Finance Director, Walton upon Thames

Job Advert

Job title: Finance Director – Racecourses

Based at: Sandown Park Racecourse.

Contract type: 6 months fixed term.

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

About the role

We have a fantastic senior leadership opportunity for a Finance Director to manage and direct all aspects of financial reporting, forecasting & analysis for the racecourses and pro-actively lead the Business Partner & Management accounting team to drive improved performance for the delivery of the group’s objectives.

About The Jockey Club

The Jockey Club stages thrilling sporting occasions and live events nationwide including The Grand National, The Cheltenham Festival & The Derby. Owning & operating 15 courses, millions of people every year enjoy the special experiences we offer through racing, music, food and entertainment on racedays and beyond.

As the largest commercial group in British racing, we are guided by our mission to act for the long term good of the sport. Every penny we make goes back into racing to promote excellence within Britain’s second biggest spectator sport. Our people are what makes this possible

At The Jockey Club people are at the heart of what we do and drive our success. We are inclusive and actively seek to attract people with unique backgrounds and perspectives. Diverse, collaborative teams are pivotal to our success and support the potential and growth of all our people.

The Finance Director – Racecourses will

• Lead and motivate the Finance team to deliver accurate, timely management reporting, forecasts, budgets, and KPI analysis.
• Partner with Racecourse General Managers to monitor raceday sales and drive revenue growth through data-driven insights.
• Provide actionable business performance insight, including ROI analysis on marketing spend and optimisation of sales channels.
• Ensure robust financial controls, balance sheet integrity, and adherence to all processes and expenditure authorisations.
• Prepare detailed annual budgets, tax and audit packs, and support Group consolidation requirements.
• Represent the racecourses publicly, including at race meetings and key events, and present performance confidently up to Board level.
• Drive standardisation and best practice across management reporting, forecasting, and financial processes.
• Develop talent within the Finance team, setting clear goals and building collaborative, high-performing relationships across the business.

About you

• ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified with extensive post-qualification experience and strong technical accounting expertise.
• Deep understanding of financial processes, procedures, and best practice, including relevant HMRC legislation.
• Strong commercial finance background with the ability to influence decision-making at Management Team and Board level.
• Well-rounded technical skills combined with excellent business insight.
• Proven ability to manage and motivate high-performing teams to deliver consistent results.
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills, able to work across a complex, diverse business and multiple revenue streams.
• Collaborative team player who can drive agendas and build positive working relationships at all levels.
• Confident and credible in presenting financial insights to support commercial outcomes.

What we offer in return

• All colleagues can go along to any of our race day or music events free of charge – along with 3 friends or family with our TeamPass Ticket scheme.
• An award-winning pension scheme provider with a generous employer contribution
• A healthcare cash back plan enabling you to claim money back on health & wellbeing services.
• 25 days annual leave
• Access to a suite of Learning & Development training resources from renowned providers
• A whole host of other benefits including free eyecare vouchers, a ride to work cycle scheme & discounts across varying retailers & services.

If you think you have everything we’re looking for and more, then we’d love to hear from you. Don’t hang around, our closing date for this vacancy is 16th February but we reserve the right to bring this forward if we have many applications.

This role may be subject to a criminal record check, standard or enhanced DBS check or BHA Suitability Check. By applying you confirm that you are happy for these checks to be carried out.