Senior Systems Manager (Contract)

Side; Greater London; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Side is seeking a Senior Finance Systems Manager to lead evolution, optimisation, and automation of financial processes using D365 Finance & Operations. You will align finance systems with business needs, drive upgrades, and mentor the finance team in system use.

You will work closely with the global IT team to maintain the knowledge base and ensure staff are trained for new functionality, maintaining a proactive improvement mindset.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a software, technology, finance or business related field.
• Strong knowledge of financial principles, accounting practices, and budgeting.
• Proven analytical and problem-solving capability.
• Excellent communication, written and verbal.
• Advanced IT skills: D365, MS Office, Power BI.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to a roadmap of development for Side's use of D365.
• Ensure all Side entities are using D365 effectively.
• Collaborate with finance and IT to design and implement system enhancements.
• Lead testing, validation and sign-off for D365 upgrades.
• Maintain master data and ensure GL integrity and security.

Skills

Financial principles

Accounting practices

Budgeting

Communication

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in software, technology, finance or business

Tools

D365

Microsoft Office

Power BI

Job description

We are looking for a skilled and detail-oriented Senior Finance Systems Manager to lead the evolution, optimisation and automation of our financial processes and reporting based on a core implementation of Microsoft D365 Finance & Operations. This role requires technical expertise in D365 and a deep understanding of financial processes. The successful individual will ensure that finance system is aligned with business needs, and the company is making full use of the systems capability.

They will also ensure that all staff in the wider finance community are adequately trained in the system, that a knowledge base is maintained and make recommendations for upgrades and improvements working closely with the company's global IT team.

To be successful in the role you will be an experienced finance systems professional, with robust technical skills and analytical mind-set. You will have a high degree of self-motivation, a proactive approach with excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with clear focus on service to the wider business and continuous improvement.

Key requirements:

• Contribute to a roadmap of development for Side's use of D365.
• Work to ensure all Side entities are successfully using D365.
• Evaluate current processes to identify areas for improvement.
• Collaborate with the wider finance team and IT colleagues to design and implement system enhancements or new functionalities.
• Work to remove previous customisations of the system and ensure that Side can take advantage of the regular systems upgrades provided by Microsoft Ensure D365 meets compliance, reporting, and operational needs.
• Act as a liaison between finance, IT, vendors, and other departments to ensure seamless communication and alignment.
• Take responsibility for the operation of the core financial modules of the D365 system and to ensure that key validations and reconciliations are complete on a timely basis (e.g. period cut off).
• Lead on the review and update of key financial business processes, identify areas of weakness or inefficiency, recommend, and subsequently implement resolutions.
• Play a key role in the identification, development, planning and implementation of system improvements and enhancements that will transform the current ways of working.
• Take responsibility for the co-ordination of testing, validation and sign off in relation to the upgrade of financial modules of D365.
• Constantly review, maintain and update relevant master data to ensure the continued integrity of the general ledger and associated interfaces, including user authorisations and approval hierarchies.
• Provide a key interface between Finance and IT in respect of financial systems functionality, performance, planned downtime and future developments in relation to finance processes.
• Support the development of financial / non financial reports to enable more accurate analysis of data across the whole business.
• Manage change requests and ensure minimal disruption to business operations during transitions.
• Develop training programs for end-users to ensure smooth adoption of new functionality in the finance system and ensure new joiners understand how to use the system.
• Create and maintain detailed project documentation, including timelines, system requirements, workflows, and user guides.
• Drive finance processes automation and the alignment between external and internal reporting requirements.
• Assist with the framework to develop and maintain robust controls and workflows to ensure data accuracy, security, and compliance.
• Provide the linkage to systems expertise to ensure timely and accurate production of statutory, regulatory, and management reports.
• Support the automation and improvement of finance processes, reducing manual interventions and enhancing reporting efficiency.
• Maintain documentation of data flow configurations, processes, and key controls to support audits and compliance checks.
• Maintain Finance Architecture roadmap, keeping up with product updates.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a software, technology, finance or business related field.
• Strong knowledge of financial principles, accounting practices, and budgeting.
• Proven analytical and problem-solving capability.
• Ability to receive, understand and convey ideas and information clearly and accurately which may at times be complex, highly detailed, technical or specialist, both in written and verbal form.
• Advanced level of IT skills (D365, Microsoft Office, Power BI), and understanding of financial systems and controls.
• Excellent working knowledge of D365 is essential.
• Experience of transforming finance related processes is essential.
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to work under pressure and to strict deadlines.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to work with diverse teams.
• Demonstrable ability to navigate through uncertainty and provide solutions when working through ambiguity.

What we offer:

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