Job Description
Finance Manager - Joy Group
The Business
Joy Group is a leading independent live events and music company, combining event promotion, and music ventures under one dynamic brand. With a reputation for creativity and excellence, Joy Group delivers innovative live experiences, festivals, and artist-led events that shape the modern music landscape.
Joy Group is part of ATC Group plc, a diversified global music business encompassing artist management, live touring, merchandising, and music services. Being part of the ATC Group provides access to a broad network, deep industry expertise, and a collaborative platform that supports growth across multiple areas of the music and entertainment sectors.
As the business continues to expand its footprint across live music, festivals, and branded entertainment, we are seeking an experienced Finance Manager to strengthen financial control, enhance reporting, and support commercial decision-making across the Group.
The Team
Finance is central to Joy Group’s growth strategy, providing clear financial insight, driving accountability, and supporting leadership in planning and execution. The Finance Manager will join a small but high-performing team, working closely with the Group Financial Controller and senior management to ensure financial rigour and commercial support across all divisions, including Live Events, Artist Management, and Merchandise.
The Role
The Finance Manager plays a key role in maintaining robust financial processes, ensuring accuracy in reporting, and providing commercial insight across the Group. The position requires a balance between hands-on accounting and strategic business partnering, with a focus on efficiency, control, and supporting operational teams to make informed decisions.
Key Responsibilities:
* Maintain accurate, well-structured accounting systems and records across all business entities.
* Prepare timely monthly management accounts and consolidated financial reports.
* Deliver accurate and forward-looking cashflow forecasts, integrating data from live events, and artist activities.
* Monitor liquidity, working capital, and cashflow performance, highlighting risks and opportunities.
* Partner with senior management and event teams to support commercial decisions, event planning, and investment appraisals.
* Manage the year-end and audit process, including preparation of statutory financial statements under IFRS.
* Oversee VAT, corporation tax, and other compliance filings, liaising with external advisors as required.
* Drive improvements in financial systems, controls, and reporting tools to support growth and efficiency.
* Responsible for budgeting and forecasting, including variance analysis and commentary.
* Maintaining budgets whilst reviewing and challenging event profitability, artist settlements, and project performance to ensure commercial viability.
* Manage supplier payments, artist and agent settlements, and ensure strong financial controls across all activities.
Knowledge and Experience
Essential experience:
* Proven experience in a finance management or senior accounting role, ideally within music, live events, or entertainment industries.
* Strong technical understanding of financial reporting, cashflow forecasting, and control processes.
* Demonstrated experience in producing accurate, forward-looking cashflows and providing commercial insight to senior leadership.
* Experience preparing and reviewing statutory accounts and managing audit relationships.
* Strong Excel and accounting system skills; familiarity with cloud-based systems (e.g. Quickbooks, NetSuite, Sage Intacct, Lucanet, or equivalent).
* Experience working with multiple entities or group consolidations.
* Ability to manage tight deadlines and multiple projects in a fast-paced creative environment.
Desirable experience:
* Experience in music-related financial processes such as ticketing settlements, artist statements, and event reconciliations.
* Understanding of music rights, royalties, and revenue recognition principles.
* Exposure to international VAT, tax, and foreign currency transactions.
* Previous involvement in financial systems integration or process improvement projects.
Skills and Personal Attributes
* Highly organised, analytical, and detail-oriented.
* Commercially minded with an ability to translate financial data into actionable insights.
* Effective business partner, able to engage confidently with both finance and creative teams.
* Hands-on, proactive, and adaptable to the fast-moving nature of live events.
* Comfortable operating across strategic and operational levels.
* Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
* Professional, discreet, and committed to maintaining the highest ethical standards.
Qualifications
* Fully or part-qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA) preferred, or equivalent experience.
* Strong technical accounting and cashflow forecasting skills.
* Experience gained in both SME and larger corporate environments beneficial.
Reporting Lines
The Finance Manager reports to the CEO of Joy Group and the Group Financial Controller and works closely with the CFO, COO, as well as cross-functionally with artist management, production, and commercial teams.
Rewards, Benefits, and Working Practices
* Competitive salary and benefits package.
* Hybrid working (minimum four days per week in the Brighton office).
* 25 days annual leave plus public holidays.
* Contributory Pension scheme.
* Access to tickets for live events, festivals, and music experiences.
* Supportive, creative working environment with opportunities for professional growth.