Head of Finance

The Path Entertainment Group; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Path Entertainment Group seeks an accomplished Head of Finance to lead financial control across the group and partner with the Senior Management Team. The role combines hands-on accounting with strategic modelling for growth, budgeting, tax, payroll and audits.

Based at our London HQ, you will oversee group reporting, manage the finance team, drive cash flow planning, and ensure regulatory compliance while supporting international expansion and partnerships with investors and licensing teams.

Qualifications

• Experience leading finance for fast-growing SMEs.
• Familiarity with entertainment/theatre/hospitality sectors.
• Strong understanding of cash flow, budgeting and forecasting.
• Ability to develop and present financial models to executives.

Responsibilities

• Oversee central transactional processing and financial controls.
• Prepare monthly group accounts and budgets; manage statutory accounts and audits.
• Lead UK payroll and payroll reporting; ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Coordinate tax and regulatory reporting; liaise with HMRC and auditors.
• Partner with licensing and business teams on financial implications of deals.
• Develop and refine financial models to support strategy and growth.
• Manage and develop the finance team (MAcc and AMA).
• Provide clear monthly/quarterly financial reporting to Directors and investors.

Skills

Financial leadership

Strategic planning

Cash flow management

Budgeting & forecasting

Financial reporting

Payroll & compliance

Job description

Monopoly Lifised the debut attraction of the Path Entertainment Group opened in London in 2021, and has since opened in Riyadh, the US and Mexico. SAW opened in 2022 with Lionsgate followed by the Paddington Bear experience opening in May 2024, at a major landmark site, located opposite London's Big Ben.

The Path Entertainment Group is dedicated to creating world-class experiences. We combine first class live experience makers with world class renowned brands and IP to create dynamic and enthralling location-based entertainment.

The Path Entertainment Group has a strong desire to disrupt and develop a diverse and strong audience base for popular culture led experiences. We are a company of people with rich skills in producing, content development, venue management and design.

Our Live Stage Production arm, Showpath pushes the boundaries of exceptional productions in order to reach a global audience. Productions include Dungeons and Dragons, Twenty Sided Tavern, in the Sydney Opera House plus a major US Tour, Come Alive Australia tour and Dirty Dancing US Tour.

UK made – internationally focused, with major rollout planned for the US and other markets. Our key ingredient is play. We fuse competitive socialising concepts with theatricality and globally recognised brands in major city markets across the globe.

Overview

This is a pivotal role in developing the business as it grows with its expanding portfolio of new productions and international opportunities and managing financial control across the Group.

The Head of Finance needs to be able to work independently and have experience with fast-growing SME’s. Initiative, flexibility and a willingness to take full responsibility are prerequisites for all team members, but especially for leadership roles such as this. This is a hands-on, autonomous position, and the senior finance team member in the business. As such it would suit candidates who have previously managed small but busy finance departments. Familiarity with the entertainment, theatre, media or hospitality sectors is essential.

Whilst the role is predominately focused on Head office functions and reporting for all Group companies, it also covers strategic modelling and financial support for the wider business across The Path Entertainment Group as a whole.

This is an extremely exciting role for an experienced Finance lead to join the company and be a key part of its future growth and achievement. Working in partnership with the Senior Management Team, they will be empowered to significantly contribute to further personal and company success.

Building strong relationships of leadership internally and externally by ensuring our core values; Pioneers, Act, Trust, Hunger, Excellence, Nimble, Talent and Smart have visibility within the business.

Key Responsibilities

The Head of Finance will be responsible for the accuracy of the central transactional processing,

implementing the appropriate financial controls of the business, third party compliance and the reporting functions within The Path Entertainment Group. Including but not limited to Group management accounts, annual statutory account preparation for all entities, VAT returns, tax returns, cash flow, investor statements and all UK Payroll reporting.

This role reports into the Director of Commercial Operations and currently has a Management Accountant (responsible for UK site management accounts) and an Assistant Management Accountant, (responsible for AP / AR for all entities) reporting to it.

Role Description

Finance

• Clearly communicate weekly and monthly project level cash flow positions highlighting potential pressure points or surplus opportunities to inform strategic business planning.
• Proactively flag financial risks and opportunities, or environmental changes such as government, taxation or indicatives to continue to allow Path to be efficient and strive for success.
• Maintain the rolling cash forecast, prepare weekly cash updates and effectively manage liquidity in the business.
• Manage the work and development of the Management Accountant and Assistant Management Accountant to ensure accurate accounting, team motivation and resource planning.
• Own accounting and bookkeeping systems and procedures developing and improving finance processes as the business continues to grow and change.
• Prepare monthly accounts for Group companies and review accounts prepared by the Finance team.
• Work with the relevant Group budget holders to understand and complete forecasts and budgets.
• Act as business partner to the licensing team and ensure finance is on top of all new and existing deals, and their financial consequences for the business.
• Responsible for all tax reporting under the Group entities.
• Own the relationship with external accountants and manage the annual audit process.
• Contribute financial information to business plans and proposals.
• Manage relationships and negotiations with the bank.
• Work with our producers on establishing and managing royalties, pools, recoupments, investments and distributions.
• Overall responsibility for payroll.
• Build strong relationships with UK HR and payroll providers to ensure payroll reporting is completed accurately.
• Communicate with stakeholders on finance and business development matters.
• Provide commercial awareness of activities within the arts and entertainment sector, support and develop new financial models.

Reporting and Governance

• Provide monthly reporting on production accounts, including profit and loss as well as project income, and ensure Directors are appraised accordingly.
• Prepare updates on Financial Quarters for Board Members and circulate in a timely manner.
• Present financial reporting in a format that is engaging, accessible and relevant for a wide range of audiences, from internal Ops and creative teams to board level investors and stakeholders.
• Attend meetings to lead on financial matters.
• Prepare Risk Assessments on key quarterly finance results and affect change accordingly.
• Provide financial reports for investors.
• Work with the CEO (or person of delegated authority) to proactively mitigate financial and legal risks to the company.
• Work with the CEO (or person of delegated authority) to analyse and develop narrative around business growth, trajectory and market share as part of regular reporting to Directors.
• Liaise with HMRC as and when needed.
• Ensure all financial activity is in material compliance with all legislation, regulations, and ThePath Entertainment Group’spolicies.
• Work with the Operations, HR and department heads to maintain and develop policies and procedures that encompass finance and accounting, such as expenses, procurement, GDPR, and ensure staff are fully appraised of their responsibilities in adhering to them.
• Provide monthly reporting on Group and Consolidated accounts, including profit and loss as well as project income, and ensure the relevant stakeholders are appraised accordingly.
• Ensure all financial activity is in material compliance with all legislation, regulations, and The Path Entertainment Group’spolicies.

General

• To attend Company events, previews, press nights and performances as required.
• To be an enthusiastic advocate of The Path Entertainment Group and present the company at production events and conferences, nationally and internationally.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key suppliers, investors and stakeholders.
• Be willing to undertake necessary training or development.

The Path Entertainment Group is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is treated with respect and given equal opportunities, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, pregnancy, maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.