Finance Operations Manager

Cactus Search Ltd; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

Private healthcare

Pension plan

25 days holiday

Career progression

Supportive culture

Job summary

Cactus Search Ltd is seeking a Finance Operations Manager for a 12-month fixed-term contract with potential to extend or perm. The role sits hybrid in Southampton and oversees AR, AP, reconciliations and treasury, delivering robust controls and cash insights.

You will lead a transactional finance team, partner with senior stakeholders, and drive process improvements in a fast-paced environment. ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent experience preferred.

Qualifications

• Experience leading high‑volume transactional finance operations.
• Ability to manage complex transactional processes at scale.
• Professional accounting qualification or equivalent experience.
• Strong analytical capability; proficient in Excel and Power BI.

Responsibilities

• Lead AR and AP functions with strong controls and timely processing.
• Own all balance sheet reconciliations and financial governance.

Skills

Accounts Receivable

Accounts Payable

Cash Flow

Financial Controls

Leadership

Forecasting

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA

Qualified by experience

Tools

Excel

Power BI

Job description

Finance Operations Manager (12 Month FTC - potential to go PERM)

Salary:£60,000 – £65,000 + 15% bonus + excellent benefits

Location:Hybrid (1–2 days onsite per week),Southampton

Are you an experienced finance operations leader who thrives on bringing structure, control, and momentum to high-volume transactional environments?

We’re looking for a Finance Operations Manager (12 Month FTC) to take ownership of core finance operations across Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Balance Sheet Reconciliations, and Treasury. This is a pivotal role at the heart of the organisation, with real influence over cash flow, controls, and operational excellence.

If you enjoy leading teams, improving processes, and partnering with senior stakeholders to support growth, this could be a standout next step.

The Role

As Finance Operations Manager, you’ll lead and optimise the organisation’s end-to-end transactional finance and treasury activities, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and robust financial governance.

• Leading AR and AP functions, ensuring timely processing, accuracy, and strong controls
• Owning all balance sheet reconciliations and maintaining rigorous financial governance
• Managing group-wide cash flow, including daily liquidity monitoring and forecasting
• Supporting commercial and strategic decision-making through high-quality cash insights
• Designing and embedding strong financial controls, policies, and processes
• Driving continuous improvement initiatives across finance operations
• Developing and motivating a high-performing finance operations team
• Working closely with senior stakeholders to shape operational finance strategy

About You

You’ll bring proven leadership experience within a fast-paced, high-volume finance environment and be confident managing complex transactional processes at scale.

• AR, AP, reconciliations, and treasury / cash flow management
• Leading and developing transactional finance teams
• Cash forecasting and liquidity management
• Strengthening controls and delivering process improvements

You may be a qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA) or qualified by experience, with strong analytical capability and confidence using Microsoft Excel and Power BI.

Most importantly, you’ll be proactive, commercially aware, and comfortable operating as a trusted finance leader.

What’s On Offer

• £60,000 – £65,000 base salary
• Up to 15% annual bonus
• Hybrid working (1–2 days per week onsite near Southampton)
• 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays
• Private healthcare and wellbeing support
• Strong pension contribution
• Clear career development and progression opportunities
• Inclusive, supportive culture where you can genuinely make an impact