At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and enhance global business applications, ensuring seamless user support and system integrity.
- Company: Join Collinson, a leader in travel experiences and customer engagement solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive day rate, flexible working environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace focused on personal and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic team while shaping the future of travel technology.
- Qualifications: Qualified Accountant with experience in finance and HR applications; strong analytical skills required.
Collinson is the global, privately-owned company dedicated to helping the world to travel with ease and confidence. The group offers a unique blend of industry and sector specialists who together provide market-leading airport experiences, loyalty and customer engagement, and insurance solutions for over 400 million consumers.
Collinson is the operator of Priority Pass, the world’s original and leading airport experiences programme. Travellers can access a network of 1,500+ lounges and travel experiences, including dining, retail, sleep and spa, in over 650 airports in 148 countries, helping to elevate the journey into something special. We work with the world’s leading payment networks, over 1,400 banks, 90 airlines and 20 hotel groups worldwide.
We have been bringing innovation to the market since inception – from launching the first independent global VIP lounge access Programme, Priority Pass to being the first to sell direct travel insurance in the UK through Columbus Direct and creating the first loyalty agency of its kind in the travel sector with ICLP. Today we still invest heavily in innovation to ensure that we continue to deliver superior customer experiences.
Key clients include Mastercard, American Express, Cathay Pacific, British Airways, LATAM, Flying Blue, Accor, EasyJet, HSBC, Chase, HDFC.
Our mission is focused on doing good beyond profit, which for us means we seek out opportunities for our people to share in our success and that we give back to the communities and people within which we work. Never short of ambition, the success of our business is delivered through the diverse and talented team of over 2,200 global colleagues.
Purpose of the job
The Head of Business Applications (GBA) role joins our Global Business Systems Team supporting applications, across our portfolio, including but not limited to MS Dynamics 365 F&O, Workday (being implemented in phases from early 2026) and MS Office Applications in relation to the Modern Workplace. The role reports into the Director of Global Business Applications. Users to be supported across our global offices, with core Finance users based in Cape Town.
Role is pivotal to remaining phases of the MS Dynamics 365 F&O Project being deployed as well and further “run and maintain” support mode in the coming 12+ months, with less reliance on external support partners. To work / partner with our external support partners to further develop and maintain systems and processes, including delivery enhancements. Explore the ongoing product enhancements that are delivered as part of both MS Dynamics and Workday. To review AI opportunities and how they can be used to streamline recurring / repetitive tasks as well as utilising them as part of the support offering to the end users. Drive further expansion of MSD across the globe to countries not in original phases of the project. To manage user support and training, troubleshooting, and problem solving.
Key Responsibilities
- Responsible for the integrity of including but not limited to MS Dynamics, Kofax OCR, Zoho, Cascade, (Workday in the future), Docentric, Access Dimensions, Banking / Treasury systems.
- Responsible for the uptime of the applications, together with managing upgrades / enhancements.
- Identify, propose and implement process improvements across key Finance processes, for example across Purchase to Pay or Order to Cash.
- Management of the support team, including looking to develop the team in each of their roles.
- Ensure system permissions are in line with delegated authorities and approval limits.
- Ownership of the procedures to support an effective control environment for GBA systems.
- Support / lead various projects / BAU Enhancements and initiatives from a GBA perspective.
- Provide a professional and approachable point of contact for stakeholders.
- Support and where required to lead in Audits, both Internal and External.
- Ensure SLAs are tracked and met across Finance Applications and thereafter Workday.
- Liaise with Group Finance, act as key finance partner for system support.
- Oversee the development of new applications, as well as manage technical support to users.
Knowledge, skills and experience required
- Qualified Accountant and experience of Finance and HR applications.
- Possess strong analytical / problem-solving skills, work independently and in a team environment.
- Experience of succeeding in a deadline driven environment.
- Experience of high-volume businesses.
- Strong MS Office skills, especially Excel.
- Able to communicate confidently and effectively at all levels within an organisation.
- High level of accuracy and strong attention to detail.
- Proficiency in IT systems and software.
- Good communication and customer service skills.
- Ability to prioritize tasks and work independently.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively collaborate with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Previous experience in IT or application management roles is often preferred.
Person Specification
- Experience of managing a team of 4 to 5 individuals across global locations.
- Managing / directing the team with the ability to lead / direct operations and BAU Enhancements.
- Ability to provide input to the GBS RoadMap and understand how operations feed into it as well.
- Demonstrates strong organizational skills, working to strict deadlines.
