Interim Finance Systems Implementation Lead

The Oyster Partnership; East Hampshire; Hybrid; GBP 111,000 - 166,000; Full time

Job summary

The Oyster Partnership is seeking an experienced Interim Finance Systems Implementation Lead to guide a local authority through a major cloud finance transformation. You will own the finance workstream, ensure robust system design, testing and adoption, and manage relationships with partners and internal teams.

Hybrid role with 2 days onsite; 12-month assignment; start ASAP. You will drive workshops, document finance requirements and lead data migration and UAT to deliver a successful finance

Qualifications

• Experience leading finance systems implementations.
• Strong ERP implementation and transformation experience.
• Knowledge of General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Fixed Assets, Financial Reporting, Data Migration.
• Track record managing finance workstreams on large-scale transformation programmes.
• Strong stakeholder management skills.
• Ability translate finance requirements into system solutions.
• Experience delivering training and user adoption.

Responsibilities

• Lead the finance workstream for the cloud implementation.
• Act as the primary finance lead across the project.
• Drive system design workshops and requirements gathering.
• Develop and document finance user stories.
• Review and optimise finance processes.
• Lead data cleansing and migration readiness activities.
• Oversee chart of accounts review and rationalisation.
• Coordinate finance testing and UAT.
• Ensure successful adoption of new finance processes.
• Support training delivery and knowledge transfer.
• Manage relationships with implementation partners and internal stakeholders.

Skills

Finance systems

ERP implementation

Stakeholder management

Data migration

UAT coordination

Requirements gathering

Training & adoption

Job description

Interim Finance Systems Implementation Lead

Working Pattern: Hybrid (2 days onsite preferred, flexibility available for the right candidate)

Contract:12 Month Interim Assignment

Day Rate: Flexible / Subject to Experience

Start Date: ASAP

The Opportunity

I am supporting a local authority embarking on a major finance systems transformation programme as they implement a new financial system.

This is a pivotal role where you will act as the client's lead finance representative throughout the implementation, ensuring the system is successfully designed, built, tested and adopted across the organisation.

The organisation is now seeking an experienced Finance Systems Implementation Lead to take ownership of the finance workstream and drive the programme forward.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the finance workstream for the cloud implementation.
• Act as the primary finance lead across the project.
• Drive system design workshops and requirements gathering.
• Develop and document finance user stories.
• Review and optimise finance processes.
• Lead data cleansing and migration readiness activities.
• Oversee chart of accounts review and rationalisation.
• Coordinate finance testing and User Acceptance Testing (UAT).
• Ensure successful adoption of new finance processes.
• Support training delivery and knowledge transfer.
• Manage relationships with implementation partners and internal stakeholders.
• Work closely with Finance, IT, Project Management and Operational Services teams.

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience leading finance systems implementations.
• Strong ERP implementation and transformation experience.
• Comprehensive understanding of:
  • General Ledger
  • Accounts Payable
  • Accounts Receivable
  • Fixed Assets
  • Financial Reporting
  • Data Migration
• Track record of managing finance workstreams on large-scale transformation programmes.
• Strong stakeholder management skills.
• Experience translating finance requirements into system solutions.
• Training and user adoption experience.

Desirable Experience

• Local Government finance experience.
• Experience delivering finance systems implementations within complex organisations.
• Cloud migration experience.
• Finance Systems Accountant background.
• Process redesign and transformation expertise.
• Experience working alongside implementation partners.

Personal Attributes

• Proactive and hands-on.
• Collaborative approach.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Able to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong problem-solving capability.
• Comfortable operating in fast-paced project environments.

Why This Role?

• Lead a major transformation programme.
• Opportunity to shape the future finance operating model.
• Work within a supportive and collaborative finance team.
• High level of visibility and influence.
• Significant project ownership from day one.
• Chance to deliver a major cloud implementation with lasting organisational impact.

The Oyster Partnership Ltd. is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all candidates regardless of age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

All applicants must have the right to work in the UK. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. Proof of eligibility will be requested before any offer is confirmed.