Head of EMEA Shared Service Center

My client, a FTSE 250 Manufacturing and Consulting business is looking to hire a head of Finance overseeing their EMEA Shared Service Center. This role requires someone who has already operated in a similar role at a similar scale as they require someone that will be able to operate at a strategic level. The firm also have succession planning in mind so there are growth opportunities with the role.

The role is an international position overseeing offices in the UK, Eastern Europe and smaller offices across other parts of Europe. There will be regular travel to the UK office and infrequent / ad hoc travel to other offices. You will also need to manage relationships with other global regions. It is vital this individual is able to manage senior stakeholders and represent finance to the business as well as having their house in order in terms of effective running of the Shared Service Center. This is an Operational Finance job focused on finance rather than other aspects sometimes found in a central function.

The client offers an excellent culture allowing high performing individuals to succeed and progress whilst enjoying their time at work. They also offer strong benefits.

This role will be responsible for the overall management of the EMEA service function – including Finance, Payroll and customer service to support the EMEAs President and Leadership Team to improve the business performance of the region. This person will also be responsible for integrating existing functions into the service center.

• Day to day management of the operations service teams specific to the region.
• Implement global strategy within EMEA shared service center.
• Grow and develop the capabilities of the shared service center to deliver improvements and new efficiencies.
• Manage stakeholders across the region including president and business leaders.
• Manage 300+ FTEs in matrix structure with around 10 direct reports.
• Develop and manage to the regional strategy and business plan.
• Responsible for decision making and effective resourcing to ensure timely and adequate delivery.
• Effectively manage the team ensuring costs are managed, areas are appropriately staffed and the right people are in the right roles.
• Lead enhancements/improvements of the services offered driving process design.
• Provide overall leadership for the function within remit.
• Lead the negotiation of service transition in-line with the agreed scope and plans.
• Define and promote best practice and industry leading culture.
• Ensure career paths and opportunities for development for team members and high performing managers.

• Minimum of Bachelors degree or equivalent. MBA or advanced business degree desired.
• Experience leading shared service center / central finance function for large, complex international organization.
• Demonstrable experience in transformation projects in business operations.
• Proven track record of standardizing and optimizing business processes and systems.
• Proven experience managing mixed function teams.
• Experienced working in an international environment, managing senior stakeholders across multiple geographies.
• Understanding of technology and its utilization for and automation in improving business performance.
• Ability to manage stakeholders regarding buy in for change initiatives.
• Experience of setting up and scaling shared business services organisations in multiple locations.
• Deep understanding of key performance metrics, such as quality and outcomes.
• Robust knowledge of some or all of Finance, Customer Services, Order Entry, HR, Procurement, Data/Analytics and accounting life cycle and processes.
• Robust knowledge of Finance and Customer Services. Experience of Order Entry, HR, Procurement, Data/Analytics processes preferable.
• Excellent understanding of the critical success factors shared service centers.
• Experience of off-shoring and outsourcing.

If this role sounds like it would be a fit and you would like to learn more, please apply below or reach out to myself at chrisstringer@brewermorris.com or sarahevans@brewermorris.com.