Associate Director, Financial Operations EMEA

Baker & McKenzie Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH; London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a prestigious global law firm as an Associate Director in Financial Operations EMEA. In this pivotal role, you will collaborate with senior leadership to drive financial strategy and operational excellence across the region. You will oversee financial planning, reporting, and performance management, ensuring compliance with regulations while fostering a culture of continuous improvement. This is an opportunity to make a significant impact in a dynamic environment, leveraging your expertise in finance to support growth initiatives and enhance operational efficiency. Be part of a firm that values collaboration and innovation, and where your contributions will be recognized and rewarded.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in finance roles within legal or professional services.
• Strong leadership in managing regional finance functions.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with EMEA CFO on financial operations and strategy.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and performance management processes.

Skills

Financial Management

Strategic Planning

Regulatory Compliance

Budgeting

Performance Management

Team Leadership

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Finance

CPA, CMA, or ACCA

Tools

Microsoft Office (Excel)

Finance Software

Job description

• Associate Director, Financial Operations EMEA

Business Services | London

Associate Director, Financial Operations EMEA

Description

To collaborate closely with the EMEA CFO and Finance leadership on operational matters that are essential to the functioning of the Finance Department and the broader Firm, while working in conjunction with Global SMEs, Service Centre teams, Talent, Business Development, and other functions on global or EMEA-wide initiatives. Specific responsibilities will include Financial Planning, Reporting and Analysis, Budgeting and Forecasting, Financial Performance Management, departmental resourcing, and structuring the delivery of various finance-related systems projects and other initiatives and involvement in lateral hiring, partner compensation and promotions.

The role-holder will also collaborate with the Senior Working Capital Manager on billing, collections, and the identification and roll-out of AI adoption. The position demands hands-on involvement in achieving operational excellence, continual improvement, change implementation, and efficient departmental resource management. A strong background in financial management, operations, strategic planning, and regulatory compliance within the legal sector is required.

Main responsibilities

Strategic Financial Advice and Guidance:

• Partner with the EMEA CFO and other senior leaders to develop and execute the regional strategy and business plans
• Provide strategic financial advice and guidance to the regional leadership team, supporting business development and growth initiatives
• Evaluate and advise on the financial implications and feasibility of new business opportunities, contracts, and projects

Financial Planning, Reporting, and Analysis:

• Work closely with the EMEA Head of Reporting and Finance Leads in the offices to manage the financial planning, reporting, and analysis for the region, ensuring compliance with global and local standards and regulations
• Ensure the accuracy and integrity of the financial data and systems, and implement internal controls and policies

Budgeting, Forecasting, and Performance Management:

• Oversee the budgeting, forecasting, and performance management processes, ensuring alignment with the firm's objectives and targets
• Work closely with the Head of Reporting to coordinate and consolidate the annual budget and quarterly forecasts for the region, and communicate them to the regional leadership team
• Track performance against budget across revenue, expenses and profit and recommend corrective actions where off track

Continuous Improvement and Efficiency across Systems, Policy and Process:

• Drive continuous improvement and efficiency in the finance function, leveraging best practices and technology solutions
• Review and streamline the finance processes and workflows, and implement automation and standardisation where possible
• Identify and implement best practices and benchmarks for the finance function, and ensure alignment and consistency with the global finance team and the other regions
• Support the roll out of new technology solutions and systems that enhance finance capability
• Work on or lead any ad hoc projects that may arise, either from the global firm or from within the region
• Ensure finance policies are documented and fit for purpose, updating as required to reflect global or regional developments

Team Resourcing and Development:

• Act as the Operational SME for the Finance function, fostering a culture of collaboration, excellence, and innovation
• Review the current resources employed within the EMEA Finance function and identify the most efficient approach to the provision of Finance support for the region
• Work closely with the Service Centres to ensure the successful adoption of identified roles or tasks and the successful ongoing delivery of that service
• Help define and communicate the vision, mission, and goals of the finance function, and align them with the firm's values and strategy
• Provide direction, guidance, and support to the finance team and ensure they have the necessary skills, resources, and tools to perform their roles effectively
• Promote a learning and development culture within the finance team and help provide opportunities for training, coaching, and mentoring

Partner Support:

• Provide support to the Talent Function and Practice Groups concerning partner lateral hiring
• Support the EMEA Compensation Committee for Principals and the Local Partner Compensation Committee
• Provide support with financial information to assist management in assessing the performance of candidates for promotion to Partner or Principal
• Assist with calculations of distributable profits per a predefined formula.
• Working closely with the CFO and Senior Working Capital Manager, ensure lock-up targets are met and partners are supported in the delivery of strong financial hygiene

Travel requirements:Minimal, but some travel may be required, dependent upon specific projects.

Function

The Finance function provides the following services to the Firm:

• Supporting strategic decision-making from a financial and business perspective
• Managing cash flow, including accounts payable, credit checks, billing, and collections
• Ensuring Firm-wide purchasing excellence and efficiency
• Providing financial reporting, budgets, and forecastsSecuring financing across the global Firm

You will report to: Chief Financial Officer

Your direct reports, if any: Senior EMEA Reporting Manager, FP&A

Key relationships:

• Senior Finance leadership across 23 EMEA offices
• Global Finance service owners
• Service Center leaders and EMEA management
• Partners on an ad hoc basis

Technical skills, qualifications and experience

• A bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or a related field, and a professional qualification such as CPA, CMA, or ACCA
• Strong proven experience in finance roles within the legal or professional services sector
• Experience in a senior finance leadership role, managing a regional or multi-country finance function
• Experience in financial planning, reporting, analysis, budgeting, forecasting, performance management, and business partnering
• Experience in leading and developing finance teams, and driving continuous improvement and efficiency in the finance function
• The team is spread over a wide geographic footprint, so management of the team will require a high level of emotional intelligence, strong organizational skills, and effective communication
• Strong business acumen and analytical skills, with the ability to provide strategic insights and recommendations
• Excellent English-speaking communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with senior stakeholders and external partners
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel, and other finance software and systems
• A high level of integrity, professionalism, and confidentiality

These personal qualities represent the shared characteristics of high performers across Baker McKenzie, regardless of job level and location.

