At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance systems to optimise performance and support business growth.
- Company: Join Halma plc, a FTSE 50 leader in safety, health, and environmental solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse workforce, and opportunities for continuous learning.
- Other info: Dynamic team culture focused on collaboration and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on finance systems that drive a safer, cleaner future.
- Qualifications: Strong finance knowledge, tech-savvy, and excellent communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Help grow a safer, cleaner, healthier future for everyone, every day.
The Company
Halma plc is a FTSE 50 listed company on the London Stock Exchange and has a market capitalisation of approximately £15bn plus (May 2026). Building on its heritage as a manufacturer of intelligent sensors and products, it is a market leader in providing solutions and technology that deliver on its purpose of growing a safer, cleaner, healthier future for everyone, every day. It has around 50 businesses with solutions that address needs in three sectors (Healthcare, Environmental & Analysis and Safety). Its businesses operate in more than 20 countries across Europe, North and South America and Asia, supplying customers in 160 countries and employing more than 8,500 people worldwide. It is one of the top performing businesses in the FTSE index with twenty-two successive years of record revenues and profits. For the financial year 2024-2025, revenue was circa £2.2bn and profit was circa £0.5bn. It has increased its dividend by at least 5% every year for the last 40+ years – an achievement unrivalled by any company quoted on the LSE.
Halma’s strategy is powered by its purpose. It is focused on acquiring and growing businesses in global niche markets, in its chosen areas of safety, health and environment. It grows organically through its core and M&A. In addition, it grows through innovation, creating solutions for its customers through platforms, data and connectivity, which is done through its convergence (new business models, products, services) and edge (digital business models) strategies. Halma’s ambition is to double every 5 years. It measures its achievements and rewards performance by setting challenging targets, closely monitoring performance and rewarding its people. Lastly, it supports its companies through Growth Enablers, which helps its companies deliver on their growth strategies. Halma encourages the sharing of best practices, debating ideas with colleagues and fostering collaborative teamwork. It has low egos, an aversion to politics and bureaucracy with a get it done mindset. Halma’s strength and success comes from attracting exceptional people. Halma is committed to building a diverse workforce in which difference is embraced. A diverse workforce in which difference is embraced is a competitive advantage and is reflective of our customers and the world in which we operate. We believe in continuous learning and development; in short, invest in our people to help them excel.
The Role
Halma has a unique operating model with a decentralised structure. Halma’s autonomous (decentralised) model means most Operating Companies (OpCos) are run as locally-managed, autonomous businesses with decision-making kept close to customers and markets. OpCos can choose an ERP that best fits their local operating reality, resulting in a broad range of different local ERP systems. The OpCos submit monthly actuals and forecasts into the global consolidation and reporting system called CCH Tagetik. In addition, the Group Finance function uses other finance systems including Anaplan for Head Office Overheads Reporting, Kyriba for Treasury Operations, RiskHub for Risk Management and Concur for Expense Management.
The purpose of the role is to maximise the value derived from finance systems by acting as the bridge between business users and technology teams to ensure systems deliver against business needs. The role would deliver on continuous improvement priorities in the short term and build the alignment to the mid-term vision and roadmap for finance systems. In essence, the role ensures that finance technology architecture delivers current business requirements and can support business growth, regulatory compliance, and decision-making required for the future.
Key Responsibilities
- Product Owner for the critical finance consolidation system (Tagetik) and other finance systems (Sage, Anaplan, Concur, Kyriba and RiskHub) in service meeting the business needs of the Halma companies and functional SMEs in the Group/Sector.
- Accountable for configuration, on-going management and updates to Halma’s finance systems.
- Optimise the finance systems and process to enable predictable, compliant, controlled and efficient outputs on time with minimum errors, delays and manual effort.
- Lead cross functional teams that include finance, technology and 3rd Party vendors to determine root causes, troubleshoot and resolve defects in finance systems in accordance with internal service level agreements.
