Head of Transactional Finance

TN United Kingdom; London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading music education charity as the Head of Transactional Finance, where you'll oversee payroll and accounts payable, drive automation, and enhance financial compliance. This role offers the chance to lead significant change within a collaborative finance team, contributing to a global mission in music education.

Benefits

Matched pension contributions

25 days annual leave plus Christmas closure days

Flexible and hybrid working arrangements

Opportunities for professional development

Qualifications

• Recognised finance qualification required.
• Experience managing finance system implementations essential.

Responsibilities

• Oversee payroll, accounts payable, and finance systems.
• Drive automation and process improvement across transactional finance.

Skills

Leadership

Project Management

Stakeholder Engagement

Continuous Improvement

Education

ACA

ACCA

CIMA

Tools

UNIT4

Microsoft Dynamics

Job description

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Shape the Future of Finance at ABRSM

ABRSM is the UK’s leading music education body and a globally respected charity, supporting millions of learners and teachers across 90+ countries through world-renowned music exams, publications, and digital learning tools. With a turnover of approximately £50 million, ABRSM is undertaking an ambitious programme of digital transformation—modernising systems, operations, and ways of working to better serve its global community.

They are now seeking a dynamic Head of Transactional Finance to lead the evolution of finance operations and define the future of this function within a modern, collaborative finance team.

The Role

Reporting directly to the CFO, the Head of Transactional Finance oversees payroll, accounts payable, and finance systems. It maintains a strong relationship with accounts receivable in an adjacent team. This role offers a unique opportunity to lead a function through significant change.

You’ll be instrumental in driving automation, improving processes, and ensuring seamless integration between finance systems (UNIT4) and wider business platforms such as Microsoft Dynamics. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, change-oriented environment and is passionate about operational excellence and strategic impact:

• Driving automation and process improvement across transactional finance
• Managing the deployment and optimisation of UNIT4 and its integration with systems like Microsoft Dynamics
• Enhancing financial compliance, policies, and controls
• Ensuring data quality and timeliness for reporting
• Supporting change management across finance and the wider organisation

The Person

We’re looking for a confident, forward-thinking finance professional who thrives in change-oriented environments and wants to make a significant impact. You'll bridge systems, processes, and people—bringing structure, clarity, and innovation to a function that underpins ABRSM’s financial strength and strategic goals.

You’ll bring:

• A recognised finance qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
• Leadership experience in finance operations, including payroll and accounts payable
• Experience managing or supporting finance system implementations and integrations (experience with UNIT4 is essential)
• Excellent project management and stakeholder engagement skills
• A mindset focused on continuous improvement, digital transformation, and cross-functional collaboration
• The ability to position transactional finance as a strategic partner to teams such as financial accounting and FP&A

This role is for someone who thinks systemically, understands digital workflows, and can bring a modern, strategic perspective to transactional processes—not just a systems accountant.

Why Join ABRSM?

This is a rare opportunity to lead change in an organisation with a global reach and a purpose-driven mission. You’ll have the autonomy to define and modernise the transactional finance function and be part of a broader transformation journey that reshapes how ABRSM delivers value internally and externally.

• A high-impact leadership role in a purpose-driven organisation
• The opportunity to shape and modernise finance operations
• A chance to contribute to a global mission in music education
• Competitive salary and benefits including matched pension contributions (employer contribution capped at 10%), 25 days annual leave plus Christmas closure days, flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Contract: Permanent or 18-Month Fixed Term
• Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning
• A collaborative and supportive work environment

How to Apply

ABRSM is partnering with Hays Senior Finance to find the right candidate. Please contact Peter O’Sullivan at Hays with any queries. The first step is to submit your application. If shortlisted, Peter will follow up to discuss next steps.

Closing date: 4th June 2025

Interviews: 18th and 19th June

#4687579 - Peter O'Sullivan