Finance & Operations Manager

eNL Legal; West Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working arrangement

Generous holiday allowance

Pension scheme

Job summary

eNL Legal in the East Midlands is seeking a commercially minded Finance & Operations Manager to lead the finance function and partner with the Managing Director and Partners to shape the firm's future growth.

You will own budgeting, forecasting, cashflow management and management reporting, driving data-driven decision-making, governance and continuous improvements across a professional services environment.

Qualifications

• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to translate financial information into strategic recommendations.
• Experience leading a finance function and driving profitability through data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day management of the finance function.
• Mentor and develop the finance team to deliver high performance and service excellence.
• Prepare monthly management accounts, budgets, forecasts and cashflow projections for the senior leadership team.
• Monitor key financial metrics, identify trends and opportunities to improve profitability and cash flow.
• Provide commercial insight to support strategic decision-making with Partners and Heads of Department.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Strategic leadership

Budgeting & forecasting

Management reporting

Cashflow management

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Tools

Advanced Excel

Financial systems

Job description

Finance & Operations Manager | East Midlands | Competitive Salary + Benefits

An established and ambitious law firm is seeking a commercially minded Finance & Operations Manager to play a key leadership role within the business. This is a strategic appointment offering the opportunity to work closely with the Managing Director and Partners, taking ownership of both financial and operational performance whilst helping to drive the future growth of the firm.

The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the firm's financial performance continues to improve through robust financial management, effective reporting, operational efficiencies and data-driven decision-making. This role will suit a proactive leader who enjoys influencing strategy, analysing business performance and implementing improvements across a professional services environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day management of the finance function.
• Manage, mentor and develop the finance team, ensuring a high-performing and service-focused department.
• Prepare monthly management accounts, financial reports, budgets, forecasts and cashflow projections for the senior leadership team.
• Monitor and analyse key financial metrics, identifying trends and opportunities to improve profitability, revenue growth and overall business performance.
• Work closely with Partners and Heads of Department to review fee earner productivity, utilisation, billing performance, lock-up, WIP, debtor days and departmental profitability.
• Provide meaningful commercial insight and recommendations to support strategic decision-making across the firm.
• Develop pricing strategies, monitor matter profitability and support business planning initiatives to ensure sustainable growth.
• Identify and implement improvements to financial systems, reporting processes, controls and operational procedures to enhance efficiency and performance.
• Take ownership of year-end accounts, audit processes and relationships with external accountants and advisers.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant financial regulations, accounting standards and internal controls.
• Support wider operational management across the business, driving continuous improvement initiatives and ensuring resources are utilised effectively.
• Act as a trusted advisor to the Managing Director and Partners, helping to shape the firm's long-term financial and operational strategy.

Candidate Requirements

• Previous experience in a Finance Manager, Financial Controller, Finance & Operations Manager or similar leadership role.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to translate financial information into practical business recommendations.
• Experience analysing financial performance and implementing initiatives that improve profitability and operational efficiency.
• Proven people management experience with the ability to lead, develop and motivate teams.
• Excellent budgeting, forecasting, management reporting and cashflow management skills.
• Advanced Excel and financial systems knowledge.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the confidence to influence and challenge senior decision-makers.
• Experience within a legal, professional services or partner-led environment would be advantageous.

What's on Offer

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Hybrid working arrangement.
• Generous holiday allowance and pension scheme.
• The opportunity to work closely with senior leadership and directly influence the future direction of the business.
• A highly visible role with significant autonomy and responsibility.
• Clear progression opportunities as the firm continues to grow.
• A collaborative and supportive working environment within an ambitious and forward-thinking law firm.

At eNL we value diversity and inclusion. We want to attract people at all levels and encourage applications from all suitably qualified candidates whatever your ethnicity, religion, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or any characteristics protected by law in the jurisdictions in which we operate.