Financial Director

About Digital i Digital i was born from a desire to automate TV ratings provision and create imaginative solutions and reports that analyse all sides of the media landscape. In recent years the company has evolved from a leading UK provider of overnights, regular reports, and ad-hoc consultancy services to a global technology company with an international data visualisation software and an award-winning SVOD audience measurement system. For us, development, ideas, and creativity are valued alongside transparency, accountability, and team spirit. The entertainment industry is moving rapidly, which means that research must move with it. We aim to constantly innovate without ever comprising our high standards of data accuracy. In the past five years, our client list has grown rapidly to include global streaming companies, European broadcasters, and large production houses. Our SVOD audience data has been featured in The Guardian, El País, Bloomberg, BBC News and The Financial Times. Our SVOD analytics tool has won two MRG awards and a Mediatel Media Research award. Location: Bristol, Office-based 2 days per week Contract: Interim / Fixed-term Role overview We are seeking an experienced, hands-on Financial Director to join the business on an interim basis and hit the ground running. This role is focused on stabilising, validating, and strengthening the company’s financial position, controls, and reporting, before progressing into more strategic financial leadership. The successful candidate will take immediate ownership of core finance deliverables, ensure accuracy and compliance across financial records, and provide clear insight into the financial health of the business. This is a delivery-driven role requiring strong technical expertise, commercial awareness, and the confidence to identify issues and recommend solutions quickly. Key responsibilities Immediate priorities (first 6–8 weeks) Complete and sign off 2025 management accounts, ensuring: • All income and costs are accurately recorded in the Profit & Loss account • Income is recognised in the correct financial period • Prepare a fully reconciled 2025 Balance Sheet, supported by appropriate documentation and control accounts • Review and assess the R&D claim for the year • Complete January and February management accounts • Ensure all balance sheet accounts are fully reconciled and explained • Review debtor positions and ensure all customers with outstanding invoices are contacted Review and confirm the accuracy of: • Revenue recognition • Cost allocations • Accruals and prepayments Financial reporting & controls • Establish and agree a management reporting structure, including: • Actuals vs budget / forecast • Clear variance analysis with explanations for significant movements • Review existing financial controls and recommend improvements where required • Ensure consistency and accuracy across management accounts and reporting outputs Commercial & contract review • Review and develop a clear understanding of all customer and supplier contracts, including: • Contract periods • Revenue and cost recognition implications • Assess financial risks or exposures arising from contractual arrangements Insight & recommendations • Provide a clear report back to senior leadership at the end of the first month / six weeks, outlining: • Key financial risks and problem areas • Root causes of issues identified • Practical, prioritised recommendations on how these issues can be resolved • Advise leadership on immediate actions required to improve financial stability and governance Strategic progression Once the financial fundamentals of the business are fully understood and stabilised, the role will evolve to include: • Supporting longer-term financial planning and forecasting • Advising on commercial strategy and decision-making • Strengthening financial governance and scalability Skills & experience required • Proven experience operating at Financial Director or senior finance leadership level, ideally in an interim or turnaround capacity • Strong technical accounting knowledge, including management accounts, balance sheets, and control accounts • Experience reviewing and validating revenue recognition and period-end accuracy • Strong understanding of contracts and their financial implications • Confident communicator, able to challenge constructively and explain complex financial matters clearly • Highly hands-on, delivery-focused, and comfortable working at pace • Able to build credibility quickly with senior stakeholders Why join us? This role is ideal for a finance leader who enjoys fixing the basics, creating clarity from complexity, and delivering impact quickly. You will play a critical role in stabilising the business’s financial position and setting it up for stronger, more strategic financial management going forward.