At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance systems, ensuring stability and accuracy in Workday Financials and Adaptive Planning.
- Company: Join a top UK wealth management firm committed to sustainability and client service.
- Benefits: Inclusive culture, competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on diversity and equal opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in finance technology while promoting responsible investing.
- Qualifications: 2+ years of hands-on Workday Financials experience and strong finance process knowledge.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 ÂŁ 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 see an opportunity to lead the way within our sector in relation to sustainability and responsible investing. We have set a target for our direct footprint to be Net Zero by 2030 and continue to enhance our approach to responsible investment, which includes offering a dedicated service for clients with values-based objectives.
We offer fulfilling careers in an inclusive culture that values diversity, ambition and rewards high performance. Our guiding principles underpin our culture and are at the heart of everything we do:
- we do the right thing
- we are connected
- 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. We’re committed to promoting equal employment opportunities and positively encourage applications regardless of race, religion or belief, sexuality, age, disability, gender, gender identity, marital status or pregnancy and maternity.
Collaboration and knowledge-sharing is important to us as a firm, and we value different ways of working. Employees are required to be in the office three days a week, with flexibility to work from home on the other two days.
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.
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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
Head of Finance Systems employer: Brooks Macdonald
Contact Detail:
Brooks Macdonald Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance Systems
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and wealth management sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! If you’ve got experience with Workday Financials or Adaptive Planning, make sure to highlight that in conversations. Share specific examples of how you’ve improved processes or led teams through system changes.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job postings to appear. Reach out directly to companies you’re interested in, like Brooks Macdonald Group plc, and express your enthusiasm for their work in sustainability and responsible investing.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team and contributing to our mission of making a difference in wealth management.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance Systems
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Finance Systems role. Highlight your experience with Workday Financials and Adaptive Planning, and don’t forget to showcase your understanding of finance processes and controls. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
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 can contribute to our mission of sustainability and responsible investing. Let us know how you embody our guiding principles!
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your expertise in finance systems. Whether it’s improving reporting accuracy or leading a successful system implementation, we love to see quantifiable results that make a difference.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Brooks Macdonald
✨Know Your Workday Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in Workday Financials, Adaptive Planning, and Prism Analytics. Brush up on your knowledge of these systems and be ready to discuss how you've used them in past roles. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the tools but can also leverage them effectively.
✨Showcase Your Change Management Skills
Since the role involves leading through a post-implementation phase, prepare examples of how you've successfully managed change in previous positions. Highlight your ability to train and support users, as well as how you’ve improved system adoption and user confidence.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Familiarise yourself with Brooks Macdonald's commitment to sustainability and responsible investing. Be ready to discuss how finance systems can support these goals, and think about how you can contribute to their Net Zero target by 2030.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement
This role requires collaboration with various teams. Think of examples where you’ve partnered with finance leadership or operational teams to translate business needs into system solutions. Being able to demonstrate your communication and stakeholder management skills will set you apart.