Know how

• Demonstrates the ability to identify the real issue, and to anticipate requirements and potential consequences; distills a range of possibilities by thinking in a considered, prudent manner
• Has the capacity to take on new ideas and develop knowledge and think holistically about business and address media, analyst, employee, and client audiences
• Able to move through a variety of tasks requiring different approaches, knowledge, and expertise, with the agility of mind and capacity for analysis and synthesis

Dedication

• Driven by a strong personal sense of integrity and upholds exemplary quality standards
• Prepares thoroughly, takes responsibility, uses initiative and is self reliant to ensure work progresses to the fullest extent possible
• Hardworking and diligent with a keen understanding of client demands
• Demonstrates composure when dealing with difficult situations

Personal Impact

• Uses complex, coordinated influencing/negotiation strategies, adapted to people, organizations, and/or the situation, e.g. networks
• Leverages direct reports to facilitate increased collaboration across the organization
• Builds partnerships based on a common agreement that acknowledges individual differences but creates a new commonality beyond root belief large-scale
• Creates a positive impression at all times; develops relationships through collaboration and reciprocity
• Negotiates to achieve mutually satisfactory outcomes; shows good judgment on when to stand strong and when to compromise
• Invests in, nurtures, and builds a network of productive relationships

Humanity

• Respectful to others, regardless of their position, and earns the respect of others by being transparent
• Has care and concern for others and a genuine interest in others as people
• Treats delicate or confidential issues with grace and discretion.

Why Join Us?

Baker McKenzie is a truly global law firm. Founded in 1949, we advise many of the world's most dynamic and successful business organisations through our 13,200 people in 74 offices in 45 countries. Yet big does not mean impersonal. We work hard to ensure that everyone knows their role and has the support they need to perform it to the highest standard. Our culture encourages this - how we work, think and behave in a collaborative and fulfilling way.

In London you will be part of a 1,000 person office, which is also our largest office globally. Originally opened in 1961, Baker McKenzie London is well established in the UK as a leading international law firm and is regularly involved in some of the country's most high-profile legal matters. We can offer you the work, pride and experience of being part of a leading law firm but in a local office environment that is hardworking, friendly and supportive.

The strength of the firm and our culture is evidenced by a number of recent awards, including:

• Thomson Reuters (formerly Acritas' Sharplegal) Global Elite Law Firm Brand Index, 2010- 2022 - ranked 1st
• The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers 2021-2022: currently ranked 52nd
• Thomson Reuters ranked the Firm No. 1 for cross-border deals for the last 12 years. More than 70% of our deals are cross-border.
• For the 14th consecutive year, the Firm was ranked first for deals with emerging market involvement, by both number of announced and completed deals.
• Law360 ranked the Firm as one of the 400 Largest US Law Firms in in its annual survey in 2020.
• Identified as one of the Hall of Fame for best law firms for women by Working Mother magazine, 2011-2021.
• Received a a Gold Award in Stonewall's Global Workplace Equality Index of Top Global Employers for LGBTQ+ Inclusion.
• Ranked as one of the Top 20 Employers in the 2023 Social Mobility Employer Index.
• Received Double Certification for earning top marks in the 2022 Corporate Equality Index and Equidad MX of the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.
• Winner of the Europe Mentorship Programme - International Firm award in the Euromoney Women in Business Law Europe Awards 2021
• Winner of the Gender Diversity International Firm, Talent Management International Firm, and Work-Life Balance International Firm awards in the Euromoney Women in Business Law Asia Awards 2021

Please click on the Apply icon to start the online application process for this role. We will then be in touch with you once we have reviewed your application.

For more information about this position or to discuss any adjustments you may require during the process please contact in confidence, David Roberts, Recruitment Manager, on [e-mail]

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Commitment to Inclusion, Diversity & Equity

As the first truly global law firm, diversity and inclusion are foundational to our culture and strategic vision. We are a Firm of individuals from across the globe with different backgrounds, ideas, and points of view who collegially work together to solve complex problems and design practical solutions for our clients. Our multiple perspectives come from many sources, including the diverse ethnicity, culture, gender, nationality, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, parental status, education, social background and life experience of our people.

Our global strategy is focused on our people, our culture, our clients and the communities where we operate. In 2019 we enacted ambitious new targets related to gender, racial and ethnic diversity at the Firm. These targets are viewed as a floor, not a ceiling, to advancing underrepresented groups, and they are backed by a variety of strategic initiatives aimed at achieving our goals. Our strategic vision is supported in London by six active employee led networks which champion diversity, lead on a number of internal campaigns and deliver a range of activity to celebrate differences in identity, inclusion, and key dates throughout the year including: LGBT+ History Month, International Women's Day, International Trans Day of Visibility, Mental Health Awareness Week, Pride, Black History Month, Social Mobility Week, International Day of Disabled Persons and many more!

Baker McKenzie London has been accredited by Disability Confident, joining over 18,000 organisations that have signed up to help change behaviours and cultures in businesses, networks and communities and reap the benefits of inclusive recruitment practices.