THE COMPANY
Pitlochry Festival Theatre is a nationally significant production theatre and one of Scotland’s leading cultural organisations, operating year-round from its base in Highland Perthshire. Since its founding in 1951, the organisation has built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality productions, attracting audiences from across the UK and internationally.
The theatre is entering a critical phase of evolution, with a renewed leadership team and a clear mandate to raise its national and international profile, strengthen commercial performance and improve operational discipline. The recent appointments of internationally acclaimed Scottish actor, writer and director Alan Cumming as Artistic Director, alongside an experienced Chief Executive, signal both ambition and intent to elevate the theatre’s profile, broaden its reach and scale its impact.
With strong audience engagement, a distinctive brand and public funding underpinning its model, the organisation now requires a new Finance Manager to work alongside the Head of Finance and existing finance team. This creates a high-impact opportunity for a finance leader to influence direction, drive improvement and deliver measurable change.
THE ROLE
The post holder will be responsible for:
- Take full accountability for the performance and output of the finance function
- Deliver accurate, timely and decision-focused management information to SLT and Board
- Lead budgeting, forecasting and cash flow management to improve financial visibility and control
- Strengthen governance, internal controls and risk management practices
- Rebuild confidence in financial processes, reporting and decision-making frameworks
- Drive immediate process improvements, prioritising impact and efficiency
- Provide clear financial insight to support commercial and programming decisions
- Lead financial planning and modelling for capital projects and funding initiatives
- Manage audit, statutory reporting and regulatory compliance requirements
- Build, lead and develop a capable, accountable finance team
- Act as a credible and independent voice, challenging assumptions and driving accountability
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
- Professionally qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent)
- Proven track record in a senior finance leadership role with full functional accountability
- Demonstrable experience improving financial controls, reporting and processes
- Strong commercial acumen and ability to influence operational decision-making
- Experience delivering results in complex, changing or underdeveloped environments
- Ability to operate effectively at both strategic and hands-on levels
DESIRABLE
- Experience within charity, arts or publicly funded organisations
- Knowledge of Charity SORP, Theatre Tax Relief and grant funding frameworks
- Experience supporting capital investment, business cases or funding applications
- Exposure to organisational change, turnaround or restructuring environments
- Experience developing finance teams and improving capability
