Finance & Operations Director
As a creative arts business the quality of the financial planning is essential to growth and expansion of the network. We are looking for an exceptional Finance & Operations Director to join our leadership team and play a pivotal role in shaping our next chapter. To support our continued growth, we are seeking a forward-thinking leader who can bring strategic financial expertise, operational excellence and a passion for driving meaningful business transformation.
The Role
Reporting to the Managing Director, the Finance & Operations Director will provide strategic leadership across finance and business operations, including commercial property management, IT infrastructure, procurement and regulatory compliance. Combining strong financial management expertise with a hands-on approach to operational leadership, you will drive business performance, improve operational efficiency, strengthen financial controls and identify opportunities for sustainable growth and new revenue streams.
Key responsibilities will include:
Financial Leadership: Lead strategic financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, reporting and financial governance, providing clear commercial insight to the Directors.
Operational Excellence: Drive continuous improvement, based on evidence or financial evaluation, across our 60 studios and central functions, streamlining processes, and improving efficiency & productivity.
Business Transformation: Lead strategic projects, including the implementation of an in-house booking system, AI and automation to modernise workflows, systems and business processes.
Commercial Growth: Identify opportunities to diversify revenue streams, maximise existing assets and support the company's ambitious growth plans.
Governance & Risk: Oversee compliance, safeguarding, business continuity and organisational risk, ensuring robust processes and accountability.
Estates & Infrastructure: Provide strategic oversight of where to expand commercial propertythe company including, facilities, procurement and digital systems.
Leadership & Development: Lead and develop central support functions, building a high-performing team and embedding a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
About You
We are looking for an accomplished senior leader who combines strong financial expertise and a track record of automating spreadsheets with the commercial instinct and operational capability to make a meaningful difference.
You will bring:
A professionally recognised accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
Significant senior leadership experience within a multi-site, commercially focused organisation (multi-site experience is preferential).
A proven track record in guiding a financial strategy, budgeting, forecasting and financial governance to achieve the business goals.
Demonstrable success leading organisational transformation, process improvement and business change.
Strong commercial judgement, analytical capability and confidence in advising and influencing senior stakeholders.
An innovative mindset, with an interest and proven experience realistically in leveraging technology and AI to improve business performance.
Above all, you will be a forward-thinking, agile leader who thrives in a growing business, embraces challenge and knows how to turn strategic ambition into measurable results.
What We Offer
Salary: Up to £100k per annum
Generous Annual Leave: Additional holiday entitlement for every year of service, up to 5 extra days.
Private Medical Insurance: Access to Vitality healthcare, GP consultations and wellbeing benefits.
Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 confidential support through Bupa, including mental health and counselling services.
Wellbeing Allowance: Monthly Heka allowance.
Exclusive Discounts: Access to Blue Light Card savings, Lucy & Yak workwear discounts and reduced prices on art-K classes and workshops for family members.
Art-Funded Socials: Company-funded opportunities to enjoy exhibitions, galleries and creative experiences with colleagues.
Why Join art-K?
This is an opportunity to join a small but growing business with a proven business model with an n exciting growth trajectory and make a lasting contribution to its future. You will have genuine influence over strategic direction in-line with business goals, the opportunity to shape organisational capability and the autonomy to introduce meaningful improvements across the business.
If you are a commercially- driven finance and operations leader ready to help shape the next chapter of an ambitious and growing business, we would love to hear from you.
- Department
- Central Team
- Location
- art-K Central Office
About art-K
art-K was founded in 2000, to create a safe space where children can feel comfortable to explore their artistic skills. The art-K programme was created with a deep understanding of child development, child engagement, visual skills and artistic techniques, allowing the art-K teachers to create the safe environment by personalised the programme to children's individual needs.
Since deciding to expand art-K in 2016, art-K has grown to 60+ clubs, teaches 8500+ students per week (of which 1000 of our students are now adults), and employs over 100 permanent art teachers and 100s of art assistants.
Our goal is to ensure that every child or adult passionate about art has the opportunity to be a part of an art-K club in their local area. We’re looking to build a community of individuals who share a common passion and enthusiasm for creating art.