Head of Finance Operations

Description:

Citadel Source is exclusively partnering with a leading regional PLC to appoint a Head of Finance Operations, a newly created and strategically vital position reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). This exceptional opportunity is ideal for a high-performing operational finance leader with a proven record of driving transformation, managing large-scale finance operations, and implementing process optimisation across global or multi-site environments.

The Head of Finance Operations will lead the company’s ongoing finance transformation initiative, which involves outsourcing key shared service functions to a third-party provider. The aim is to enhance process efficiency, scalability, compliance, and operational performance across the organisation’s finance structure.

This is a pivotal leadership role for a commercially astute professional capable of aligning finance service delivery with broader business strategy, managing multimillion-pound contracts, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leadership of Finance Operations: Oversee and manage end-to-end finance operations, including Procure-to-Pay (P2P), Order-to-Cash (O2C), and Payroll, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficient execution across all processes.

• Outsourcing Transition Management: Lead the successful outsourcing of finance shared services to a third-party partner, managing commercial agreements, service delivery expectations, and change control processes.

• Operational Excellence: Drive operational efficiency through simplification, standardisation, and automation of finance processes. Ensure timely and accurate execution of invoicing, payments, and reconciliations.

• Contract and Vendor Oversight: Take ownership of high-value third-party contracts, applying commercial insight to achieve cost efficiency and value optimisation. Oversee governance, SLAs, and performance metrics.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Act as the primary point of contact for senior business stakeholders, ensuring finance operations deliver aligned, high-quality service and support strategic goals.

• Transformation and Change Management: Lead process transformation initiatives, fostering collaboration between internal process improvement teams and external service providers.

• Performance Management: Establish and monitor KPIs, SLAs, and customer satisfaction indicators to measure and drive performance improvements across global finance operations.

• Team Leadership and Development: Manage internal teams and oversee third-party teams across multiple geographies, developing talent and ensuring alignment with business priorities.

• Continuous Improvement: Champion a culture of ongoing improvement, leveraging technology and process innovation to enhance scalability, accuracy, and service delivery.

• Strategic Advisory: Partner with the CFO and executive leadership team to shape the long-term finance operations strategy, aligning service models with the company’s evolving business needs.

Requirements and Qualifications:

• Proven experience leading end-to-end finance operations within complex or multinational organisations.

• Strong background managing shared service centres (SSC) or outsourced finance functions.

• Demonstrated success in transformation and change management, with a focus on process improvement and automation.

• Commercial acumen and experience handling multimillion-pound third-party contracts.

• Advanced skills in managing KPIs, SLAs, and service quality metrics to drive accountability and results.

• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence at executive level.

• Proactive problem solver, comfortable operating in dynamic and evolving environments.

• Strong leadership capabilities with experience managing direct and matrixed teams across multiple locations.

• Strategic thinker with the ability to translate business strategy into operational execution.

Compensation and Benefits:

• Base Salary: £100000 - £150000 per year (approx. £8333 - £12500 per month)

• Bonus: Up to 30% annual performance bonus

• Car Allowance

• Excellent company benefits package

• Hybrid Working: 3 days in office, 2 days from home

About the Company:

The client is a leading regional PLC currently undergoing a major strategic transformation to modernise its finance delivery model. The organisation is committed to building an efficient, compliant, and scalable finance function that underpins its long-term strategic growth ambitions. This role provides the unique opportunity to shape the company’s future-state finance operations model while working alongside an experienced leadership team.