Head of Finance - Music Publishing

Handle Recruitment; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Music Company based in London is seeking a Head of Finance to oversee its growing finance function. The role involves leading financial operations, presenting insights to senior figures, and ensuring compliance with all regulations. The ideal candidate must be a fully qualified accountant with experience in the music industry and a solid track record of adding commercial value. This is a hybrid position requiring weekly office attendance in central London.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of adding commercial value in the Music Industry.
• Experience in financial operations for a company size similar to a music label or publishing company.
• Hands-on approach with a strategic mindset.

Responsibilities

• Lead all financial operations including accounting and compliance.
• Present financial reports to the leadership team.
• Develop and execute financial strategy aligned with company goals.
• Mentor finance team and foster a high-performance culture.
• Negotiate financial and contractual deals involving music rights.
• Implement technology solutions for reporting and process automation.

Skills

Financial strategy development

Budgeting

Forecasting

Cash flow management

Regulatory compliance

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Technology implementation

Education

Fully qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA)

Job description

Handle's client, a leading Music Company are looking to recruit a Head of Finance to oversee the rapidly growing Finance function. The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing the accounting department in the UK.

As well as the general Financial Control, the role will also be heavily involved with commercially focused business tasks, decision making and strategic input, working very closely with the senior business figures and investors within the Group.

Coming from a Music Label or Publishing background the successful candidate will:

Core Responsibilities

• Lead all financial operations typical for a company our size: accounting, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, cash flow management, and compliance with regulatory and tax requirements.
• Present timely, accurate financial reports and business insights to the leadership team, with recommendations for performance improvement and risk mitigation.
• Manage tax, audit, and regulatory compliance, including filing of statutory accounts, financial statements, and ensuring best practice.
• Develop and execute financial strategy in alignment with company goals including catalogue valuations and acquisitions.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the finance team, fostering a high-performance culture and continuous improvement.
• Participate in negotiating financial and contractual deals involving music rights.
• Cultivate relationships with external stakeholders (auditors, investors, banks, music business partners).
• Implement technology solutions to streamline reporting, automate processes, and support data driven decision making.

This is a fantastic and value adding position working for a leading and cutting-edge Music Company. The successful candidate must be a fully qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) and have a proven track record of adding commercial value, working within the Music Industry, either within a Record Label or Music Publishing company. You will be forward thinking with a strategic mindset and have a hands‑on, get stuck in approach!

The position is hybrid position with a need to attend the central London office at least once a week.

Handle actively welcomes applicants from under-represented backgrounds - we pride ourselves on attracting the best talent for every opportunity through a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.