Finance Operations Lead

JR United Kingdom; London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Finance Operations Lead to enhance their finance operations and oversee the implementation of a new ERP system. This pivotal role will involve managing finance processes, ensuring compliance, and collaborating with various departments to maintain data integrity. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in finance operations, strong project management skills, and a proven track record with ERP systems. Join this forward-thinking organization to drive efficiency and optimize financial processes while mentoring a dynamic team in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in finance operations with leadership roles.
• Proven experience with ERP systems, particularly SAP S4.
• Strong knowledge of data governance and financial compliance standards.

Responsibilities

• Oversee finance operations including accounts payable and payroll.
• Lead ERP system implementation and ensure data integrity.
• Develop training materials for finance staff on new systems.

Skills

Finance Operations

Project Management

Data Governance

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance

MBA or relevant certification (CPA, CMA)

Tools

SAP S4

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Social network you want to login/join with:

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Finance Operations Lead to oversee and optimize our finance operations while playing a key role in supporting the implementation of a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in finance operations, excellent project management skills. The role will also be responsible for establishing the governance surrounding financial master data across the organization, a strategic thinker who can collaborate with various departments to ensure data integrity, accuracy, and compliance with financial regulations and standards. This role will be pivotal in ensuring a smooth transition to the new system and enhancing the efficiency and compliance of our financial processes.

Key Responsibilities:

Finance Operations Management:

• Working closely with the country Finance Managers and teams – review the day-to-day finance operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger, payroll, and financial reporting.
• Develop and implement efficient financial processes and controls to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Monitor financial performance through key metrics and provide insights to senior management.

ERP System Implementation:

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define business requirements and ensure alignment of finance processes with the new ERP system
• Working with the Finance Transformation Lead and the System Integration team, lead the finance team in the process design and configuration decisions.Post implementation manage the testing of upgrades and changes, and ensure all financial modules are effectively used with end-to-end integrated workflows.
• In partnership with the SI partner and Implementation lead, develop training materials and conduct training sessions for finance staff on the new ERP system, and develop new starter accelerated onboarding.
• Support in the data migration activities ensuring accurate and complete transfer of financial data to the new system
• Help to configure the system to reflect the company’s financial structure, chart of accounts, tax rules, cost centres etc
• Participate in user acceptance testing and work with the finance lead focusing on finance specific tasks ie journal entries, reconciliations and reporting accuracy
• Identify and develop contingency plans during the implementation to any potential financial risks such as compliance issues, cash flow disruptions

Master Data Governance:

• Develop and implement master data management policies, standards, and procedures to ensure data accuracy and integrity across the ERP system and processes.

Data Quality and Data Lifecycle Management:

• Monitor and assess the quality of financial master data, identifying issues and implementing corrective actions to maintain high data quality standards.
• Oversee the entire lifecycle of financial master data, including creation, modification, and deletion processes, ensuring compliance with internal and external regulations.

Process Optimization: (post the ERP implementation)

• Continue to analyse current finance processes and identify opportunities for automation, scalability and improvement.
• Collaborate with IT and other departments to enhance system integrations and data flow.
• Implement best practices in finance operations to drive efficiency and accuracy.

Collaboration and Leadership:

• Lead and mentor the finance operations team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional development.
• Work closely with other departments (e.g., IT, Sales, Operations) to ensure alignment and support for finance initiatives.
• Participate in strategic planning and contribute to organizational goals through effective financial management

Training and Support:

• Provide training and support to finance and other relevant teams on master data management best practices and tools, fostering a culture of data stewardship.

Reporting and Analytics:

• Develop and maintain reports and dashboards to monitor data quality and compliance metrics, presenting findings to senior management.
• Create and maintain processes and reports which support internal and external stakeholders, and their operational teams
• Stay updated with industry trends and best practices in master data management and finance, recommending improvements to current processes and systems.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Information Systems, or a related field; MBA or relevant certification (CPA, CMA) preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in finance operations, with at least 5 years in a lead finance role.
• Proven experience with ERP systems, SAP S4 being highly desirable
• Strong knowledge of data governance principles, data quality management, and data lifecycle management.
• Strong knowledge of financial processes, regulations, and compliance standards.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and project management skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across departments.
• Project management experience and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Knowledge of relevant regulatory requirements and compliance standards related to financial data management.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel and financial software; experience with ERP systems is a must.