Finance Director (Fixed Term)

The Whisky Exchange; Acton; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Staff discounts

Tastings

Product education

Flexi work

25 days holiday

Job summary

The Whisky Exchange is seeking an experienced Finance Director on a six‑month fixed‑term contract. You will lead a 14‑strong finance team, partnering with the Managing Director and Leadership Team to shape strategy, plans and growth.

This is a high‑visibility role balancing strategic oversight with hands‑on delivery. Based in London, the role is hybrid with at least 3 days at the head office, reporting to the Managing Director and collaborating across Buying, Trade, B2C and Operations to drive

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with substantial post‑qualification experience in senior financial leadership roles.
• Broad expertise across commercial finance, FP&A, financial control, reporting, cash management, governance and business partnering.
• Experience in a complex multi‑channel or consumer‑led organisation; retail/e‑commerce/wholesale or premium/luxury experience is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the Managing Director and Leadership Team to shape and deliver business strategy, financial plans and long‑term growth objectives.
• Lead the Finance function, setting clear priorities and ensuring an effective, customer‑focused service across the business.
• Own budgeting, forecasting and long‑range planning, delivering robust insight on performance, risks and opportunities.
• Provide accurate financial reporting across P&L, balance sheet, cash flow and working capital for informed decisions.
• Act as a trusted commercial partner to teams across Buying, Trade, B2C, Marketing, Operations, Technology and People.
• Lead investment appraisal and business case development, ensuring capital is allocated effectively.

Skills

Accounting

FP&A

Financial reporting

Cash management

Governance

Business partnering

Education

Accounting qualification

Job description

The opportunity

We're looking for an experienced Finance Director to join The Whisky Exchange on a six-month fixed-term contract. Reporting to the Managing Director and working closely with the Leadership Team, you'll provide the financial leadership, commercial insight and strategic challenge needed to support the next phase of growth.

Leading a team of 14 finance professionals, you'll balance strategic thinking with hands‑on delivery, ensuring robust financial control while helping the business make confident, data‑driven decisions. This is a highly visible role with influence across every part of the organisation, from Buying and Trade to Operations, Technology and People.

This role is hybrid with at least 3 days at our head office in Park Royal, London.

Your unique contribution

Your day to day responsibilities will include:

• Partnering with the Managing Director and Leadership Team to shape and deliver business strategy, financial plans and long‑term growth objectives
• Leading the Finance function, setting clear priorities and ensuring an effective, customer‑focused service across the business
• Owning the budgeting, forecasting and long‑range planning process, delivering robust insight on performance, risks and opportunities
• Providing accurate and meaningful financial reporting across P&L, balance sheet, cash flow and working capital, enabling informed decision‑making
• Acting as a trusted commercial partner to teams across Buying, Trade, B2C, Marketing, Operations, Technology and People, helping drive profitable growth
• Leading investment appraisal and business case development, ensuring capital is allocated effectively and opportunities are evaluated rigorously
• Developing clear financial and operational KPIs, strengthening reporting and creating a consistent, data‑driven view of performance
• Maintaining a strong control environment and ensuring compliance with statutory, regulatory, Group and IFRS reporting requirements
• Managing relationships with auditors, tax advisers, banking partners and Group Finance stakeholders
• Taking ownership of cash flow, liquidity, inventory and working capital performance, safeguarding the financial health of the business
• Driving ongoing improvements in finance systems, processes, reporting and automation to increase efficiency, control and insight
• Building and developing a high‑performing Finance team, while promoting financial capability, accountability and collaboration across the wider organisation

Your blend of talent

To be successful in this role, you'll bring:

• An accounting qualification with substantial post‑qualification experience in senior financial leadership roles
• Broad expertise across commercial finance, FP&A, financial control, reporting, cash management, governance and business partnering
• Experience operating in a complex, multi‑channel or consumer‑led organisation; retail, e‑commerce, wholesale, FMCG or premium/luxury experience is advantageous
• Proven ability to turn data into concise insight, influence senior stakeholders and support high‑quality commercial decisions
• Strong understanding of finance systems, data governance, reporting automation and process transformation
• Demonstrable experience of building capable teams, setting high standards and leading through change
• Excellent judgement, communication and stakeholder management, with the confidence to challenge constructively

Personal attributes:

• Strategic and commercial: Connects financial insight to customer, operational and growth priorities
• Clear and influential: Makes complex issues understandable and builds alignment around decisions
• Curious and analytical: Looks beyond the numbers to understand drivers, risks and opportunities
• Pragmatic and delivery‑focused: Balances pace, control and continuous improvement
• Collaborative and inclusive: Builds trust, develops others and works across organisational boundaries
• High integrity: Acts independently, protects the business and sets a strong ethical standard

Applications are to be received by Monday 2 November 2026, however we reserve the right to close the advertisement sooner.

About us

The Whisky Exchange is a world‑leading specialist online retailer for whisky and fine and rare spirits. We have three shops in central London, a range of flagship shows and events, and an award‑winning curated selection of Old & Rare, own‑label and exclusive whiskies and spirits. We have an on‑trade team supplying the best bars, restaurants, hotels and luxury retailers in the UK (The Whisky Exchange Trade), and a specialist auction platform (Whisky.Auction). Together as One Team we serve a global community of whisky drinkers, fuelled by an enthusiasm for discovering and collecting.

Being part of the Speciality Drinks Group, and the wider Pernod Ricard family, means you'll be working with some of the very best people in the drinks industry and part of a fantastic team that is passionate about everything they do.

The way we perform

At The Whisky Exchange, how we achieve results is just as important as what we achieve. We're looking for people who share our ways of working.

We collaborate. We deliver results efficiently. We grow diverse teams. We are consumer and customer centric. We foster a growth mindset. We drive engagement.

Benefits of joining The Whisky Exchange

Fun Stuff

Staff Discount at The Whisky Exchange | Tastings | Product Education | Access to Events | Cycle to Work Scheme | High Street Discounts

Serious Stuff

EAP | Great Parental Leave Policies | Life Cover | Private Medical Insurance | Enhanced Employer Pension Contribution

Feel Good Stuff

S&R Initiatives | Personal Day | Career Development | Employee Networks | Flexi Work | 25 Days Holiday (plus Bank Holidays)

We're committed to inclusion and diversity.

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and experiences.

Selection decisions are based on skills, experience and potential. If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know and we'll be happy to support you.