Finance Director

Founded in 1874, and now fan-owned (Foundation of Hearts), Heart of Midlothian Football Club (Hearts) is one of Scotland’s oldest and most prestigious football clubs, based in the capital city of Edinburgh. Playing in the Scottish Premiership, the club has a rich history of success, including a number of recent major honours and participation in European competition. Hearts pride themselves on their commitment to sporting excellence, community engagement, and fostering talent, both on and off the pitch. 

The club is not just about football – Hearts is deeply rooted in the local community through initiatives like Big Hearts, a charitable arm focused on supporting families and individuals facing challenges across Edinburgh. Our fanbase, known for their passion and loyalty, are the lifeblood of the club, and we strive to uphold a culture of inclusivity, integrity, and ambition. 

In addition to football operations, the club has recently built and operates a 25-room hotel and boasts an impressive, growing hospitality business. 

Due to the upcoming retirement of our current Finance Director after a successful 10-year tenure, we are seeking to appoint a highly experienced Finance Director to be part of this growth journey, ensuring the club’s financial sustainability and future success. 

The Finance Director will be responsible for driving the financial strategy and ensuring robust financial management to support both the day-to-day business operations and long-term ambitions of the club. Reporting directly to the CEO and working closely with the Board of Directors, you will be a key member of the leadership team. You will take ownership of financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting, ensuring the club operates efficiently and within governance frameworks set by football authorities. 

This role is critical in managing financial risks while identifying new opportunities for sustainable growth in line with our strategic goals. You will be instrumental in helping Heart of Midlothian FC navigate the complex financial environment of modern football, with a focus on maintaining the highest standards of transparency and compliance. 

• Strategic Financial Leadership: Provide clear, strategic financial direction to the CEO and Board, aligning financial plans with the club’s overall vision and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the club.
• Budgeting & Financial Planning: Lead the development of annual budgets, multi-year financial plans, and scenario analyses. Regularly review and update financial models to support decision-making, adjusting to the dynamic nature of the football industry.
• Financial Reporting & Analysis: Oversee the timely and accurate production of monthly management accounts, statutory financial statements, and financial analysis. Present financial performance to the Board and other stakeholders.
• Cash Flow & Investment Management: Manage the club’s cash flow, ensuring efficient use of funds while maintaining adequate reserves for future investment in infrastructure, talent acquisition, and community projects.
• Compliance & Governance: Ensure full compliance with all financial regulations, including SPFL, SFA, UEFA, and HMRC requirements. Lead the club’s risk management strategy, identifying and mitigating financial risks while ensuring sound governance.
• Commercial Finance & Partnerships: Support commercial teams in negotiating sponsorships, partnerships, and revenue-generating initiatives. Ensure robust financial analysis of all new commercial ventures and strategic partnerships.
• Operational Efficiency: Work with department heads to identify opportunities for cost savings, operational improvements, and better use of resources while maintaining high standards of service delivery.
• Leadership & Team Development: Lead, mentor, and develop the finance team to build a high-performance culture. Foster an environment of continuous learning, process improvement, and professional development within the finance department.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Manage relationships with key stakeholders including auditors, financial institutions, investors, and football governing bodies. Act as the primary financial liaison with external partners to ensure alignment with the club’s financial goals. 

We are seeking to appoint an experienced finance leader who has experience ideally within a relevant industry, which may include consumer industries such as retail, leisure / hospitality alternative industries such as facilities, capital development, infrastructure or related. 

The successful candidate will have most of the following: 

• Experience: A proven track record in a senior finance role within a complex organization is required. Experience in the sports, entertainment, or hospitality sectors is highly desirable, though not essential.
• Professional Qualifications: ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent financial qualification is essential.
• Leadership Ability: Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to influence key decision-makers and lead cross-functional teams.
• Commercial Acumen: Experience managing commercial finance operations, particularly in driving revenue growth and maximizing profitability.
• Financial Expertise: Expertise in budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, cash flow management, and risk assessment. 
• Communication Skills: Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to explain complex financial concepts to non-financial stakeholders, including board members and senior executives. 
• Passion for Football: An understanding of the unique financial landscape of football clubs, including transfer markets, player wages, sponsorship, and matchday revenue, is an advantage. 
• Commitment to Values: Alignment with Hearts’ values of integrity, inclusivity, and community engagement is essential. You should share a passion for the role football can play in bringing positive change to the community. 

At Hearts, you will not just be part of a football club but an institution with deep connections to the city of Edinburgh and beyond. The role of Finance Director offers a unique opportunity to shape the financial future of a club with a proud history and an ambitious vision for the future. You will work closely with a committed leadership team in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, making a lasting impact on the future of the club and its community.