeholders and external partners.
• Ensure compliance with banking covenants, audit requirements, statutory obligations, and group reporting standards.
• Maintain robust balance sheet health, cash flow management, and working capital optimisation.
• Lead internal controls and risk management processes that ensure transparency and accountability.
• Attend Co-op Live Board and Sport City Management Company Board meetings, leading the financial reporting at all meetings.

Commercial Strategy and Insight

• Act as a strategic business leader across the organisation, providing data-led insights to shape performance improvement and commercial growth.
• Drive financial performance management of events, including live forecasting, profitability analysis, and post-event reviews.
• Guide strategic partnerships with commercial rigour and insight-driven negotiation.
• Contribute to the venue’s broader strategy, including sustainability initiatives and carbon neutrality targets.
• Key Responsibilities:Commercial Strategy and Insight

Operational Finance and Systems Leadership

• Lead continuous improvement of finance systems, reporting tools, and automation initiatives.
• Oversee payroll accuracy, procurement, and transactional finance functions.
• Develop integrated reporting capabilities that provide timely, meaningful insights to drive decision-making.

Team Leadership and Culture

• Build and inspire high-performing Finance and Technology teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, excellence, and innovation.
• Mentor emerging talent and model leadership behaviours reflect Co-op Live’s values.
• Champion sustainability and inclusion across all financial and strategic initiatives.
• To have a genuine passion for creating a planet friendly space, driving positive change, and acting as an ambassador for change to help us reach our target of carbon neutral by 2038.

Key Measures and Targets

• Timely, accurate month-end, quarter-end, and year-end reporting.
• Delivery of strategic planning, budgeting, and forecasting cycles.
• Achievement of financial targets, cost optimisation, and commercial KPIs.
• Compliance with audit, tax, regulatory, and banking obligations.
• Development and retention of a high-performing finance team.
• Contribution to overall business growth and strategy execution.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience:

Candidates who are able to demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and experience are invited to apply:

Essential

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with significant post-qualification experience in senior leadership roles at Finance Director or equivalent.
• Intellectually strong with a high level of strategic acumen and business management skills and a proven ability to transform vision into reality.
• Proven track record in financial strategy, business planning, and operational finance.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to drive decision-making and profitability
• Demonstrated experience leading high-performing teams through periods of growth and change
• Expertise in systems implementation and financial transformation projects
• Confident communicator with the ability to influence at Board and Executive levels.
• Energetic, persuasive and engaging personality with inspirational leadership skills.

Desirable

• Background in entertainment, hospitality, stadium, or complex venue operations.
• Familiarity with Oracle NetSuite, Tipalti, and CRM/event finance integrations.
• Experience managing banking relationships and investor reporting.
• Knowledge of sustainability-focused financial planning.

Our Inclusion Commitment:

• Our venue is for the fans, the artists, everyone! Attracting a diverse workforce which reflects our local community is what will make our venue the best music venue in the UK! To continue to positively disrupt the sports and live entertainment industry, we need a diverse team to help us do it. We believe that inclusivity drives innovation, strengthens our people, improves our service, and raises our excellence.
• We are committed to creating a great place to work, amplifying voices from all different backgrounds. If you are ready to make a positive disruption in the live entertainment and hospitality industry, then Co-op Live is for you.
• If you do require any additional support or reasonable adjustments to support your application, please let us know and we will work with you to ensure you have everything you need.
• We will consider applications from all candidates who are able to demonstrate the required skills necessary to fulfil the role.

Remuneration

• Competitive Six Figure Base Salary
• Annual Bonus up to 20%
• Excellent Benefits

Application Process

To apply please send a short covering letter, current CV and details of current or expected remuneration to our retained search consultancy PSD Group

Closing date for applications is Friday 02 January 2026.

We recognise the importance of safeguarding our people, fans and artists, you will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS), details of which will be shared with you at interview/offer stage.

If successful in your application, you will be required to provide eligibility to work evidence in line with the ‘Eligibility to Work in the UK’ requirements.