At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance operations and systems in EMEA, leveraging AI and technology for innovative solutions.
- Company: Join Carlyle Group, a global investment firm with a collaborative and inclusive culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, hybrid work model, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with excellent career advancement opportunities in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by modernising finance operations and driving technology adoption.
- Qualifications: 5-7 years in finance operations, strong tech skills, and experience with low-code platforms required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
The Manager, EMEA Finance Operations & Systems serves as the regional techno-functional lead for the Finance Process & Operations (FPO) team in the EMEA region. Based in London, this role operates within a coordinated reporting structure, reporting directly to US FPO leadership while maintaining a collaborative reporting relationship with London finance leadership to align regional operations with global standards.
The role pairs deep regional process and systems knowledge with hands-on technology capability - spanning AI, low-code/no-code development, and scripting - to evaluate processes, deliver solutions, and modernize finance operations across the region. Unlike a single-function role, this position spans financial systems broadly, owning how EMEA operations map to the firm’s global platforms.
The Manager acts as the AI and technology champion for the region, identifying high-impact opportunities to apply emerging technology and building solutions directly - from generative AI workflows and Power Platform applications to scripted automations and integrations. A defining feature of the role is accounting for EMEA-specific requirements, including VAT, multi-currency, cross-border, and local statutory and regulatory reporting nuances, when scoping and validating solutions.
Stakeholder management sits at the heart of this position. The Manager serves as the primary liaison and trusted partner between EMEA end-users and US FPO & IT, bridging time zones, facilitating alignment across geographically distributed teams, and influencing outcomes without direct authority. The role operates with a high degree of independence, owning regional requirements end to end and leading small-to-medium initiatives with limited oversight.
In-Office Requirement: 4 days a week
Primary Responsibilities:
- Regional SME & AI/Technology Leadership (~35%)
- Serve as the regional SME for EMEA finance business processes across financial systems broadly, not limited to any single function, owning how regional operations map to firmwide platforms.
- Serve as the regional SME for the EMEA technical landscape - systems, integrations, and data flows - and how it connects to the US/global environment.
- Act as the AI/technology champion for the EMEA region, identifying high-impact opportunities to apply AI and emerging technology and driving adoption across regional teams.
- Apply AI tooling - generative AI, prompt engineering, agent workflows, SQL, and BI - to analyze data, accelerate work, and design more efficient regional workflows.
- Account for EMEA-specific regulatory, operational and reporting requirements - when scoping and validating solutions.
- Solution Development & Delivery (~30%)
- Design, build, and maintain low-code/no-code solutions and workflow automations on the Power Platform, and comparable platforms such as Appian, to solve regional process problems directly.
- Apply hands-on scripting and coding such as Python, SQL, and VBA where appropriate to build integrations, automations, or data transformations beyond what low-code tools allow.
- Create and maintain reusable components - prompt libraries, automation templates, and documentation - that scale across the region and back to global teams.
- Document business requirements, functional specifications, and user stories with clear acceptance criteria.
- Lead business-side testing, including UAT, for regional initiatives, validating that delivered systems meet documented requirements.
- Oversee small-to-medium regional initiatives end to end, from discovery through deployment and stabilization, participating in agile delivery and proactively flagging obstacles.
- Stakeholder Management & Regional Partnership (~20%)
- Serve as the primary liaison and trusted partner between EMEA end-users and US FPO/GTS, bridging time zones and translating regional needs into firmwide solutions.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders across functions and seniority levels, from regional end-users to US finance and technology leadership.
- Facilitate workshops and working sessions with business owners and SMEs to drive requirements, alignment, and initiative outcomes.
- Manage stakeholder expectations across a transatlantic reporting line, proactively communicating status, risks, and trade-offs, and escalating with proposed solutions.
- Influence and drive consensus across diverse, geographically distributed groups without direct authority, acting as escalation partner for complex regional scenarios.
