Senior Finance Systems Manager

Location: London, GB Glasgow, GB Edinburgh, GB GB

Department/Division : Finance
Duration : Permanent
Location : UK
Reports to : Head of Finance UK
Direct Reports : Senior Finance Systems Project Lead/Finance Systems Team Leader/BI Team
Type of Role : Hybrid/Remote
Budget Responsibilities : Yes

Reference Number : 7736

Finance team

The Finance team of Dentons UK and Middle East LLP is a vibrant, capable team based in UK, Dubai, Ireland and Poland and supports all aspects of the firm’s financial requirements from the provision of strategic support through to detailed transactional processing, with a key focus on providing high-quality customer service to our internal clients. The Finance systems function provides support to the various sub-teams in Finance including working capital, cashiers & AP, management accounts and tax but also the wider business services functions and our legal services operation. This role is key in the Finance leadership team working closely with the Head of Finance, the Head of Commercial Finance and other Finance senior managers.

We are about to launch our new practice management system, Elite 3E and this role will be instrumental in the success of that project.

The Role

The role is responsible for managing a bespoke team of Finance systems specialists and BI Developers and Reporting specialists to ensure the smooth running and continuous improvement of our Finance systems and reporting cube. This position will be crucial in determining our Finance systems strategy over the short, medium and long term. It will also be focused on delivering system upgrades and functional changes, advising on systems configurations, systems maintenance, data management and user support and training, all of which is critical to our business as we continue to grow.

As a technical expert, the Senior Finance Systems Manager will be key to facilitating and developing the use of systems and technology across the firm, promoting best practice and liaising with senior stakeholders to ensure business needs are met. This role will build and maintain relationships with internal stakeholders and key third parties and ensure effective communication and feedback channels and work closely with other departments, such as IT to facilitate and deliver systems improvements and manage change control across various functional areas.

Responsibilities

• Managing and maintaining the financial technology infrastructure ensuring it is effective, secure, compliant and aligned to the firm’s operational needs.
• Business owner of the 3E platform for the firm.
• Ownership of additional systems related to Finance processes including Emburse (Chrome River), Intapp Time, Enable Revenue Manager (Time Policy Manager).
• Maintain data integrity of the Practice Management System and databases and their interfaces.
• Develop and oversee the Finance systems team and ensure its optimally structured to support the firm and its strategic goals.
• Ensure system upgrades take place with new releases and that processes are in place to thoroughly test the systems to avoid adverse consequences for the firm.
• Ensure we maintain Finance systems integrity by running and reviewing month end reconciliations of financial data and performing systems balancing procedures.
• Reviewing, revising and documenting the teams operating procedures and working practices to ensure that they are efficient and effective in meeting the department’s / firm’s goals.
• Assisting with developing financial systems and procedures to ensure we are compliant and are using the systems to the best of the firm’s ability and drive innovation and efficiency.
• Oversee key Elite processes such as the month and year end close, foreign exchange maintenance and other activities relating to the system.
• Oversee scheduled and ad-hoc report generation via SQL, Standard reports or Reporting services and work with BI and Reporting team to develop enhancements to dashboards.
• Manage the escalation of issues and informing stakeholders of any impact to key Finance systems.
• Partnering with IT in agreeing resources and approaches needed to ensure reliable and robust services.
• Manage vendor relationships and advance strategic roadmaps.
• Responsible for system audit processes and communications with firm’s auditors.
• Project management and coordinator for Finance systems related projects.
• Build and maintain relationships with internal stakeholders and key third parties, ensure effective communication and feedback channels.
• Promote, introduce, install and develop systems that benefit the Finance Department, Timekeepers and the wider firm.

Required experience, skills, and attributes

Technical skills

• A minimum of 10 years’ experience of working with financial systems within an international law firm.
• Advanced knowledge of the Elite 3E system.
• Knowledge of ARCS 2G/ARCS 3G.
• Detailed knowledge of IntApp product suite including Open, Time, Walls, Integrate.
• Knowledge of Emburse Enterprise (formerly Chrome River) or similar expense/invoice platform.
• Proven SQL Skills 2008+ and experience with SSRS are valuable.
• Knowledge of PowerBI.
• Knowledge of system integrations, APIs, middleware and ETL processes.
• Experience with robotic process automation (RPA) useful.
• Experience of Microsoft Azure environment highly beneficial.

Personal attributes

• Ability to manage and inspire team members (including those who are not direct reports), together with the willingness to share knowledge and experience to build up skill levels within the team.
• Experience of overseeing a multi-locational team.
• A strong operational accounting background.
• Expert stakeholder management, demonstrating ability to work efficiently and smoothly in demanding situations.
• Proficient project management experience with the ability to handle multiple work streams and prioritise accordingly.
• Working within a structured project framework and able to manage projects from inception to delivery.
• Broad experience of Finance systems and system integrations.
• Self-motivated and wishing to affect change, with a record of positive outcomes.
• Customer focused, flexible, results driven and used to operating in a period of change.
• Capable of contributing productively to collaborative efforts, while also adept at engaging constructively with colleagues across various roles within an inclusive team setting.
• Able to work efficiently with little instruction while exemplifying self-management.
• Comfortable working in fast paced, productive environment, skilfully handling evolving needs and technological advancements.

Firm Profile

Across more than 80 countries, Dentons helps you grow, protect, operate and finance your organisation by providing uniquely global and deeply local legal solutions. Polycentric, purpose-driven and committed to inclusion, diversity, equity and sustainability, we focus on what matters most to you.

Inclusion and Diversity

We are committed to building an inclusive culture here at Dentons where our people can thrive, regardless of their background or circumstance. As well as being the right thing to do, it makes good business sense too. A richness of backgrounds, experiences and perspectives helps us best serve our clients and the communities in which we operate.

Dentons is committed to providing equal opportunities for all. We welcome applications from everyone including of any age, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, neurodiversity, disability, or with parental or caring responsibilities. We also offer flexible working hours.

During the application process, all applicants have the opportunity to tell us about any adjustments or support they require so they are able to perform at their best. Any information you share with us during the application process is treated in confidence.

If you are interested in applying for this position, we welcome direct applications via our careers page, but if you have any questions beforehand, please email . Enquiries only please – applications will not be accepted via email.

Please note that we will not accept unsolicited CVs sent to the business, nor will we accept any associated terms of business.

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