At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial accounting and reporting frameworks across the UK and Benelux.
- Company: Join DS Smith, a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 25 days holiday, pension scheme, and employee assistance programme.
- Other info: Opportunity to make a lasting impact through leadership and talent development.
- Why this job: Shape the future of business services and drive innovation in finance.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong leadership experience in complex finance environments.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
We're looking for a Head of Record to Report (R2R) to lead our financial accounting, compliance, and reporting frameworks across the UK and Benelux. Based in our Caerphilly Business Services hub, this is a high-impact senior leadership role with responsibility for maintaining robust financial integrity, ensuring adherence to regulatory and statutory requirements, and upholding strong governance and control frameworks. This role goes beyond operational leadership - you will bring a fresh perspective, challenge ways of working, and drive continuous improvement, standardisation, and digital transformation, particularly through close partnership with our Automation and Technology teams. As part of the Business Services senior leadership team, you'll lead and inspire a large, high-performing function, shaping both long-term strategy and organisational capability, while fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous development.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and develop a large R2R function (c.40 FTE), setting the strategic roadmap and contributing to Business Services leadership, governance, and long-term planning.
- Manage the associated R2R processes across multiple geographies, ensuring strong financial control, SOX compliance, audit readiness, and balance sheet integrity.
- Drive transformation through process optimisation, standardisation, and automation, working closely with technology teams to deliver scalable solutions.
- Build strong stakeholder partnerships across UK & Benelux, fostering a high-performance culture, managing risk, and developing future talent while deputising for the Director when required.
About You:
- Qualified accountant (ACCA, ACA, CIMA or equivalent) with strong senior leadership experience in complex, multi-layered finance environments.
- Strategic leader with a proven track record in transformation, process optimisation, and automation, bringing fresh thinking and challenging the status quo.
- Strong expertise in financial controls, compliance, and SOX, with the ability to balance governance and operational excellence.
- Strong people and stakeholder leadership skills, with experience building high-performing teams, developing talent, and influencing across geographies and functions.
Why Join:
- Play a key leadership role shaping the future of a major Business Services centre.
- Lead a high-impact function at the heart of financial integrity and business decision-making.
- Drive automation, transformation, and operational excellence at scale.
- Work with a diverse international stakeholder group across UK and Benelux.
- Opportunity to make a lasting impact through leadership, innovation, and talent development.
Benefits:
- A competitive salary and discretionary bonus.
- 25 days' holiday + bank holidays.
- Pension scheme, life assurance, income protection.
- Employee assistance programme and digital GP access.
- Cycle to work scheme and discounts on shopping, travel and more.
Location: Caerphilly
About us: We are DS Smith, together with International Paper, we are a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions and other fibre-based products. We believe a better, more sustainable tomorrow is possible with the right people, who challenge and support one another to enact positive change. We employ more than 65,000 colleagues in North America and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), who are experts in innovation, manufacturing, design, sales, sustainability, supply chain, and much more. Together with our customers, we make the world safer and more productive, one sustainable packaging solution at a time.
Become part of a world-leading organisation and do your best work with us!
Fair recruitment at DS Smith: To fulfil our purpose of redefining packaging for a changing world, we aim to build a diverse, motivated, and engaged workforce. Our goal is to create a culture of inclusion where everyone is treated fairly, differences are valued, and everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed. Our people come from diverse backgrounds, bring different perspectives, ideas and experiences to generate unique solutions focused on present and future sustainability challenges. We welcome all candidates to apply, even those not meeting all criteria.
Locations
Head of Business Services in Caerphilly, Wales employer: DS SMITH PACKAGING LIMITED
At DS Smith, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in our Caerphilly Business Services hub. As the Head of Business Services, you will lead a high-performing team while driving innovation and transformation in financial processes, all within a culture that values diversity, accountability, and continuous development. With competitive benefits, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to make a significant impact in a global leader in sustainable packaging, joining us means being part of a forward-thinking organisation committed to shaping a better tomorrow.
Contact Details:
DS SMITH PACKAGING LIMITED Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Business Services in Caerphilly, Wales
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and business services sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're not just looking for any job, but the right fit for both you and them.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your leadership stories! As a potential Head of R2R, you’ll need to showcase your experience in leading teams and driving transformation. Prepare specific examples that highlight your strategic thinking and ability to challenge the status quo.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at DS Smith and contributing to our mission of sustainable packaging solutions.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Business Services in Caerphilly, Wales
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Head of R2R role. Highlight your leadership experience, financial controls expertise, and any transformation projects you've led. We want to see how you can bring fresh thinking to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you the perfect fit. Don’t forget to mention your strategic vision for driving automation and process optimisation.
Showcase Your Leadership Style:In your application, give us a glimpse of your leadership style. Share examples of how you've built high-performing teams and fostered a culture of accountability and innovation. We’re keen to know how you inspire others!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at DS SMITH PACKAGING LIMITED
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Head of Record to Report, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and compliance standards relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss how you've maintained financial integrity and ensured SOX compliance in previous positions.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role requires strong people leadership skills. Prepare examples of how you've built high-performing teams and fostered a culture of accountability and innovation. Think about specific instances where you’ve influenced stakeholders across different geographies.
✨Emphasise Transformation Experience
Highlight your experience with process optimisation and automation. Be prepared to discuss specific projects where you've driven transformation and how you partnered with technology teams to deliver scalable solutions. This will show your ability to challenge the status quo.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
Since this is a senior leadership role, be ready to talk about your strategic vision for the R2R function. Think about how you would set the strategic roadmap and contribute to long-term planning. Show that you can think beyond operational leadership and drive continuous improvement.
