Head of Financial Systems

Head of Financial Systems

Full-Time 72000 - 88000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the transformation of Mistral’s Finance technology ecosystem and drive strategic decision-making.
  • Company: Join a dynamic AI solutions company passionate about innovation and collaboration.
  • Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package, including healthcare, wellness programs, and work-life balance support.
  • Other info: Opportunity to build and scale IT systems in a collaborative, multicultural environment.
  • Why this job: Shape the future of finance tech while making a real impact across high-stakes industries.
  • Qualifications: Strong project management skills and deep data architecture knowledge required.

The predicted salary is between 72000 - 88000 £ per year.

About Mistral

Mistral provides full-stack AI solutions: from frontier models to developer tools, applications, and compute. We partner with enterprises tackling the hardest problems across high-stakes industries like finance, manufacturing, defense, healthcare, and the public sector, co-creating customized AI systems that they can run on their terms. We are a dynamic, collaborative team passionate about AI and its potential to transform society. Our diverse workforce thrives in competitive environments and is committed to driving innovation. Our teams are distributed between Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East. We are creative, low-ego and team-spirited.

The Role

As a Head of Financial Systems, you will shape the future of Mistral’s Finance technology ecosystem. The role exists to build a modern data, systems and AI-driven finance department that bridges finance, data, and business operations to drive financial performance and strategic decision-making. You’ll collaborate closely with our CFO, our internal Applied AI resources, and teams like HR, IT, Legal, and Security to assess current systems, identify gaps, and design a target architecture that supports Mistral’s growth. Your impact will be felt across the organization, from improving profitability to automating accounting and ensuring reliable financial outputs.

What You Will Do

  • Lead the assessment of Mistral’s current Finance technology landscape, including tools, processes, data flows and pain points.
  • Define and prioritize business, functional, and technical requirements for Finance systems in collaboration with stakeholders.
  • Design a target Finance tech architecture, outlining system roles, integrations, and data flows and architectures.
  • Develop a data governance framework, including ownership, quality controls, and maintenance processes.
  • Create and execute a prioritized plan to clean up and rationalize Finance datasets and execute it.
  • Deliver a clear recommendation on the future Finance tech setup, including costs, risks, and a transition roadmap.
  • Ensure Finance data is migration-ready by addressing quality issues and defining ownership.

What We're Looking For

  • Strong project management skills, from defining vision, strategy, and roadmaps, to stellar execution.
  • Engineering academic background, ideally from a tier-1 engineering school.
  • Deep data architecture knowledge, including mastery of data sources, pipelines, storage, transformation, and metadata management, with hands-on experience designing and implementing architectures (e.g., APIs, workflows, BigQuery, DBT).
  • GenAI power user with Vibe coding skills, automation expertise, and experience building scalable, impactful products in a professional context. Basic coding skills and software development experience are a strong plus.
  • Experience in Finance technology assessment, system selection, and knowledge of tools such as SAP S4H, Kyriba, Lago, Payflows, etc.
  • Solid financial knowledge, including experience working alongside finance teams, understanding FP&A, accounting, cash management, and procurement, and a strong interest in driving value through process automation and efficiency.
  • Builder and scaler with experience structuring IT systems (preferably in finance), building and scaling IT teams or departments from the ground up, and operating in multicountry environments.
  • Proven ability to build tools and processes from scratch to support company growth.
  • Strong analytical skills to evaluate data quality, consistency, and relevance.
  • Proficiency in prioritization and the use of performance metrics to drive impact.

What We Offer

We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and work-life balance. Benefits vary by country and may include healthcare coverage, parental leave, retirement plans, relocation support, wellness programs, meal and transportation allowances, and other location-specific perks. For the most up-to-date details on benefits available in your location, please refer to our Benefits page.

Your privacy matters to us. You can learn more about how we handle your personal data in our Applicant Privacy Policy.

Head of Financial Systems employer: Mistral AI

Mistral AI is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, making it an ideal place for a WAN & Edge Network Automation Engineer to thrive. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, you will have access to continuous learning opportunities and cutting-edge projects that challenge your skills. Located in a vibrant tech hub, the company offers a dynamic work environment where creativity and teamwork are highly valued, ensuring that every team member contributes to meaningful advancements in network automation.

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Contact Details:

Mistral AI Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Financial Systems

Tap into Campus Networks

If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.

Get Certified

Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.

Connect on Professional Platforms

Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.

Apply Directly and Be Proactive

Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Mistral AI. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Financial Systems

Project Management
Data Architecture
Finance Technology Assessment
System Selection
Data Governance Framework
Automation Expertise
Coding Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.

Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Mistral AI.

Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.

Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Mistral AI's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!

How to prepare for a job interview at Mistral AI

Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills

Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Mistral AI.

Prepare for Case Studies

Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.

Show Your Passion for Finance

Since this is a full-time position, employers at Mistral AI will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.

Network with Industry Professionals

Before your interview, reach out to current or former Mistral AI employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.