At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance systems, optimise Workday Financials, and enhance reporting capabilities.
- Company: Join a top UK wealth management firm known for client service and investment performance.
- Benefits: Flexible working, inclusive culture, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on diversity and high performance.
- Why this job: Step into a leadership role and make a real impact in finance technology.
- Qualifications: 2+ years of Workday Financials experience and strong finance process knowledge.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 € per year.
Brooks Macdonald Group plc is one of the UK's leading wealth management firms, recognised for investment performance and client service. We offer leading multi-asset investment services to intermediaries, and high-quality financial planning advice to private clients, benefitting from a strong local presence across the UK. We offer fulfilling careers in an inclusive culture that values diversity, ambition and rewards high performance. Our values (we call them our guiding principles) underpin our culture and are at the heart of everything we do: we do the right thing, we are connected, we care, we make a difference.
We welcome talented people from all backgrounds who live our guiding principles and are focused on ensuring good outcomes for our clients.
Role Overview
We are a growing wealth management business that has recently implemented Workday Financials, Workday HCM and Adaptive Planning. We are now entering a critical post-implementation phase and are seeking a Head of Finance Systems to take ownership of our finance technology landscape and act as the subject-matter expert for Workday within the finance function. This is a hands-on role and an excellent opportunity for someone with strong Workday experience who is looking to step up into a leadership position. You will be the sole finance systems specialist in the team, playing a key role in stabilising, optimising and enhancing our Workday Financials and Adaptive environment while guiding finance stakeholders through best practice usage and future development.
Role Responsibilities
- Workday Financials & Adaptive Planning Ownership: Act as the primary owner and administrator of Workday Financials and Adaptive Planning, ensuring systems are stable, accurate and well-controlled. Provide expert support across core financial processes including GL, AP, AR, assets and reporting. Own Adaptive Planning models, including forecasting, budgeting and scenario planning.
- Prism Analytics & Accounting Centre: Manage and develop Workday Prism Analytics to enable enhanced reporting and analysis, including complex data sets and external data sources. Own and maintain Workday Accounting Centre, ensuring accurate and efficient accounting for non-standard or high-volume transactions.
- Post-Implementation Optimisation: Lead the finance function through the post-implementation phase, embedding Workday best practices and improving adoption across the team. Identify configuration improvements, control enhancements and process efficiencies. Act as a bridge between finance, IT and any external implementation or AMS partners.
- Reporting & Visualisation: Support the use of Power BI for finance reporting and dashboards, primarily consuming and shaping data from Workday Financials, Adaptive Planning and Prism Analytics. Work collaboratively with finance stakeholders to ensure reports are accurate, well-designed and aligned to management and regulatory reporting needs. Ensure consistency between Workday-native reporting and Power BI outputs, with appropriate controls and data governance.
- Stakeholder Management & Change Leadership: Partner closely with Finance leadership and operational teams to understand business requirements and translate them into system solutions. Provide training, guidance and ongoing support to finance users to build confidence and capability in Workday. Play a key role in change management for system enhancements and new releases.
- Integration & Data Governance: Oversee integrations between Workday Financials, Adaptive Planning and upstream/downstream systems. Ensure strong data governance, auditability and alignment with regulatory and control requirements appropriate for a wealth management environment.
- Future Roadmap: Contribute to the longer-term systems roadmap, including further automation, enhanced reporting and potential extension of Workday functionality. Liaise with the HR team where required, with some involvement in Workday HCM data, structures and integrations.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Essential: Minimum 2 years' practical experience with Workday Financials in a hands-on role. Experience with Adaptive Planning. Experience with Workday Prism Analytics and Workday Accounting Centre. Experience supporting finance teams through system change, stabilisation or post-implementation phases. Strong understanding of finance processes and controls.
- Desirable: Exposure to Workday HCM, particularly around organisational structures, costing allocations or integrations. Experience working in financial services, wealth management or a regulated environment. Prior experience working closely with external implementation or AMS partners.
We value different ways of working and actively promote flexible working across our business. Collaboration is important to us as a firm, with employees required to be in the office 3 days a week, and each team having a core in-office day per week. We're committed to promoting equal employment opportunities and positively encourage applications from suitably qualified candidates regardless of race, religion or belief, sexuality, age, disability, gender, gender identity, marital status or pregnancy and maternity.
Head of Finance Systems in London employer: Brooks Macdonald Group plc
Brooks Macdonald Group plc is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that values diversity and ambition. As a leading wealth management firm, we provide our employees with meaningful career opportunities, robust training, and the chance to make a real difference in clients' lives. With a strong local presence across the UK, we foster a collaborative environment where innovation thrives, ensuring our team members are well-supported in their professional growth and development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance Systems in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and tech sectors. Attend industry events or webinars where you can meet potential employers or colleagues. Remember, it’s all about who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Prepare a portfolio or case studies that highlight your experience with Workday Financials and Adaptive Planning. This will give you an edge during interviews and show you’re ready to take on the Head of Finance Systems role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors. Focus on articulating your experience with finance systems and how you’ve led teams through change. The more comfortable you are, the better you’ll perform!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We love seeing applications directly from candidates who are genuinely interested in joining us. It shows initiative and enthusiasm, which are key traits we value at Brooks Macdonald.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance Systems in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Head of Finance Systems role. Highlight your Workday experience and any relevant finance systems expertise to catch our eye!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how you embody our guiding principles. Show us how you can make a difference in our team.
Be Clear and Concise:When filling out your application, keep your language clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so avoid jargon and focus on what makes you the best fit for the position.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Brooks Macdonald Group plc
✨Know Your Workday Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid understanding of Workday Financials, Adaptive Planning, and Prism Analytics. Brush up on your knowledge of core financial processes like GL, AP, and AR. Being able to discuss specific features and how they can optimise finance operations will impress the interviewers.
✨Showcase Your Change Management Skills
Since this role involves leading the finance function through post-implementation phases, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully managed change in previous roles. Highlight your experience in training and supporting finance teams during system transitions.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Scenarios
Expect questions about how you would partner with finance leadership and operational teams. Think of scenarios where you've translated business requirements into system solutions. Be ready to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
✨Emphasise Data Governance and Reporting
Familiarise yourself with data governance principles and how they apply to finance systems. Be prepared to discuss how you would ensure accurate reporting and compliance with regulatory requirements, especially when using tools like Power BI alongside Workday.
