Head of Finance Transformation - 12m FTC in London

Purpose of the job: The Head of Finance Transformation role is a 12 month fixed-term contract and is responsible for shaping a forward-looking, insight-driven finance function that combines FP&A leadership, finance transformation, and data & analytics. The role drives high-quality planning, forecasting, and performance insight, ensuring finance plays a central role in informing strategic decision-making and influencing the executive agenda. Operating across strategy and execution, the role builds and embeds scalable operating models, modernises processes, and establishes a robust, single source of truth for data and reporting. Through strong commercial acumen and hands-on analytical capability, it enables faster, sharper decision-making and positions finance as a trusted strategic partner to the business.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and embed a best-in-class finance operating model, driving standardisation, scalability, and continuous improvement across processes and ways of working.
• Drive finance transformation initiatives, modernising planning, reporting, and governance frameworks to align with business growth and strategic priorities.
• Establish and maintain a robust data and analytics capability, delivering a single source of truth and enabling consistent, high-quality reporting across the organisation.
• Enhance management reporting and dashboards, improving clarity, speed, and accessibility of insights to support business performance.
• Partner with executive and senior stakeholders to shape strategic decisions through clear communication, financial storytelling, and constructive challenge.
• Provide commercially focused analysis and scenario modelling to support investment decisions, growth initiatives, and performance optimisation.
• Build and lead a high-performing finance strategy and analytics capability, fostering a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure strong alignment between finance, commercial, and operational teams to drive integrated planning and performance management.
• Maintain a hands-on approach, engaging directly with financial models, data, and processes to ensure accuracy, credibility, and practical delivery.
• Lead knowledge transfer and training for implementation of new tools and processes to ensure 100% adoption across a global finance team and support understanding impact on finance target operating model.
• Lead FP&A activities, including budgeting, forecasting, performance analysis, and delivery of high-quality commercial insight to support decision-making.

Knowledge, skills and experience required:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, Business, or related degree, member of CIMA / ACCA or equivalent with minimum 5 years post qualified experience (PQE).
• Extensive experience in FP&A, with a strong track record of leading planning, forecasting, and performance management in complex, multi-entity environments.
• Proven leadership experience across finance transformation, operating model design, process optimisation and driving change.
• Demonstrated ability to build and scale finance capabilities in evolving or ambiguous environments, including establishing structure from the ground up.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to interpret financial data, identify key drivers of performance, and provide actionable insights.
• Advanced analytical and modelling skills, with experience in modern data, reporting, and visualisation tools.
• Use of Tagetik or Power BI is essential (ideally both).
• Experience developing and embedding data governance frameworks, including creation of a single source of truth and improved data integrity.
• Track record of influencing and partnering with senior executives, with the confidence to challenge and shape strategic decisions.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex financial information into clear, compelling narratives.
• Hands-on approach with a willingness to engage in detailed analysis, modelling, and problem-solving when required, with meticulous attention to detail, quality and accuracy.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management skills, collaborative with the ability to build credibility, drive alignment, foster a culture of continuous improvement and change.
• Highly organised individual able to prioritise multiple tasks and deliver to agreed timeframes.
• Open to occasional travel.

Collinson is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes differences in all their forms including: colour, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, neurodivergence, family status, age, individuals with disabilities and people from all backgrounds, cultures and experiences as we strongly believe this contributes to our on-going success.