Finance Integrations Manager

Kids Planet Day Nurseries provides top-tier nursery care and education across 232 settings, fostering an environment where children can explore, learn, and interact. We are currently seeking a Finance Integration Manager to replace the current manager who is moving to another department within Kids Planet. This role involves leading the integration of acquisitions into our structure, with confident communication with acquisitions, senior management, and local authorities. You will oversee the onboarding process until successful integration into the wider finance team. The ideal candidate will be part of our growing Finance Department at Head Office, with a strong focus on building great nursery relationships and attention to detail.

Responsibilities will include but not be limited to the following:

• Supervise a team of 5 people, including indirect reports, ensuring effective day-to-day operations and integration processes, with the potential for team expansion.
• Conduct regular one-to-one meetings with team members, manage holidays, sickness, and other HR-related tasks, ensuring the team operates smoothly and efficiently.
• Liaise with previous owners to understand their current operations and ensure processes align with Kids Planet standards prior to acquisition.
• Communicate any issues or potential revenue loss to key stakeholders promptly and effectively.
• Create and present detailed reports to senior management, illustrating the impact of changes to current processes on Kids Planet models.
• Provide insights and recommendations based on thorough analysis.
• Oversee the integration of nurseries onto current Kids Planet systems and models, ensuring a seamless transition and adherence to established procedures.
• Evaluate staff coming over with acquisitions, assessing their fit within the team and making recommendations for their roles.
• Act as the primary contact within finance for new acquisitions, providing guidance and support throughout the integration process.
• Drive continuous improvement of integration processes, identifying opportunities for efficiency and effectiveness.
• Travel to nurseries as required to deliver training sessions, ensuring all staff are well-versed in Kids Planet finance procedures and systems or attend meetings.
• Facilitate effective communication within the Billing & Collections Department to ensure a smooth transition of sites to the wider team.
• Collaborate with various teams to address integration challenges and streamline processes.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Local Authorities.
• Inform Local Authorities of purchases, ensure all EY Funding contracts are submitted, and obtain access to the necessary portals.
• Perform any other duties deemed appropriate to this role, contributing to the overall success of the Billing & Collections Department and Kids Planet Day Nurseries.

The ideal applicant will possess:

• Strong leadership and team management skills, with a hands-on approach and ability to operate effectively under pressure.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and decision-making abilities.
• Proficiency in project management, problem-solving, and handling multiple tasks.
• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and numerical ability.
• Adaptability and agile thinking with a can-do, self-motivated attitude.
• Experience in training and development, and commitment to continuous improvement.
• Technical proficiency with finance systems and software, including high competence in Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Ability to manipulate and understand previously unseen data sets.
• Ability to present information in a readable and understandable format for senior management.
• Background in meeting deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.

This role offers the successful candidate a competitive salary and pension, along with the opportunity to work within a dynamic and expanding professional team. The position is full-time, requiring 40 hours per week.