- Identify knowledge gaps through observation, monitoring system usage, case management ticket analysis, and regular conversations with key stakeholders. Propose specific training based on findings.
- Define and prioritise the finance process improvements, blueprint and roadmap, in partnership with the technology and business teams, ensuring clear alignment between business priorities, technology delivery, cost to implement versus added value at stake. Act as a single point of contact for all business demand.
- Influence stakeholders and drive clarity in execution of finance systems roadmap, ensuring successful and consistent rollout of business deliverables across the group.
- In partnership with the Technology team, monitor and input into the performance management and course correction where required of the finance system vendors and AMS partners.
- Build and lead a Finance Systems team with capability across systems, data, and finance process excellence and a culture of discipline and continuous improvement.
Personal Characteristics
- Strong business partnering skills, putting the needs of the organisation above all else.
- Strong presentation and communication skills. Has a knack for making the complex simple when explaining technical concepts.
- Highly dependable, organized, reliable and proactive.
- Operates with a sense of urgency and commitment to deadlines.
- Able to set up team routines and disciplines to ensure consistent timely delivery in line with user expectations.
- Realistic, straightforward problem solver and practical thinker.
- Analyse opportunities and prioritise them.
- Ability to influence across the organisational levels.
- Understands finance processes and stakeholder priorities.
- Experience in developing, implementing, and using operating systems/technology for financial reporting and insights.
- Able to understand and connect the dots between the different financial statements (P&L, B/S and CF) and different periods (Prior Year, Current Year and Forecast Year). With this understanding, identify potential knock on impacts and communicate implications of changes to non-financial stakeholders.
- Proven leader in identifying, coaching, training and developing diverse talent.
- Passion for continuous improvement in service of growing system users’ satisfaction.
- Entrepreneurial in nature with a strong drive to succeed.
The Team
Reports to: Director of Finance, Performance and Insights
Direct Reports: Finance Systems Manager, Reporting and Data Specialist and Finance Systems Analyst.
Head of Finance Systems & Data in Basingstoke employer: Halma plc
Halma plc is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that prioritises collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning. With a commitment to employee growth and a diverse workforce, Halma empowers its team members to excel while contributing to meaningful solutions in safety, health, and environmental sectors. Located in a thriving market, employees benefit from a decentralised structure that fosters autonomy and encourages the sharing of best practices across its global operations.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance Systems & Data in Basingstoke
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry on LinkedIn or at events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their mission of creating a safer, cleaner, healthier future, and think about how you can contribute to that vision.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills during interviews. Use real-life examples to demonstrate how you've tackled challenges in finance systems and data management. Make it relatable and relevant!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can keep you top of mind and show your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it’s just good manners!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance Systems & Data in Basingstoke
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Head of Finance Systems & Data role. Highlight relevant experience and skills that align with Halma's focus on finance systems and data management. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background fits with Halma's purpose of creating a safer, cleaner, healthier future. Keep it engaging and personal!
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, don’t forget to highlight your problem-solving abilities. We love candidates who can simplify complex issues and drive clarity in execution. Share examples of how you've tackled challenges in finance systems before!
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’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Halma plc
✨Know Your Systems Inside Out
Make sure you’re familiar with the finance systems mentioned in the job description, like CCH Tagetik, Anaplan, and Kyriba. Be ready to discuss how you've used similar systems in the past and how you can optimise them for Halma's needs.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've tackled complex issues in finance systems before. Highlight your ability to analyse problems, identify root causes, and implement effective solutions. This will demonstrate your practical thinking and problem-solving prowess.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Since the role requires strong presentation and communication skills, practice explaining technical concepts in simple terms. You might be asked to present a case or idea, so being able to make the complex simple is key!
✨Emphasise Your Team Leadership Experience
Be ready to discuss your experience in leading cross-functional teams. Share specific instances where you’ve influenced stakeholders and driven projects to success, showcasing your ability to build a culture of continuous improvement.