Finance Director

Sifted is looking for a Finance Director to join our dynamic team and drive our next stage of growth.

This pivotal role offers the opportunity to shape the financial strategy of a high-growth media business. As Finance Director, you will play a key role in scaling our operations and supporting strategic decision-making, working closely with the CEO, senior management, and the Board. You will oversee a high-performing finance function, delivering actionable insights that drive operational excellence and support Sifted's ambition to become the stand-out leader in B2B news, intelligence, and events. The role reports directly to the CEO and provides an exciting opportunity to shape Sifted's future as we scale to new heights.

About Sifted

Sifted is an award-winning media publication backed by the Financial Times, reporting on the world of technology and startups in Europe. Six years after launching, our high-quality journalism is a must-read for founders, operators, and investors across European tech.

We're friendly, hard-working, and passionate about what we do. We collaborate across disciplines, value feedback, and pride ourselves on clear communication. Sifted is scaling rapidly, and this role will be instrumental in supporting our journey.

_
What you will be doing _

• Establish and maintain efficient financial processes, systems, and teams to ensure timely (month-end close within 4 days), accurate, and compliant reporting.
• Coordinate annual budgeting and re-forecasting.
• Accurate cashflow forecasting (12 week rolling and longer term) and treasury management.
• Proactively analyse and improve key business areas by challenging cost bases and seeking improvements on net margin of all three revenue streams (Media advertising, B2B Subscriptions and Physical Events).
• Optimise financial systems to ensure robustness, compliance, and scalability for growth. Maintain timely, accurate KPIs and reporting processes that provide actionable insights, including preparation of the monthly board pack.
• Collaborate closely with senior management, owners, and external stakeholders, including banks, to build credibility, foster strong relationships, and secure appropriate financial facilities for growth.
• Contribute to the development of company strategy, challenging assumptions and decision making as appropriate, providing financial analysis and guidance on activities, targets and business drivers.
• Ensure full compliance in all areas of data (GDPR), finance and taxation. Establish and manage company policies regarding risk management and working capital management as appropriate.
• Oversee the legal/contracting process, engaging external assistance as required. This will involve significant input into pricing and contract negotiations with customers and suppliers.
• In due course, support the financial aspects of a sale process, including involvement in the preparation of sale materials and presentations to potential buyers.
• Corporate governance and Company Secretarial duties, including compliance on Company Option schemes and maintenance of the share cap table.

_
What are we looking for?_

We believe the ideal candidate for the Finance Director role will have most, or all, of the following experience and skills:

• A recognised finance and accounting qualification (e.g., ACA, ACCA, CIMA), along with up-to-date technical skills and ongoing professional development (CPD).
• Prior experience as a senior finance manager with a track record of creating value for shareholders in a business of similar scale or complexity to Sifted. Candidates stepping up into an FD role for the first time are welcome to apply.
• Demonstrated experience in driving financial process improvements within complex, international, and cost-conscious environments.
• Strong capabilities in financial modelling and data analysis, with a focus on actionable insights.
• Extensive experience in implementing, improving, and optimising management information systems to enhance board-level decision-making. Ability to simplify complex business data into tools that foster transparency and accountability.
• Success in smaller, growing business environments, including scaling processes and driving operational improvements.
• A history of identifying and implementing cost reduction and efficiency measures across an organisation.
• Ideally, experience in an investor-backed business with a strong understanding of the private equity mindset, focusing on cash, EBITDA, cost management, leverage, and exit planning.

Is this the right job for you?

We think you'll be an excellent fit for this role if you demonstrate the following qualities:

• Pace: You're an action-oriented, hands-on leader who thrives in dynamic environments. You can make a significant impact outside of a large corporate structure by balancing decisiveness with diligence, and you excel at making well-considered decisions under time pressure.
• Rigour: You have a strongly analytical mindset and meticulous attention to detail, combined with a relentless drive to achieve the best possible outcomes.
• Entrepreneurial spirit: Pragmatic and innovative, you are open to new ideas and constantly seek ways to improve yourself, your team, and the business. You're comfortable in smaller, leaner settings and are proactive, capable of anticipating challenges and exploring new opportunities.
• Trustworthiness: You have unwavering personal and professional integrity, earning the confidence of your colleagues and stakeholders.
• Hard-working: Resilient, driven, and determined, you bring energy and a "roll up your sleeves" attitude to your work.
• Communication excellence: You excel at building buy-in across all levels of the business, combining charisma, credibility, and gravitas. You're confident and effective in board meetings and high-stakes discussions.
• Strategic mindset: Highly intelligent and perceptive, you can assess, prioritise, and interpret business performance to develop clear, actionable plans tailored to each area of the organisation.

What We Offer

• A hybrid work environment, with at least two days per week in our Central London office.
• A competitive salary, scaled based on experience, alongside options/equity incentives.
• 28 days of annual leave, plus UK public holidays.

Sifted is an equal opportunity employer. It celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all its staff.

At Sifted, we strive to ensure our hiring process is accessible and inclusive for everyone. If you require any adjustments or accommodations to support you during the interview process-such as changes to the format, environment, or timing-please let us know. We are happy to work with you to ensure you can perform at your best.

If you do have any specific needs, please let us know by contacting Laura Balboni at . All information will be handled with care and confidentiality.

Interested in this job?

Let the hiring team at Sifted contact you! Click I'm interested and enter your Linkedin profile and preferred contact information.

Postal Address 44 Catherine Place
London, England
SW1E 6HL

Your growth is our mission.

This site is owned and operated by ScaleUp Capital Limited, a limited company incorporated in England under number , authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Firm reference number - 945651. ScaleUp Capital, Scaler and Scaler HQ are trademarks and trading names of ScaleUp Capital Limited.