Head of Finance Operations & Shared Services

Morgan McKinley; Cork; On-site; EUR 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Morgan McKinley in Cork, Ireland invites applications for Head of Finance Operations & Shared Services. This senior role reports to group finance leadership and owns the strategic direction, delivery, and modernization of the enterprise finance shared services function.

You will lead hybrid operations across internal teams and vendor partners, drive digital finance initiatives including RPA and AI, and mentor the team to develop future finance leaders while maintaining robust controls.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a shared services or finance operations function in a large, multi-site corporate environment.
• Significant experience operating within a hybrid or outsourced service delivery model with third-party providers.
• Hands-on track record of digital transformation, process automation (AI/RPA), and continuous improvement.
• Professional accountancy qualification (ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent) desirable.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management capabilities bridging strategy and execution.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy and delivery of centralized finance operations (AP, supplier finance, supplier income, GA, MD management, indirect procurement, regulatory reporting).
• Own the service governance framework for outsourced teams, SLAs, costs, and service delivery.
• Drive digital finance initiatives, standardization, automation, and workflow improvements.
• Oversee core systems ownership (Oracle R12) and data integrity across platforms.
• Partner with Group Finance, divisional leadership, and external vendors and stores.
• Mentor the finance operations team and develop future leaders.
• Maintain robust internal control frameworks and cybersecurity/risk policies.

Skills

Shared Services Leadership

Outsourced Model Expertise

Digital Transformation

Stakeholder Management

Strategic Communication

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent

Tools

Oracle R12

Job description

Role Title: Head of Finance Operations & Shared Services

Location: Cork, Ireland (Hybrid Model)

Position Type: Full-Time, Permanent

The Opportunity

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join a market-leading retail and wholesale group as Head of Finance Operations & Shared Services.

Reporting directly to senior group finance leadership, this high-visibility executive role owns the strategic direction, operational delivery, and continuous modernization of the enterprise finance shared services function. Governing a hybrid operating model across internal teams and strategic third-party vendor partners, you will act as a key driver of digital finance innovation, automation, and operational excellence across the entire business.

Key Responsibilities

• Finance Operations Leadership: Direct and execute the strategy for all centralized finance operations, including Accounts Payable, Supplier Finance, Supplier Income, General Accounting, Master Data Management, Indirect Procurement, and Regulatory Reporting.
• Vendor & Service Governance: Own the Service Management Framework governing outsourced operational teams, driving SLA adherence, quality metrics, cost efficiencies, and seamless service delivery.
• Digital Transformation & Innovation: Champion digital finance initiatives across the function, proactively driving process standardization, RPA, AI adoption, and workflow automation.
• Core Systems Oversight: Serve as the primary finance functional owner for key enterprise platforms, including Oracle R12.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Act as a strategic partner to Group Finance, divisional leadership, store/operational teams, and external partners.
• Talent Development: Manage and mentor the finance operations team, establishing the shared services function as a primary development ground for future finance leaders.
• Risk & Controls Governance: Maintain robust internal control frameworks, cybersecurity risk policies, and business continuity plans across all service lines.

What We Are Looking For

• Shared Services Leadership: Proven track record of leading a shared services or finance operations function within a large, multi-site corporate environment.
• Outsourced Model Expertise: Significant experience operating within a hybrid or outsourced service delivery model (managing third-party service providers and offshore teams).
• Transformational Track Record: Hands-on experience driving digital transformation, process automation (AI/RPA), and continuous improvement projects.
• Qualifications: Recognized professional accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent) is desirable.
• Strategic & Communication Skills: Exceptional leadership and stakeholder management capabilities, with the ability to bridge high-level strategy with operational execution.

Why Apply?

• Senior leadership role with end-to-end accountability in a prominent corporate group.
• High-impact opportunity to shape digital finance strategy and drive automation.
• Flexible hybrid working model (Work Smart) balancing remote and office-based collaboration.