Head of Central Finance: Processing & Automation Leader

Finspire Talent Limited; Lancashire; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Finspire Talent Limited is partnering with a leading global real estate advisory business to recruit a Head of Processing within its Central Finance function in Manchester. The role combines hands-on operational leadership with strategic change management to modernise processes, automate workflows and strengthen controls.

You will manage 30–40 colleagues across UK operations, oversee banking, billings and AR, and shape the transformation roadmap while delivering measurable improvements and high

Qualifications

• Significant leadership in transactional finance or shared services.
• Experience managing 20+ people across multiple processing disciplines.
• Strong knowledge of order to cash, banking, payments, reconciliations, billing or accounts receivable processes.
• Proven automation, systems transformation or major process improvement activity.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Central Finance processing function across banking, reconciliations and control, payments, billings and accounts receivable.
• Manage, support and develop a team of approximately 30 to 40 colleagues across the UK.
• Set and deliver the strategy and roadmap for Central Finance operations, with a clear focus on service excellence, control and continuous improvement.
• Lead the transition towards more automated and scalable ways of working, reducing reliance on manual processes.
• Play a key leadership role in the MRI system upgrade, pilot and wider implementation.
• Identify, prioritise and deliver automation opportunities across transactional finance processes.
• Own the operating cost base under remit and support improved divisional performance and profitability.
• Assess and report on risk, compliance, controls, operational performance and management information.
• Ensure transactions and controls meet statutory requirements, market best practice, RICS client money rules and FCA requirements where applicable.
• Work closely with Client Accounting, Surveying, Property Management Systems and the wider Finance leadership team.
• Create and embed a consistent customer service approach for internal clients, external clients and tenants.
• Review procedures, policies and controls continually, ensuring changes are implemented, understood and followed while building clear training and development pathways for the team.
• Provide regular updates to senior leadership on performance, cash collections, risks and key transformation activity.

Skills

Leadership

Transactional Finance

Team Management

Stakeholder Management

Automation

Process Improvement

Strategic Thinking

KPIs & Metrics

Financial Controls

Change Management

Tools

MRI System

Job description

Finspire Talent Limited is partnering with a leading global real estate advisory business to recruit a Head of Processing within its Central Finance function in Manchester. The role combines hands-on operational leadership with strategic change management to modernise processes, automate workflows and strengthen controls.

You will manage 30–40 colleagues across UK operations, oversee banking, billings and AR, and shape the transformation roadmap while delivering measurable improvements and high