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- Tasks: Lead and manage the Finance Applications team, providing support and development.
- Company: Join First Rail, a leading rail and bus operator in the UK.
- Benefits: Inclusive environment, flexible working options, and opportunities for growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by supporting finance applications and driving improvements.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership, problem-solving skills, and finance systems knowledge required.
- Other info: Diversity is celebrated; we encourage all backgrounds to apply.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 Ā£ per year.
First Rail, part of FirstGroup, is one of the leading rail operators and the largest bus operator in the UK.
About the job
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 problemāsolving and analytical skills.
- Team management experience.
- Selfāstarter, resultsādriven 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.
Equal Employment Opportunity
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 London employer: First Rail
Contact Detail:
First Rail Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice š¤«
We think this is how you could land Head of Application Support - Finance in London
āØTip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and IT sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and donāt be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
āØTip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their finance applications and how they operate. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
āØTip Number 3
Practice your problem-solving skills! As a Head of Application Support, you'll need to demonstrate your analytical abilities. Consider mock interviews or case studies to sharpen your responses to potential challenges.
āØTip Number 4
Donāt forget to apply through our website! Itās the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our brand.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Application Support - Finance in London
Some tips for your application š«”
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!
Showcase Your Achievements: Donāt just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples that demonstrate your problem-solving skills and how you've improved processes in previous roles. This helps us see the impact you can make.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and concise. Avoid jargon unless it's relevant to the role. We appreciate straightforward communication, so make it easy for us to understand your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you donāt miss out on any important updates. Plus, itās super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at First Rail
āØKnow Your Finance Applications
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of finance applications, especially SAP. Be ready to discuss how you've managed or supported these systems in the past, and think about specific examples where you've improved processes or resolved issues.
āØShowcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Application Support, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership abilities. Prepare to talk about your experience in managing teams, setting performance objectives, and how you've supported team development. Share specific instances where your leadership made a difference.
āØUnderstand the Business Context
Familiarise yourself with First Rail and its operations within the finance sector. Understand their challenges and how your role can contribute to their success. This will help you position yourself as a trusted advisor during the interview.
āØPrepare for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect to face questions that assess your problem-solving and analytical skills. Think of examples where you've tackled complex issues, particularly in a busy finance environment. Be ready to explain your thought process and the outcomes of your actions.
