Business Unit Lead Contract Support in London

Job Purpose: Lead the Finance Contract Support Team to effectively deliver the management of the 'lifecycle of a work order' through completion to billing. Oversee and manage the team to ensure work orders are invoiced, closed and billed in line with our commercial and contractual requirements. Responsible for alignment of the business unit through continual improvement to processes, procedures and strong leadership and support for the finance contract support teams. Accountable for the delivery of month end billing processes and reporting and closely aligned with the Finance Lead / Finance Contract Manager. Role Summary: Contract Effectively oversee the management of the 'lifecycle of a work order' process Demonstrate knowledge of procedures and processes and deliver these to the required standard. Establishing robust relationships with the senior members of the team. Conduit between the Business Unit Leader and Contract Support ensuring regular communication to ensure they are fully informed of operational and financial objectives and achievements. Understand, anticipate and deliver both internal and external customer needs while building effective relationships whilst optimising contract performance. Support with identification of savings opportunities to ensure customer and GWS financial savings targets are maximised. Ensure company and contract policies and procedures are adhered to throughout the Business Unit and Contract Support teams. Continually utilise, update and develop systems, processes and the operational team to maximize efficiency benefits for the customer and GWS. Attend, offer input and fully engage in daily Team Meetings. Ad-hoc support including but not limited to reporting as requested by Business Unit or Business/Finance. Finance Manage a Finance Contract Support Team and ensure team is effectively utilised, providing the necessary training and development to ensure effective delivery. Lead the team performance through motivation and commitment to achieve the business unit targets Hold Finance Contract Support Team Meetings to share business updates and best practice. Ensure the commercial management and financial performance of every work order is efficient and maximised. Drive high quality commercial performance through understanding the contractual commitments, better buying and use of preferred suppliers. Support internal and external audits. Positively respond to both our internal and external customers (often in a matrix environment) through effective communication and personal accessibility/credibility. Support the preparation and delivery of monthly Contract and Business Unit Reviews. Manage the Contract Support Team in the production of billing application, calculating margins, raising invoices and submitting to client. Creation and review of management reports such as WIP, OPO's & Invoice Pool. Support in comprehensive spend tracking including the building and maintaining of the committed spend reports for John Lewis Partnership. Ensuring high focus on influencing the P&L, capturing any places that can be improved the following month. Support with Ad-hoc reporting as requested by Divisional Finance Director or Business Unit Director/Alliance Director. Education Hold academic passes with at least GCSE Maths and English or equivalent Higher educational qualifications to 'A' level/HNC/D or degree (desirable) Skills Intermediate PC based skills with experience in Word and Outlook Advanced Excel knowledge including understanding of complex formulas (desirable) IT Skills to achieve key tasks and give the business a sound reporting base (desirable) Capable of working in a matrix environment Stakeholder / customer management skills Organised and open to new ways of working to challenge inefficiencies Strong communication skills both upwards and downwards including both excellent verbal and presentation skills PowerPoint and Access experience (desirable) Formal training in the use of Excel, Word and presentation software packages (desirable) Knowledge A comprehensive understanding of business and customer-facing environments Understands the requirements of operating in a contract environment Experience Competent working knowledge and experience of the technical aspects of FM delivery Working Knowledge of FM assets and delivery workflows Background in engineering management operations Team leadership Ability to work as part a multi-disciplinary and high performing team Previous experience of a service industry role Management skills to maximise the performance of staff working directly for them and others Proven commercial acumen and ability to contribute to decision making Track record of driving results Previous experience of a service industry role using operating systems such as Dynamics AX (desirable) Aptitude Able to work systematically, proactively manage situations and use own initiative A commitment to continuous quality improvement Must demonstrate a strong sense of customer focus with a passion for customer service Results driven; task orientated Excellent time management and organisational skills Reliable Calm manner, able to work under pressure and against rapidly changing demands and priorities Being able to promote the RISE values and culture Effective communication skills enabling the individual to work with clients, suppliers, and staff at all levels Results orientated, with attention to detail and accuracy Excellent time management and organisational skills Self-motivated, ability to prioritise demands and make decisions under pressure Comprehensive numeracy and computer literacy Circumstances The individual must be willing to undertake travel as the role/business requires Being flexible to work outside core office hours from time to time. Experience in leading teams (desirable) Core Competencies Develop, manage and lead self and others Collaborates across boundaries Strong Management & Leadership Operational Excellence Integrity Reliable and committed Confidential and discrete approach Customer Service Attention to detail and accuracy Desire to improve current procedures Full understanding of the WIP and P&L(desirable) Experience in tracking comprehensive spend (desirable)