Finance Manager (Rights)

We are thrilled to announce an opening for an experienced Finance Manager to join our dedicated Rights Revenue team at our office in Frating, Essex. At Penguin Random House, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment, and we are looking for a dynamic individual to help us continue our mission of delivering exceptional literary content to readers worldwide.

In this key role, you will be responsible for overseeing the financial operations within the Rights Revenue team, ensuring that royalty sales information and income from our Rights Customers are accurately processed and reflected in our accounting system. As well as the welfare and development of their team members, the Manager is accountable for all tasks performed in the Rights Revenue area ensuring that they are carried out accurately and efficiently to meet targets and deadlines.

You will be joining a passionate and skilled team of 14 members, including 11 Administrators, 2 Team Leaders, and an Audit Analyst. The Rights Revenue team plays a crucial role within the Royalty Department by processing royalty sales information and income, and ensuring compliance with financial clauses in contracts. Our team values collaboration, precision, and continuous improvement, and we are excited to welcome a new Finance Manager who shares our commitment to excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

Rights Processing

• Learn all aspects of rights sales contracts, statement and income processing and credit control to be an expert in this area.
• Work with the team leaders to ensure that all processes are carried out accurately and efficiently by reviewing workload and KPIs.
• Work with all stakeholders both internally and externally to provide an exceptional service and champion improvements.
• Attend regular meetings with Rights Sales colleagues in the London office and our Credit Services department in Frating.
• Work with the other Royalty Managers to ensure that rights income is accurately reported to our Authors.

Staff Management

• Work closely with the rest of the royalty senior team to coordinate and bring together the whole department as one unit. This includes playing an active role in issues such as improving morale, staff integration, training programs etc.
• Assist the Team Leaders at busy periods and provide cover for them in their absence.
• Carry out performance reviews for direct reports.
• Coordinate / organise training and personal development across the department to meet the needs of the individual and the business.

Improving Processes and Procedures

• Assist the Royalty Department Manager in improving communication with other departments and building effective business relationships.
• Work with the team to identify changes to existing methods of working where efficiency, accuracy and reporting could be improved within the department and other areas of the business.

Experience Required:

• The Rights Revenue Manager will have significant experience leading a medium to large team in an accounting function and be able to demonstrate a track record of high service levels, continuous improvement and change management.
• An accounting qualification is desired but not essential if qualified by experience.

Personal Characteristics

• Excellent people skills and communication is a requirement of this role to be able to collaborate and influence at all levels.
• Always works to a high standard of accuracy, has excellent attention to detail and able to spot inaccuracies.
• Able to identify opportunities for improving working practices and business systems and is comfortable challenging the status quo.
• Able to prioritise their own workload and that of their team to ensure that deadlines and targets are met.

Salary: Circa £47,000 depending on how your skills and experience align to the role, plus benefits.

About Penguin:

We’re the UK’s largest publisher; made up of some 2,000 people and publishing over 1,500 books each year. Our doors are open to all kinds of talent. In a constantly evolving industry, we work hard to stretch the definition of the word publisher. Here, you’ll work with a breadth of talent who all play their part to make each of our books a success. Together, we make books for everyone because a book can change anyone.

How to apply: Please apply with your CV and cover letter by 23:59 on Sunday 5th January 2025.

Hybrid working: While our offices across the UK are places to connect, collaborate and celebrate with colleagues, we recognise that flexibility around where you work is just as important. For this role we currently expect that you will attend the office, based in Colchester, once a week.