Working Capital Manager

A&O Shearman; Ballygally; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A&O Shearman is seeking a Working Capital Manager to join the Belfast Finance team, overseeing billing, cash allocation and collections. You will lead a 15-20 person team, driving best-in-class processes and improvement initiatives across global offices.

This role requires strong leadership, strategic thinking and excellent communication to influence stakeholders. Responsibilities include partnering with senior managers on the capital transformation roadmap, coaching team members, and delivering

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading large, high-performing finance or working capital teams in a professional services or complex business environment.
• Strong leadership skills to inspire, motivate and align teams around a shared vision.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to build trust and influence across global stakeholders.
• Analytical, problem-solving and process improvement capabilities within working capital.
• Self-awareness, integrity and commitment to inclusion and development of others.
• Experience with legal or professional services working capital processes (billing, WIP, collections) is highly desirable.
• Proficiency with financial systems and data tools to interpret data for decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations spanning billing, cash allocation and collections.
• Lead a high-performing team of 15-20 professionals, including two direct reports.
• Collaborate with the Senior Working Capital Manager to drive cash flow improvements and transformation.
• Identify opportunities for automation, standardisation and process optimisation across systems and workflows.
• Define, track and analyse KPIs to monitor progress and inform decisions.
• Maintain strong relationships with global Partners, Finance Business Partners and client teams.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Financial analysis

Cash flow management

Process improvement

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Data interpretation

Tools

Financial systems

Data tools

Job description

Job Description

We have an exciting opportunity for a Working Capital Manager to join our Finance team, based in A&O Shearman's Belfast Office.

Finance team – Belfast The Belfast Finance department provides services to the A&O Shearman network of offices covering management and financial accounting & reporting, revenue control, credit control, accounts payable and tax. Main offices currently served are London, Belfast, US, South Africa, Dubai, Israel, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Netherlands and Germany. There is a strong client service ethic, and we work to Service Level Agreements, targets and deadlines to deliver in line with client expectations.

What you will do The Working Capital Manager plays a pivotal role in supporting the Senior Working Capital Manager to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence across the firm’s working capital function. The Working Capital Manager is responsible for overseeing daily operations-spanning billing, cash allocation and collections - ensuring timely execution and adherence to best-in-class standards. Leading a high-performing team of 15-20 professionals, including two direct reports, this role fosters a culture of empowerment, collaboration, and accountability.

Leadership & People Development

Provide visionary leadership to a high-performing Working Capital team, fostering excellence and continuous growth. Communicate a compelling vision and shared purpose that motivates the team to deliver outstanding results aligned with the firm’s strategic objectives.

Cultivate an inclusive, high-performance culture where individuals feel empowered, heard, trusted, accountable for their contributions, sense of belonging and equipped to excel.

Lead by example with strong self-awareness-embracing personal development and modelling a commitment to continuous learning.

Actively coach and mentor team members, promoting innovation, ownership, and professional growth.

Operational Excellence & Strategic Support

Collaborate closely with the Senior Working Capital Manager to implement initiatives that strengthen cash flow, improve operational efficiency, and enhance overall performance. Support the execution of the strategic roadmap for working capital transformation, aligning with firm-wide objectives.

Continuous Improvement & Strategic Contribution

Identify and drive opportunities for automation, standardisation, and process optimisation across systems and workflows. Contribute to projects that promote innovation, sustainability, and continuous improvement. Demonstrate agility in adapting to change, applying sound judgment and proactive problem-solving to evolving business needs.

Process Improvement, KPI’s & Quality Assurance

Champion technology enablement and process enhancements to streamline operations, eliminate inefficiencies, and deliver measurable results. Define, track, and analyse key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor progress, inform decision-making, and drive continuous improvement. Ensure consistent delivery of high-quality outputs that meet or exceed internal and client expectations, while maintaining full compliance with firm policies and standards.

Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration

Build and maintain strong relationships with global stakeholders, including Partners, Finance Business Partners, and client teams. Communicate with clarity and confidence, providing insights and recommendations to senior leadership. Collaborate across global finance functions to share best practices and deliver a seamless working capital strategy.

What you will have

Proven experience leading large, high-performing finance or working capital teams in a professional services or complex business environment.

Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire, motivate, and align teams around a shared vision.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to build trust and influence across global stakeholder groups.

Commercially astute, with strong analytical, problem-solving, and process improvement capabilities.

High degree of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and integrity.

Commitment to inclusion, empowerment, and developing others.

Experience with legal or professional services working capital processes (billing, WIP, collections) is highly desirable.

Proficiency with financial systems and data tools; able to interpret and leverage data for decision-making and insight generation.

Personal Attributes

Visionary leader who inspires and unites people behind a common purpose. Self-aware, open to feedback, and committed to personal and professional growth. Empowers others through trust, transparency, and shared accountability. Collaborative and inclusive, fostering strong global relationships and cross-functional cooperation. Flexible, resilient, and solutions-oriented - able to navigate complexity and change with confidence. Passionate about excellence, innovation, and delivering meaningful impact.

What we can offer you

To learn more about the culture and benefits available at A&O Shearman, please visit: Culture and benefits | A&O Shearman careers

Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our recruitment team who will work with you to provide any adjustments as required.

We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

NO AGENCIES PLEASE - A&O Shearman does not accept unsolicited CVs. For further information, please see our UK Recruitment Agency Policy and our commitment to direct sourcing here . LI