Director of Financial Operations and Control

Location: Cambridge, UK (Hybrid with minimum 2 days per week in the office).

We are seeking a highly skilled Financial Controller to lead the financial operations of our gaming organisation. This role will be responsible for ensuring financial integrity, compliance and operational efficiency while driving strategic financial planning to support the company’s growth in the dynamic gaming industry.

The successful candidate will establish and maintain simple, pragmatic controls for all business areas, fostering a financial environment that balances agility with robust governance. They will champion automation, process simplification and continuous improvement, enhancing efficiency and scalability. Additionally, they will create a culture which respects and understands the need for the protection and growth of company assets, aligning financial operations with best-in-class industry standards.

What you'll be doing:

Team leadership and collaboration

• Member of the Senior Leadership Team with specific responsibility for setting and driving the business culture of enhanced respect and consideration for financial process and control.
• Driving change across the organisation on business controls and financial processes to ensure appropriate, pragmatic governance, commercial awareness and risk assessment
• Prepare and present board materials to appropriate sub-committees (Risk / Audit etc)
• Manage, develop and coach a team of 3 direct reports (9 including indirect reports)
• Prepare and deliver training to finance and the wider organisation to increase commercial and financial risk awareness

 Financial performance and analysis

• Oversee the monthly management accounts process ensuring they are produced accurately and on time, including review by the Finance Leadership Team, Executive and Board.
• Prepare the summary for the monthly board pack prior to CFO review and liaise with the Head of Financial Planning and Analysis on all required reporting for the Executive Team and the Board
• Streamline financial processes to enhance efficiency and timeliness, enabling greater focus on value-add analytical activities

Controls and compliance

• Ensure appropriate financial controls are in place and regularly monitored and that financial reports (P&L statement, balance sheet and cashflow) are understood, reviewed regularly, and controlled to prevent fraud and financial mismanagement
• Enhance and continually review financial controls and processes to ensure they are appropriate to the operational needs of the organisation and aligned with the business strategy
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and accounting standards

 Risk Management and Statutory Reporting

• Identify and mitigate financial risks and ensure adherence to corporate governance policies
• Lead the completion of external audit and tax deliverables, ensuring timely sign off to facilitate interim and final audits in line with the external reporting timetable.
• Ensure ongoing tax compliance including VAT returns and PAYE, while fully documenting and understanding any specific tax-related production issues.
• Collaborate with the Head of Financial Planning and Analysis to ensure that all statutory reporting requirements are easily accessible within the finance functions.

Systems

• Ensure Sage 200 and SAP Concur systems are kept up to date with an appropriate upgrade schedule.
• Review and assess the system for suitability for the organisation as it grows and ensure systems in use support the business strategy.

Sub-function Management

Payroll and employee costs

• Ensure there is adequate review, control and reporting of payroll costs (including benefits and bonuses), travel and expenses across the business. Align headcount categorisation and reconcile to the HR employee systems.
• Finance owner for the Management Incentive Plan and related IFRS 2 workstreams, ensuring that all supporting information is made available for external audit and grant valuations are monitored closely.

Accounts payable

• Responsible for management and maintenance of the organisational control matrix
• Ensure supplier management is maximised for organisational efficiency and control.
• Ensure purchase requisitioning process runs in a controlled and effective manner across the business.
• Maximise the businesses creditors days.

Accounts receivable

• Owner of the relationship with Payment Service Providers (PSP) within the Finance Team.
• Ensure revenue reporting is accurate and in line with best practice.
• Ensure invoicing process runs in a controlled and effective manner across the business

Treasury and banking

• Owner of the administration relationship with key banks.
• Develop and manage the historic cashflow reporting for board and lead the process to ensure that the collation of the information for bank covenant reporting is efficient and effective.

Tax

• Lead the tax function (currently a tax manager and ad hoc assistance as required) and ensure compliance with global tax regulations, optimised tax strategy and insights into opportunities aligned with the business goals.
• Ensure timely filing of federal, state, local and international tax returns, including income tax, sales tax, VAT and tax/expenditure credit submissions.
• Implement transfer pricing policies and ensure compliance with international tax standards.
• Ensure tax audits are efficient and documentation in support of inquiries from tax authorities is submitted on a timely basis.   

What we're looking for:

• Qualified Accountant with 5-10 years post qualification experience
• Experience of building strong controls in a rapidly growing and/or a fast-moving commercial environment
• Experience of attending and presenting recommendations for business change to executive teams and the Board.
• Understanding of best practice in the context of business processes and controls and familiarity with the use of risk and control matrices and similar process documentation.
• Strong influencing, collaboration and communication skills at all levels characterised by a diplomatic and consultative approach; able to demonstrate humility and robust leadership in equal measure as required.
• Proactive and self-motivated with the genuine drive and commitment to improve the effectiveness of reporting processes and business control processes.
• Ability to use initiative, anticipate issues and proactively develop systems and processes to mitigate risk.

Ideal candidate will have:

• Experience of working in both a public company environment and a high growth entrepreneurial environment.
• Experience implementing new reporting tools and ERP and tax systems

What we offer:

When you join Jagex you can look forward to a generous Perks & Benefits package including: 

• Private Healthcare, including Dental Plan. 

• Minimum 6% Pension contributions 

• Employee Assistance Programme 

• Life Insurance 

• Discretionary annual performance bonus 

• Enhanced family leave policies  

• Flexible working hours 

• 25 days annual leave + Bank holidays & the option to buy/sell holidays 

•  + so much more! 

About Jagex:

Jagex is a leader in developing and publishing deep, engaging online games that connect millions of players worldwide. Best known for the RuneScape franchise, which includes two of the world’s longest running and most successful MMORPGs, in Old School Runescape and Runescape, and the open-world survival crafting game, Runescape: Dragonwilds; we have proven success in delivering immersive Forever Games and fostering strong player communities.  

We strive to foster an inclusive workplace built on trust, autonomy, and a shared passion for creating forever games. 
Our values guide everything we do: We Embrace Fellowship by collaborating and sharing openly. We Hone our Craft by always learning and improving; we Honour our Vows by being honest and transparent; we are our Customers’ Heroes by striving to understand our team & player needs, and we Seize The Day by making the most of every opportunity. 

With over two decades of experience, and over 400 people in our team, we continue to innovate in live game development, leveraging data-driven insights, and a commitment to player-first game design. We have a diverse and talented team where creativity, collaboration, and community-driven game development drives everything we do.  

As part of Jagex, you’ll have the opportunity to work on a globally successful franchise, contribute to exciting new projects, and be part of a company that hugely values both our employees and our players.