Head of Finance Operations

COREcruitment; Bristol; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading international Leisure and Hospitality company is seeking a Head of Finance Operations to lead a team of approximately 25 members in ensuring operational excellence and smooth finance operations. This role involves overseeing finance systems, managing risks, and maintaining compliance across multiple entities. Ideal candidates should have proven experience in finance operations and strong stakeholder management skills. Competitive salary range is between £85k–£95k.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading transactional finance operations and managing teams.
• Strong technical knowledge across AP, AR, credit control, and financial controls.
• Experience working with multi-jurisdictional entities and VAT principles.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and manage a high-performing team (~25 people).
• Oversee full transactional finance operations.
• Establish and maintain a strong financial control environment.
• Manage risk through enforcing policies on purchasing and expenses.

Skills

Leading transactional finance operations

Technical knowledge across AP, AR, credit control

Advanced Excel skills

Stakeholder management

Proactive solutions-driven approach

Education

Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)

Tools

Oracle NetSuite

Job description

Head of Finance Operations, Hospitality and Leisure, London/Bristol, 85-95k

About the Role

A leading international Leisure and Hospitality company is seeking a highly skilled and driven Head of Finance Operations to lead a team of ~25 across Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Credit Control, Systems Administration, and Process Improvement. You’ll ensure smooth transactional finance, robust controls, and operational excellence across a group of 59 entities in 9 countries.

This role plays a critical part in driving process efficiency, system improvements, and supporting business-wide transformation projects.You’ll work closely with internal and external stakeholders to optimise technology, streamline processes, and lead change initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and manage a high-performing team (~25 people), setting vision, culture, and structure.
• Oversee full transactional finance operations, including ledger ownership, reconciliations, journal approvals, and period-end close.
• Establish and maintain a strong financial control environment, driving process efficiency and automation.
• Act as the Finance Operations lead for business-wide projects, providing subject-matter expertise.
• Manage risk through enforcing policies on purchasing, expenses, and credit control.
• Ensure compliance with multi-jurisdictional accounting and reporting requirements.
• Oversee utilisation and optimisation of finance systems, supporting continuous improvement.

Skills & Experience Required

• Proven experience leading transactional finance operations and managing teams.
• Strong technical knowledge across AP, AR, credit control, and financial controls.
• Advanced Excel skills; comfortable working with data and systems.
• Experience working with multi-jurisdictional entities and VAT principles.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Hands-on, proactive, and solutions-driven approach.

Desirable

• Oracle NetSuite experience.
• Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Background in travel, hospitality, or multi-entity businesses.