Senior Manager, Business Applications

Collinson Group; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Collinson Group is seeking a Head of Business Applications to lead the Global Business Systems Team, supporting MS Dynamics 365 F&O, Workday and Office tools across the organisation. The role focuses on stabilising current systems, driving upgrades, and expanding MSD across new regions.

You will partner with external support, guide process improvements in P2P and O2C, and manage a team of 4–5 specialists across global sites, ensuring strong controls and timely user support.

Qualifications

• Qualified Accountant with experience in Finance and HR applications.
• High level of accuracy with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• At least 10 years of experience in relevant roles.

Responsibilities

• Take responsibility for the integrity of MS Dynamics, Kofax OCR, Zoho, Cascade and related systems.
• Ensure uptime of applications, manage upgrades and enhancements.
• Identify and implement process improvements across key finance processes.
• Lead and develop the global support team across locations.
• Maintain proper system permissions and delegated authority controls.
• Own procedures to support a strong control environment for GBA systems.
• Support or lead projects and BAU enhancements from a GBA perspective.
• Provide clear contact for stakeholders and audits (internal/external).
• Ensure SLAs are tracked and met for Finance Applications and Workday.
• Collaborate with Group Finance as the key finance partner for system support.
• Oversee development of new applications and provide technical user support.

Skills

Qualified Accountant

Finance applications

Microsoft Excel

Leadership

Communication skills

Deadline-driven

Global teams

Independent worker

Problem solving

Analytical thinking

Education

Accounting qualification

Finance-related degree

Tools

MS Dynamics 365 F&O

Workday

Zoho

Access Dimensions

Kofax OCR

Job description

Job Description

The Role

The Head of Business Applications (GBA) role joins our Global Business Systems Team supporting applications across our portfolio, including but not limited to MS Dynamics 365 F&O, Workday (being implemented in phases from early 2026) and MS Office Applications in relation to the Modern Workplace. Users are supported across our global offices, with core Finance users based in Cape Town.

The role is pivotal to the remaining phases of the MS Dynamics 365 F&O Project being deployed, as well as further "run and maintain" support mode in the coming 12+ months, with less reliance on external support partners. The role works and partners with our external support partners to further develop and maintain systems and processes, including delivery enhancements. It explores the ongoing product enhancements that are delivered as part of both MS Dynamics and Workday, and reviews AI opportunities and how they can be used to streamline recurring and repetitive tasks, as well as utilising them as part of the support offering to end users. The role drives further expansion of MSD across the globe to countries not in the original phases of the project, and manages user support and training, troubleshooting and problem solving.

Key Responsibilities

• Take responsibility for the integrity of systems including, but not limited to, MS Dynamics, Kofax OCR, Zoho, Cascade, (Workday in the future), Docentric, Access Dimensions and Banking / Treasury systems.

• Take responsibility for the uptime of the applications, together with managing upgrades and enhancements.

• Identify, propose and implement process improvements across key Finance processes, for example across Purchase to Pay or Order to Cash.

• Manage the support team, including looking to develop the team in each of their roles.

• Ensure system permissions are in line with delegated authorities and approval limits.

• Own the procedures to support an effective control environment for GBA systems.

• Support or lead various projects, BAU enhancements and initiatives from a GBA perspective.

• Provide a professional and approachable point of contact for stakeholders.

• Support and, where required, lead in audits, both internal and external.

• Ensure SLAs are tracked and met across Finance Applications and thereafter Workday.

• Liaise with Group Finance and act as key finance partner for system support.

• Oversee the development of new applications, as well as manage technical support to users.

Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours

Essential

• Qualified Accountant and experience of Finance and HR applications.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently and in a team environment.

• Experience of succeeding in a deadline-driven environment.

• Experience of high-volume businesses.

• Strong MS Office skills, especially Excel.

• Able to communicate confidently and effectively at all levels within an organisation.

• High level of accuracy and strong attention to detail.

• Proficiency in IT systems and software.

• Good communication and customer service skills.

• Ability to prioritise tasks and work independently.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills to collaborate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

• Minimum of 10 years' experience.

• Experience of managing a team of 4 to 5 individuals across global locations.

• Managing and directing the team, with the ability to lead and direct operations and BAU enhancements.

• Ability to provide input to the GBS RoadMap and understand how operations feed into it.

• Demonstrates strong organisational skills, working to strict deadlines.

• Commercially aware, delivers results and can identify opportunities for cost saving and efficiencies.

• Excellent communication, interpersonal and collaboration skills.

• Demonstrates excellent technical skills and is an excellent problem solver.

• Good team player, able to work with a wide variety of stakeholders.

• Demonstrates good written communication skills, including documentation and correspondence.

• Demonstrates the ability to be flexible and adaptable.

• Ability to work in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

• Organisational and leadership skills.

Desirable

• Previous experience in IT or application management roles.

Reward & Benefits: What's in it for me?

We want our people to feel recognised, supported and able to thrive both at work and beyond it.

We offer a competitive reward package designed to support your financial, physical and mental wellbeing, alongside opportunities to learn, develop and be recognised for the contribution you make. Benefits vary by role and location, and full details will be shared as part of the application process.

Equal opportunities: Our commitment to inclusion

Collinson Group is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and experiences, and believe that different perspectives make our business stronger.