Head of Real Estate - Finance

Hays Accountancy and Finance; Swindon; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the investment sector is seeking a Head of the Real Estate & Infrastructure Operations team. This role involves overseeing operations for investments worth £7BN, managing teams, and driving operational excellence. The ideal candidate will possess a post-qualified accountant qualification and significant management experience in financial services, with a focus on client engagement and operational efficiency.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Retention bonus upon completing a 12-month contract

Valuable experience working with a reputable employer

Qualifications

• Post-qualified accountant qualification (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA).
• Experience with UK Real Estate and Infrastructure funds is advantageous.
• Senior management experience within a Financial Services environment.

Responsibilities

• Managing departmental planning to facilitate change and meet strategic objectives.
• Driving improvements within the department and across teams.
• Managing three direct reports and overseeing a team of around 40 indirect reports.

Skills

Communication

Team Management

Operational Efficiency

Client-focused Approach

Planning Skills

Education

Post-qualified accountant qualification (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA)

Job description

Our client

Working for our client offers growth and career opportunities across all their businesses. They have intentionally built their organization to support your success. With a global team of 2,500 professionals, their expertise spans diverse areas, including over 650 investment specialists sharing perspectives across major asset classes and markets. Their clients benefit from a wide range of investment strategies and bespoke solutions tailored to specific needs.

They are a people-centric organization, recognizing that their success depends on talented individuals who bring diversity of thought, skills, and capabilities. Committed to inclusivity, they strive to create a workplace that reflects and supports the diversity of their employees, communities, and clients.

The role

The Head of the Real Estate & Infrastructure Operations team will oversee end-to-end accounting and operational support for investments valued at approximately £7BN in UK Real Estate and Infrastructure businesses. This role involves managing business-as-usual activities, driving change, and achieving operational excellence aligned with strategic and tactical business goals.

How you will spend your time

1. Managing departmental planning to facilitate change and meet strategic objectives.
2. Driving improvements within the department and across teams to achieve operational excellence.
3. Managing three direct reports and overseeing a team of around 40 indirect reports, including responsibilities for recruitment, training, motivation, and development.
4. Representing the department at internal and external meetings, such as board and committee meetings, and engaging with key investors.
5. Overseeing all aspects of operations management.
6. Participating as a member of the Property Business Management Team, jointly responsible for achieving the committee's objectives.

To be successful in this role, you will have

• Post-qualified accountant qualification (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA).
• Experience with UK Real Estate and Infrastructure funds is advantageous.
• Senior management experience within a Financial Services environment.
• Experience working across multiple jurisdictions, including the UK, Jersey, and Luxembourg.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of engaging with clients and colleagues at all levels, including fund managers, boards, committees, fund administrators, investors, suppliers, and auditors.
• Proven ability to manage and motivate a team with competing priorities.
• Skill in identifying and implementing operational efficiencies and control improvements, managing risks proactively.
• Ability to handle complex issues effectively.
• Client-focused approach.
• Forward-thinking with strong planning skills.
• Self-motivated, deadline-oriented, and capable of working independently.

What you will receive

In return, you will receive a competitive salary, a retention bonus upon completing a 12-month contract, and valuable experience working with a reputable employer in the Wiltshire market.

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