At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial accounting and reporting across the UK and Benelux, driving transformation and innovation.
- Company: Join DS Smith, a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus, 25 days holiday, pension scheme, and employee assistance programme.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive culture focused on sustainability and positive change.
- Why this job: Shape the future of business services and make a lasting impact through leadership and innovation.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
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!
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.
Head of Business Services - R2R in Caerphilly employer: DS Smith
At DS Smith, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in our Caerphilly Business Services hub. As the Head of R2R, 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, including a generous holiday allowance and opportunities for professional growth, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our organisation and making a meaningful impact across the UK and Benelux.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Business Services - R2R in Caerphilly
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those who work in R2R or similar roles. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings and even referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s values and recent projects. Show us how your experience aligns with their goals, especially around transformation and automation. We love candidates who can bring fresh perspectives!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your interest. It keeps you on their radar and shows your enthusiasm.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance at landing that role! We’re always looking for talent that fits our culture and values, so make sure your application stands out by showcasing your leadership and innovation skills.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Business Services - R2R in Caerphilly
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 the R2R function and how you plan to drive continuous improvement.
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your past roles, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to lead high-performing teams and manage complex finance environments. Numbers speak volumes, so include metrics where possible to show your impact!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. 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
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Head of R2R, 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 how you've driven transformation in past roles, particularly through collaboration with technology teams. Share concrete examples of successful projects that led to operational excellence.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
Since this is a senior leadership role, expect questions around long-term strategy and governance. Think about how you would set the strategic roadmap for the R2R function and be ready to articulate your vision for driving continuous improvement and digital transformation.
