Head of Finance Operations

Darlington Permanent Up to £115,000 Ref: 420428

The Opportunity:

We are delighted to be supporting a highly regarded, purpose-led organisation with the appointment of a Head of Finance Operations. This is a senior leadership opportunity with a broad remit spanning finance operations, payments and banking, financial controls, operational resilience and transformation.

The organisation has recently implemented Workday and is now moving into the next stage of its finance transformation journey. The successful individual will have significant scope to shape the future operating model, optimise technology, simplify and automate processes and explore how emerging technologies, including AI, can further improve the effectiveness of Finance Operations.

Working across Finance, Technology and Change & Transformation, this is a highly visible role combining strategic leadership with hands-on transformation and continuous improvement. It would particularly suit someone who enjoys leading people through change and wants the opportunity to genuinely influence how a major finance function operates.

Main Duties/Responsibilities:

Shape and deliver the Finance Operations strategy and future operating model.
Lead the continued optimisation of processes and functionality within Workday.
Identify opportunities to automate, simplify and standardise finance processes.
Develop a scalable, efficient and resilient Finance Operations function.
Strengthen financial controls, governance, contingency planning and business continuity.
Oversee key banking supplier relationships and associated operational risk and resilience.
Partner across Finance, Technology and Change & Transformation to deliver meaningful improvements.
Ensure Finance Operations works effectively alongside other operational teams.
Lead, motivate and develop a high-performing team with a strong continuous-improvement culture.

You Will Be/Have:

Significant senior leadership experience within Finance Operations.
Strong knowledge of payments, banking systems and associated processes.
A demonstrable track record of finance transformation, process optimisation and successful systems adoption.
Experience redesigning and standardising processes to improve efficiency and control.
Strong understanding of financial controls, governance, month-end close and reconciliations.
Experience developing systems, processes and controls that support operational resilience.
Experience using ERP technology and automation to improve finance operations.
Strong stakeholder management skills and the credibility to lead cross-functional change.
An analytical, solutions-focused approach combined with strong people leadership skills.
Experience within Shared Services, Workday, payments/banking solutions or emerging technologies such as AI would be advantageous.