Group Finance Systems Manager (Maternity Cover) in London

Location: UK, Remote

Contract type: Fixed-term, 10 months

Purpose of Role

The Group Finance Systems Manager reports directly to the Group Head of Financial Control. The role is to support the Group Finance function and work collaboratively with the wider Finance Systems team to achieve the needs of the financial systems Steerco and ensure the maintenance, future development and effective operation of the Group’s chosen financial systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategy
  • Align the finance system with finance functions to support current and future operational needs.
  • Ensure that key financial processes and controls are consistently followed and effectively supported by the system.
  • Translate strategic objectives into actionable system initiatives.
• Stakeholder Management
  • Partner with internal stakeholders including Finance, IT, Operations, and other business units to gather requirements and set system priorities.
  • Maintain strong communication channels to ensure system goals support broader business strategy.
  • Facilitate alignment between strategic governance and operational execution.
• Roadmap
  • Develop and maintain a detailed system roadmap to ensure continual evolution of the finance system in line with business needs.
  • Prioritise initiatives based on impact, value, and available resources, ensuring alignment with budgets and available resource.
  • Communicate roadmap updates and delivery progress to stakeholders through steerco.
• Governance
  • Lead the finance system governance process through a cross-functional steering committee.
  • Ensure governance decisions are aligned with business objectives, risk management, and regulatory compliance.
  • Track and report on governance decisions, outcomes, and KPIs.
• Budget Management
  • Manage system-related contracts, licenses, renewals, and vendor relationships.
  • Collaborate with finance teams to ensure accurate forecasting, cost control, and ROI for system investments.
  • Develop business cases for enhancements and ensure they meet cost-benefit criteria.
• Business as Usual Operations
  • Oversee day-to-day operations of the finance system including user access, support requests, system monitoring, and maintenance.
  • Ensure timely issue resolution and continuously improve operational performance.
  • Provide and maintain training materials, documentation, and support for end-users to enhance adoption and proficiency.

Skills, Qualifications and Experience

• Educated to Degree level
• Experience in business partnering finance function
• Strong demonstrable experience and understanding of NetSuite in a similar sized, multi-currency, multi-country business
• Solid accounting knowledge and experience
• Experience leading teams and developing and motivating staff
• Project/change management experience in an agile environment
• Ability to work on multiple tasks simultaneously, ensuring successful completion
• Organised, decisive and independent
• Ability to communicate effectively and persuasively to both internal and external stakeholders, across all levels of the business
• Excellent problem-solving ability
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to mentor and motivate others
• Excellent written & spoken interpersonal skills

ISP Principles

• Begin with our children and students. Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Simply, their success is our success.
• Wellbeing and safety are both essential for learners and learning. Therefore, we are consistent in identifying potential safeguarding and Health & Safety issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately.
• Treat everyone with care and respect. We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences and promote the well-being of self and others.
• Operate effectively. We focus relentlessly on the things that are most important and will make the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody the shared ideas of our community.
• Are financially responsible. We make financial choices carefully based on the needs of the children, students and our schools.
• Learn continuously. Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement.

ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles

ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures, including an online due diligence search, references and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years’ employment history.

ISP Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

ISP is committed to strengthening our inclusive culture by identifying, hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing teammates regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender expression, age, disability status, neurodivergence, socio-economic background or other demographic characteristics. Candidates who share our vision and principles and are interested in contributing to the success of ISP through this role are strongly encouraged to apply.