Global Finance Operations Director in Leeds

We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Global Financial Operations Director to lead financial operations across Kennedys' international business. The role is responsible for ensuring robust, efficient and compliant end-to-end financial processes across matter and client inception, billing, collections, accounts receivable, accounts payable, banking operations, client funds and financial systems. This individual will provide strategic leadership to global operational teams, drive process improvement and standardisation, and partner closely with finance and business leaders to support growth, service excellence and strong financial control across the firm.

Kennedys is operating a hybrid working policy offering the opportunity to work from home and the office. Team Kennedys Finance supports the firm globally through the delivery of timely, accurate financial and management information, commercial insight, reporting solutions and operational support that underpin decision-making across the business. The team plays a key role in enabling sustainable growth, improving performance and maintaining the high standard of service provided to the firm's internal and external clients.

Our Finance function includes Financial Reporting, Tax, Treasury, Business Intelligence, Business Partnering and Analytics, Procurement, Finance Systems and Financial Operations, working in partnership with practice and business services leaders across the firm's international network. Kennedys operates across the UK, EMEA, LATAM, APAC and the US, and this role will play a key part in delivering consistent, high-quality financial operations across the firm's international office network.

• Financial Operations Leadership: Lead and develop global financial operations teams, ensuring the efficient and effective delivery of day-to-day services across all core transactional finance activities. Establish and embed best practice policies, controls and procedures across financial operations to support consistency, efficiency and compliance globally.
• Matter and Client Inception: Work closely with the Master Data Management team on client onboarding, matter setup and associated financial controls to ensure accuracy, consistency and compliance. Partner with legal and business services teams to streamline and strengthen inception processes across the firm's global operations.
• Billing & Collections: Oversee the end-to-end billing process, ensuring timely, accurate and commercially effective invoicing across all regions. Monitor accounts receivable performance and collections activity, implementing strategies to improve working capital and optimise cash flow.
• Accounts Payable & Banking: Oversee accounts payable, banking and payment approval processes, ensuring strong control, operational efficiency and effective supplier management.
• Client Funds & Compliance: Ensure the appropriate handling, monitoring and reconciliation of client funds in line with all regulatory and professional requirements. Maintain a robust internal control environment to safeguard client money and firm assets and support ongoing compliance.
• Financial Systems & Reporting: Contribute to the financial systems strategy, including system enhancements, integrations, automation and continuous process improvement. Provide leadership with accurate operational reporting, analysis and performance metrics to support decision-making and drive improvement.
• Global Oversight & Collaboration: Drive consistency, control and compliance in financial operations across the firm's international office network. Partner with finance, legal and business services leaders to support growth, operational excellence and a high-quality client and colleague experience.
• Team Leadership: Lead a high-performing, globally distributed team. Foster a culture of commercial excellence, innovation, collaboration and accountability.

• Strategic thinking and operational excellence
• Financial integrity and compliance focus
• Leadership and team development
• Process improvement and automation
• Strong stakeholder management

• Professional qualification such as ACA, ACCA or CIMA strongly preferred.
• Extensive experience in financial operations, ideally within an international law firm, insurance-focused professional services business or other complex global partnership environment.
• Strong change leadership capability and a track record of delivering process improvement and operational transformation.
• Strong knowledge of billing, accounts receivable, accounts payable, treasury, client funds management and financial systems.
• Proven experience leading cross-functional teams across multiple jurisdictions and operating environments.
• Excellent analytical, communication and problem-solving skills, with the ability to engage effectively with senior stakeholders.
• Experience of financial systems implementation, optimisation and automation.

This is a developing role and this job description is not exhaustive. It may evolve in line with the objectives of the team and the wider priorities of the firm. Kennedys is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to ensuring our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. We expect all employees to be aware of and comply with all relevant policies and procedures within their jurisdiction, including those relating to Information Security, Data Protection and Quality Management, refer any breach promptly to Risk & Compliance and to complete all mandatory training when requested.