Process Transformation Lead – Service Charges in Preston

At Places for People we hire people, not numbers. We value experience but also a passion for growth, community spirit, respect, and enthusiasm for our work. As the UK's leading Social Enterprise, we do not discriminate based on any protected attribute and are committed to creating inclusive communities for both customers and employees.

As Process Transformation Lead – Service Charges, you will transform service charge and finance processes by leveraging modern technology, including AI and Microsoft Copilot, to create smarter, more efficient ways of working. You will identify opportunities to reduce manual effort, improve data quality, and deliver consistent, scalable processes that support future growth. This role focuses on a whole‑process view, reviewing end‑to‑end service charge and finance activities to identify inefficiencies, risks, and automation opportunities. You will lead the design and implementation of practical, technology‑enabled solutions that improve accuracy, strengthen financial control, and reduce turnaround times across key processes such as service charge setting, year‑end reconciliations, and month‑end reporting. Collaboration with Finance, IT, Data, and operational colleagues is essential.

You will lead process reviews, design practical solutions, improve accuracy, turnaround times, and customer outcomes, supporting better decision‑making and future‑proofing our services.

Location: Hybrid role working from Preston 2‑3 days a week.

Essential Criteria

• Proven experience driving process improvement, end‑to‑end process mapping, and delivering automation and transformation initiatives within finance or service charge environments.
• Proficiency in Microsoft tools, particularly Excel and Power BI, with exposure to AI specifically Co‑Pilot.
• Strong analytical skills and experience working with large or complex data sets within similarly sized organisations.
• Ability to translate stakeholder requirements into effective process or technology solutions.
• Confident stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence and drive change across teams.

About You

You will enjoy working collaboratively, bringing people together to embed standardised and well‑controlled processes across the organisation. You will be comfortable presenting insights to senior stakeholders, creating clear process documentation, and ensuring all improvements align with financial controls, regulatory requirements, and Places for People policies. A basic DBS check is mandatory. We are committed to a safe working environment.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with regular annual review
• Pension with matched contributions up to 7%
• Bonus scheme for colleagues
• 35 days holiday (including bank holiday) with option to buy or sell days
• Healthcare cashback plan for everyday medical costs – up to £500 savings per year
• Wellbeing support such as counselling and flu jabs
• Private GP and health support services available
• Rewards platform with retail and lifestyle discounts
• Savings on groceries, travel, shopping and home products
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• Professional qualifications and career progression support
• Internal development programmes and learning support
• Recognition schemes such as Star Awards and Colleagues Awards
• Focus on inclusion, wellbeing and colleague engagement
• Free membership to Places Gyms

Equal Opportunity

Places for People is an equal opportunities employer. We guarantee interviews for disabled, neurodiverse, and armed forces candidates who meet the essential criteria. We fully support diversity, inclusion, and reasonable adjustments for all applicants.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. All employees, volunteers and contractors must uphold the highest standards of safeguarding and accountability. Recruitment includes pre‑employment DBS checks where applicable.