Senior Finance Operations Manager (Jersey)

Bedell Cristin; London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Finance Operations Manager to lead their finance team in Jersey. This pivotal role involves overseeing daily finance operations, ensuring compliance with regulations, and driving process improvements. The successful candidate will manage a team of finance administrators, ensuring effective workload allocation and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. With a focus on stakeholder management, this role is essential to maintaining smooth financial operations that align with the firm’s objectives. If you are a dynamic leader with a strong background in finance operations, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in senior finance operations, preferably in legal or professional services.
• Strong leadership skills with a focus on team development and performance management.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily finance operations, ensuring compliance and efficiency.
• Lead and develop a team of finance administrators, fostering a culture of improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder Management

Analytical Skills

Problem-Solving

Organizational Skills

Process Improvement

Education

Professional Accounting Qualification (ACCA, CIMA, CPA)

Tools

Aderant

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Senior Finance Operations Manager (Jersey)

Application Deadline: 1 May 2025

Department: Finance

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Jersey

Reporting To: Head of Finance

Description

Purpose of the job

Working as part of our central Finance team, the successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day finance operations of the firm, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and internal policies.

Leading and developing a team of finance administrators, the role will focus on delivering efficient end to end financial processes, driving continuous improvements and financial performance levels.

The successful candidate will be a key point of contact between the Finance team and other departments, ensuring a smooth financial operation that supports the firm’s overall objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership

• Lead, manage, and develop a team of finance administrators, providing guidance, training, and support.
• Ensure workload is effectively allocated across the team to maintain efficiency and accuracy in all finance operations.
• Conduct performance reviews, set objectives, and foster a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.

Finance Operations and Compliance

• Oversee daily finance operations, including billing, credit control, cashiering, bank reconciliations, accounts payable, client payments, staff expenses and other financial processes and investigations.
• Manage month end finance operations processes for all Bedell Cristin in house entities, including bank reconciliation reviews.
• Manage client accounting processes, ensuring funds are handled correctly and reconciliations are completed in a timely manner.
• Work closely with the firm's Financial Controller and Management Accountant to monitor cash flow and ensure that the firm has sufficient liquidity to meet its obligations.
• Ensure compliance with local law society regulations, Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations, and other relevant legal and regulatory requirements.
• Establish and maintain robust financial controls, policies and procedures, ensuring active monitoring and enforcement of those controls.
• Manage the banking relationships, including maintenance of bank mandates, online platforms and opening of new accounts.

Process Improvement and Stakeholder Management

• Work closely with fee earners, partners, and other departments to resolve finance-related queries and ensure smooth financial operations.
• Assist in financial investigations and the successful delivery of audits for all Bedell Cristin in house entities, ensuring timely and accurate reporting of findings.
• Support the development and enforcement of finance policies.

Qualifications

• Professional accounting qualification (e.g., ACCA, CIMA, CPA)

Knowledge/skills/experience

• Experience in a senior finance operations role, preferably within a law firm or professional services environment.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to interact effectively at all levels.
• Strong leadership and team management experience, with a proven ability to develop and motivate a team.
• Experience in process improvement initiatives and implementing financial controls.
• In-depth knowledge of legal finance operations, including local law society accounts rules, client accounting, probate administration and regulatory compliance.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with high attention to detail.
• Experience with financial systems and legal practice management software (preferably Aderant).
• Strong IT skills in Microsoft applications, particularly Excel, with an eye for detail and diligence to ensure accuracy of system, process and output

Competencies

We would like you to have:

• Demonstrated leadership and team management skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills at all levels
• Strong analytical and problem-solving approach
• Ability to manage demanding priorities and deadlines
• Strong organisational skills and a meticulous attention to detail
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite, in particular Excel

In this role you will be expected to:

• Behave in a manner in keeping with our core culture and values.
• Adhere to all policies, procedures and regulations including those around anti-money laundering and terrorist financing.
• Commit to fulfilling any personal CPD requirements and continually developing your skills and knowledge.