- Commercially aware, delivers results and can identify opportunities for cost saving and efficiencies.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and collaboration skills.
- Demonstrates excellent technical skills and is an excellent problem solver.
- Good Team player, able to work with wide variety of stakeholders.
- Demonstrates good written communication skills, including documentation and correspondence.
- Demonstrates ability to be flexible and adaptable.
- Ability to work in a dynamic and fast paced environment.
- Organizational and leadership skills.
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.
We are focused on continually evolving our purpose driven, high performing culture, providing an environment where our people have the opportunity to achieve their full potential and do interesting and meaningful work. Our company values are: Take Action, Do the right thing, One team and Be insight led. These help guide everything we do internally in terms of how we think, act and interact, right through to how we deliver value to our customers and clients.
In your application, please feel free to note which pronouns you use (For example - she/her/hers, he/him/his, they/them/theirs, etc). If you need any extra support throughout the interview process, then please email us at ukrecruitment@collinsongroup.com.
Contract Senior Manager, Group Business Applications in London employer: Collinson
Collinson is an excellent employer that fosters a dynamic and collaborative work culture, where creativity and innovation are encouraged. With a strong focus on employee growth, the company offers numerous opportunities for professional development and career advancement, particularly in the vibrant travel sector. Located in a thriving industry hub, employees benefit from a supportive environment that values client engagement and meaningful contributions to the business.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Contract Senior Manager, Group Business Applications in London
✨Tap into Consulting Networks
Get active in local management consulting networks and organisations. Attend meetups, workshops, or webinars specific to consulting where you can connect with professionals who may know of temporary roles opening up at places like Collinson. Don’t underestimate word-of-mouth – it’s massive in our field!
✨Show Off Your Skills in Real-Time
As a temporary hire, you need to demonstrate your value quickly. Consider creating a mini-case study or analysis relevant to the industry and share it on platforms like LinkedIn or even during networking events. This can be an impressive way to showcase your analytical skills and problem-solving prowess – just what consulting firms are looking for!
✨Check for Temporary Roles on Niche Job Boards
Look for temporary roles on specialised job boards for consulting gigs rather than just generic platforms. Websites like Consultancy.uk or even the Careers pages of major firms could have short-term projects or roles that are perfect for you to jump in at Collinson.
✨Leverage University and Alumni Resources
If you’re fresh out of uni or connected with a local institution, take advantage of their career services and alumni networks. Many universities have exclusive connections to consulting firms seeking temporary help. Plus, it’s a great way to meet other aspiring consultants who might share leads about opportunities at Collinson.
We think you need these skills to ace Contract Senior Manager, Group Business Applications in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:In management consulting, employers love to see your problem-solving abilities right from the get-go. Be sure to highlight any relevant analytical projects you've worked on, particularly those that show how you tackled complex problems. If you’ve done any case studies or analysis during your studies, throw those in your CV!
Tailor Your Experience for the Role:Since this is a temporary position, your application should reflect your adaptability and relevant experience quite clearly. Focus on showcasing experiences that demonstrate your ability to hit the ground running, like previous projects, internships, or freelance gigs in consulting or project management.
Craft a Targeted Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to sparkle! Use it to explain why you're interested in this temporary role at Collinson and how your skills suit the specific project needs. Remember to mention how you can provide immediate value based on your past experiences.
Include Certifications or Relevant Training:If you've got any certifications like PMP, Six Sigma, or even coursework that’s super relevant, make sure to list those in your application. Management consulting can be competitive, and these extra qualifications can help you stand out in the recruitment process.
How to prepare for a job interview at Collinson
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In management consulting, case study interviews are a big deal. Expect to tackle real-world business problems on the spot. We should practise structuring our thoughts, developing hypotheses, and presenting our solutions clearly, as this is what firms like Collinson will want to see.
✨Show Off Your Problem-Solving Skills
You’ll need to demonstrate strong analytical skills and logical reasoning. Brush up on frameworks like SWOT or Porter's Five Forces, as these can come in handy. Think of instances from your experience where you tackled a complex issue—this could set you apart when speaking to Collinson.
✨Highlight Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary role, it's crucial we showcase our ability to hit the ground running. Have examples ready that illustrate how we've adapted quickly in past positions or projects. This shows that we can contribute effectively from day one at Collinson.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Cultural Fit
Temporary roles often come with a focus on team dynamics. Prepare to discuss how we align with the values and culture at Collinson. We want to highlight our teamwork experiences and how we can mesh with their consulting teams, making it clear that we're not just looking to fill a spot but to add value.
