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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the UK Finance Shared Service Centre and drive operational excellence.
- Company: Join Bureau Veritas, a global leader in inspection services.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and comprehensive health benefits.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in finance while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Professional accounting qualification and proven financial management experience required.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive culture that values your potential.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 84000 £ per year.
Overview
Role: Head of Finance
Location: Wythenshawe hybrid
Salary: Competitive salary
Up to 12% Pension, Health Care and other Flexible benefits
The Role: This position provides strategic leadership of the UK Finance Shared Service Centre (SSC) overseeing core financial operations including General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Credit Control and Treasury functions. The role is pivotal in driving operational excellence through continuous process improvement while maintaining robust engagement across the organisation.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Finance Operations, Controls & Compliance
- Lead the UK Finance Shared Service Centre ensuring accurate, timely and compliant delivery across General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Credit Control and Treasury.
- Own month-end and year-end close, balance sheet integrity, UK statutory accounts and corporation tax submissions.
- Maintain a robust financial control environment and lead remediation of control issues.
- Act as the main point of contact for external and internal auditors, Group Finance, HMRC, banks and senior stakeholders.
- Cash, Working Capital & Performance
- Drive cash generation, optimise working capital and resolve complex debt and payment issues.
- Own and report on key working capital metrics (DSO, CIDS, cash collection performance).
- Develop, track and communicate Finance SSC KPIs and service performance.
- Process, Systems & Transformation
- Build and continuously improve an efficient, scalable Finance SSC operating model across all UK divisions.
- Lead process standardisation, automation and end-to-end improvement initiatives.
- Support ERP system optimisation and develop a network of key users and superusers.
- Lead the integration of new divisions and acquisitions into the SSC.
- Leadership & Stakeholder Management
- Lead, develop and engage a large diverse finance team, building capability and succession.
- Set clear performance standards and role-model strong leadership behaviours.
- Partner with the UK Finance Director on strategic initiatives and transformation projects.
Key Deliverables
- Accurate and timely P&L, Balance Sheet and period-end reporting.
- Finance SSC performance dashboards and KPIs.
- Strong audit outcomes and regulatory compliance.
- Improved working capital and cash performance.
- Consistent high-quality finance service delivery across the UK.
Experience & Skills Required
- Proven financial management experience.
- Experience with process automation and continuous improvement methodologies.
- Knowledge of working capital optimisation and cash management.
- Familiarity with FLEX processes or similar governance frameworks.
- Experience supporting external and internal audit functions.
- Experience of working within a large international group.
- Experience of delivering change and transformation programmes within a shared service centre environment.
- Leadership/development of a large diverse finance team.
- Effective communicator and influencer both verbal and written to peers, business partners and senior managers.
Qualifications Required
- Professional accounting qualification (ACCA, ACA or equivalent).
What's in it for you
- Competitive salary.
- 25 days holiday, 8 bank holidays with the option to buy or sell 5 holidays plus an option to carry over 5 days.
- Combined employee/employer pension contributions of up to 12%.
- Flexible working.
- Flexible benefits scheme to suit what is important to you including Life Cover, Private health care, Dental Care, GymFlex, Techscheme, Enhanced Maternity/Paternity policy, Give as You Earn scheme & Travel Insurance.
- Health and Wellbeing Support through Mental Health First aiders, Employee Assistance programme & Smart Health services.
Why Bureau Veritas
Our people are at the heart of everything we do which is why we have worked hard to create a supportive and engaging culture where individuals are given the opportunity to fulfil their true potential. At Bureau Veritas you can benefit from a busy and varied client facing environment working with market leaders across a wide range of sectors including but not limited to: Food manufacturing, Chemical manufacturing, Banking, Retail, Logistics, Power and Utilities including Nuclear, Automotive, Public Sector, Mobile Plant, Emergency Services, Transport and Construction. We pride ourselves on our partnership approach which means you will be encouraged to develop strong client relationships - combining technical expertise with service excellence to exceed your clients' expectations.
Head of Finance in Manchester employer: South East Asia
Contact Detail:
South East Asia Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector, attend industry events, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their financial operations, recent news, and challenges they might be facing. This way, we can show them how our skills align perfectly with their needs and demonstrate that we’re genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers and boost your confidence. We want to ensure we can articulate our experience and vision clearly, especially when discussing complex topics like cash management and process improvement.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in keeping us top of mind. It’s also a great opportunity to reiterate our enthusiasm for the role and highlight any key points we may have missed during the interview.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your financial management experience and any process automation you've done. We want to see how you can bring value to our Finance SSC!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for the Head of Finance role. Share specific examples of your leadership and transformation experiences that align with what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don't just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Quantify your successes where possible, like improvements in cash performance or successful audits. We love numbers that tell a story!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at South East Asia
✨Know Your Numbers
As the Head of Finance, you'll need to demonstrate a solid grasp of financial metrics. Brush up on key performance indicators like DSO and cash collection performance. Be ready to discuss how you've optimised working capital in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role involves leading a diverse finance team, so be prepared to share examples of how you've developed and engaged teams in the past. Highlight your leadership style and how you set performance standards while fostering a positive culture.
✨Emphasise Process Improvement
The job requires continuous process improvement, so come armed with specific examples of how you've driven efficiency in finance operations. Discuss any experience with automation or ERP system optimisation that can showcase your ability to enhance operational excellence.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
You'll be the main point of contact for various stakeholders, so practice articulating your communication strategy. Prepare to discuss how you've successfully partnered with senior management and external auditors to achieve compliance and strong audit outcomes.