- Process Improvement, Support & Change Management (~15%)
- Perform data analysis to support troubleshooting, reporting, process evaluation, and data-flow documentation.
- Identify process gaps and automation opportunities, recommending solutions that weigh risk, control, and business impact, and drive process standardization and modernization across EMEA.
- Provide regional production support, triaging and resolving issues and escalating to US FPO/GTS with proposed solutions where needed.
- Support monthly and quarterly financial close cycles across the region, troubleshooting issues, validating data flows, and coordinating with US FPO/GTS to ensure timely and accurate closes.
- Drive change management across EMEA through training, documentation, and communication to ensure adoption of new tools and processes.
- Train and enable regional business users on AI and low-code/no-code capabilities, supporting citizen-developer enablement.
Requirements:
Education & Certificates: Bachelor’s degree required; concentration in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Information Systems, or a related field preferred.
Professional Experience: 5–7 years in finance operations, business systems, or a techno-functional and process improvement role, with regional/EMEA exposure. Hands-on experience building with low-code/no-code platforms such as Power Platform or Appian - required, not just familiarity. Working coding ability such as Python, SQL, or VBA for automation, integration, and data work. Demonstrated experience applying AI tools to real business problems. Knowledge of EMEA finance specifics - VAT, multi-currency, cross-border, and local statutory and regulatory reporting. Ability to work independently and lead initiatives with minimal oversight across a transatlantic reporting line. Experience supporting development teams in an agile environment, writing requirements, functional specs, or process documentation. Background in private equity or alternative investment operations preferred.
Competencies & Attributes: Proficiency with generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, or Microsoft Copilot, and a strong track record of applying AI to finance workflows. Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills across functions, seniority levels, and geographies, able to drive consensus without direct authority. Financial systems experience required across accounting, ERP, treasury, or comparable platforms. Advanced Excel required; SQL and data-querying skills strongly preferred. Exposure to BI and reporting tools such as Sigma Computing or Power BI a plus. Understanding of finance operations and financial reporting principles. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with an inquisitive, forward-thinking mindset. Ability to translate complex business needs into clear, structured requirements and working solutions. Excellent written and verbal communication, tailored to finance, technology, and leadership audiences. Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple competing priorities independently. Familiarity with Jira or similar agile project management tools.
About Us: The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ: CG) is a global investment firm with $475 billion of assets under management, across 678 investment vehicles as of March 31, 2026. Founded in 1987 in Washington, DC, Carlyle has grown into one of the world's largest and most successful investment firms, with more than 2,500 professionals operating in 28 offices in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. Carlyle’s purpose is to connect people, ideas, and capital to fuel growth for companies and performance for investors, which range from public and private pension funds to wealthy individuals and families to sovereign wealth funds, unions and corporations. Carlyle invests across three segments – Global Private Equity, Global Credit and Carlyle AlpInvest – and has deep expertise across industries, markets, and geographies. At Carlyle, we believe that a wide spectrum of experiences and viewpoints drives performance and success. Our CEO, Harvey Schwartz, has stated that, 'To build better businesses and create value for all of our stakeholders, we are focused on assembling leadership teams with the strongest insights from a range of perspectives.' Reflecting this view, emphasis is placed on development, retention and inclusion through our internal processes and seven Employee Resource Groups (ERGs). We cultivate a culture where ideas are openly shared and challenged, connecting diverse expertise and perspectives to drive enduring value.
Manager in London employer: Carlyle
As an EMEA Recruiter at our London office, you will join a dynamic and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. We offer competitive benefits, a collaborative environment, and the opportunity to work with diverse teams across EMEA and Japan, ensuring that your contributions are valued and impactful. Our commitment to strategic recruitment and compliance means you'll be equipped with the tools and support needed to excel in your role while fostering a positive candidate experience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Manager in London
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Carlyle. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Carlyle.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Carlyle's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Carlyle
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Carlyle.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Carlyle will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Carlyle employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
