Head of Transactional Finance | International Media Business | London (Hybrid)

Harmonic are delighted to be partnering with an established international media business on the search for a Head of Transactional Finance.

The Client

We're working with an established international media business with a sizeable UK finance operation and a clear need to modernise key transactional finance processes. The business is looking to strengthen service levels, improve efficiency, and bring stronger leadership across payroll and accounts payable. There is a particular focus on reviewing team structure, tightening controls, and improving the way finance partners with the wider business.

The Role

Reporting into senior finance leadership, this is a hands‐on transformation role with ownership across transactional finance, with immediate priority on payroll and accounts payable. There are clear opportunities to streamline processes, reduce manual effort, and lift service standards significantly across both areas. This role requires someone who is genuinely transformation‐minded rather than a caretaker of existing processes. The business has embedded ways of working that need to be challenged, improved, and replaced with a more proactive and commercially‐oriented finance service. You will need to be visible, credible with senior stakeholders, and willing to get into the detail to drive real change.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the transactional finance function with immediate focus on payroll and accounts payable.
• Assess current team structures, processes, and working practices, identifying and implementing meaningful improvements in efficiency and output.
• Drive a step‐change in AP processes, including invoice workflows, payment processing, and expenses management, reducing manual touchpoints and improving internal service levels.
• Review payroll controls and validation processes to ensure the function is operating effectively and proportionately, with greater use of existing system capability and reduced reliance on manual checking.
• Ensure expenses processes are fit for purpose, with appropriate compliance oversight and reduced escalation risk.
• Establish clear KPIs and service standards across the team, including query response times and resolution rates, building a more responsive and customer‐focused finance function.
• Act as a visible and proactive business partner to internal stakeholders, improving the reputation and standing of the finance function across the organisation.
• Identify and address operational, compliance, and control risks across payroll, AP, and expenses.
• Lead, develop, and motivate the team, building a culture of accountability, engagement, and continuous improvement.
• Ad‐hoc tasks to support the wider business function.

What we need to see (essential)

• Proven leadership experience across transactional finance, with strong exposure to payroll, AP, and broader finance operations.
• Demonstrable transformation experience, with clear evidence of improving processes, team structures, and service levels within a finance function.
• Strong business partnering and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build credibility at all levels of an organisation.
• A hands‐on approach and genuine appetite to drive change rather than inherit and maintain a status quo.
• Strong people leadership capability, with experience improving team productivity, setting clear expectations, and developing individuals.
• Good awareness of risk, controls, and compliance across transactional finance processes.
• Comfortable identifying underutilised system capability and driving better use of existing technology.

What we'd love to see (bonus)

• Experience within a media, rights, or subscription‐based business.
• Familiarity with Concur or similar expenses platforms.
• Exposure to outsourced payroll environments.

Salary: £90,000 - £95,000 + up to 30% bonus

Location: London, hybrid working (minimum of two days in the office)

Start Date: ASAP

At Harmonic, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace. We actively welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and assure you that every candidate will be thoughtfully considered for the roles we represent, without regard to race, religion, gender expression, disability, or sexual orientation.