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- Tasks: Lead the Finance Applications team and provide top-notch support to business units.
- Company: Join First Rail, a leading rail operator and part of FirstGroup.
- Benefits: Enjoy a full-time role with opportunities for growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in finance while working in a diverse and inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership and problem-solving skills, with experience in finance systems.
- Other info: Flexible working options available; we celebrate diversity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Lead and manage the Finance Applications team. Provide finance application support and development to business units within FirstGroup. Act as a trusted technical advisor to senior business stakeholders. Manage suppliers to support delivery of Finance applications.
Responsibilities
- Recruit, develop and manage a team on an ongoing basis.
- Set performance objectives and support development plans.
- Manage workload through a helpdesk ticketing tool.
- Manage first-line response support desk in line with SLAs.
- Work on projects and programmes as SME.
- Work with suppliers and internal teams to manage system changes compliantly.
- Manage finance applications through product lifecycle, ensuring compliance with security and audit requirements.
- Support improved business practices through an effective governance framework.
- Support senior stakeholders in developing strategy and improvement plans.
- Implement governance framework to review issues and implement best practice solutions.
- Work with other IT teams to advise on changes and deliver improvements.
- Manage supplier delivery to SLAs and contracts, build relationships and review service regularly.
Qualifications
- Leadership.
- Robust problem‑solving and analytical skills.
- Team management experience.
- Self‑starter, results‑driven with high motivation and initiative.
- Ability to work under pressure.
- Work independently and as part of a team.
- Finance systems and processes knowledge.
- Experience working in a busy Finance environment.
- Applications development and management.
- Experience in IT Applications, preferably SAP.
- Background in a Finance environment.
- Knowledge of peripheral applications (payroll, revenue, engineering, payments).
- Understanding of server and networking architecture (advantage).
- Appropriate IT qualifications and experience.
Seniority level: Director
Employment type: Full‑time
Job function: Information Technology
Industries: Rail Transportation
We all belong at First Rail. FirstGroup’s vision is to provide an inclusive environment for all colleagues, across its group of businesses, ensuring all candidates have an equal opportunity to access meaningful employment. We value our differences such as age, gender, LGBTQIA+, ethnicity, religion, and disability. We maintain a zero tolerance towards any form of prejudice towards our colleagues, customers, and future talent. We celebrate and encourage diversity of thought, progressive ways of working and seeing all our colleagues grow and thrive. We review all roles and job descriptions to ensure they are accessible and, where possible, we support and provide flexible working options; we recommend that you refer to each vacancy description for further details. If you require additional support to complete your application due to a disability or neurodivergent condition, for example, dyslexia, dyspraxia, or autism, please follow the links below. We encourage you to share any additional needs you may require so we can provide a fair and equal process for all who apply.
Head of Application Support - Finance in England employer: First Rail
Contact Detail:
First Rail Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Application Support - Finance in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and IT sectors. 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 First Rail and its finance applications. Show us that you understand their needs and how your skills can help them achieve their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your problem-solving skills! Be ready to tackle real-world scenarios during interviews, especially those related to finance systems and application support.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed and shows us you’re serious about joining the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Application Support - Finance in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Application Support role. Highlight your leadership experience and any relevant finance systems knowledge. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for our team at First Rail. Share specific examples of your problem-solving skills and team management experience.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t forget to mention your experience with finance applications, especially if you’ve worked with SAP or similar systems. We’re keen on seeing how you can manage and develop these applications effectively.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at First Rail
✨Know Your Finance Applications
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of finance applications, especially those relevant to the role like SAP. Be prepared to discuss how you've managed or supported these systems in previous roles, as this will show your technical expertise and understanding of the finance environment.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Application Support, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership abilities. Think of examples where you've successfully led a team, set performance objectives, or developed team members. This will help you convey your capability to manage and inspire others effectively.
✨Prepare for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect to face questions that assess your problem-solving and analytical skills. Prepare specific examples of challenges you've encountered in finance application support and how you resolved them. This will highlight your ability to think critically under pressure.
✨Understand Governance and Compliance
Familiarise yourself with governance frameworks and compliance requirements related to finance applications. Be ready to discuss how you've implemented best practices in previous roles, as this will demonstrate your commitment to maintaining high standards in application management.