At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance teams, drive efficiency, and modernise finance operations.
- Company: Leading PE-backed Retail & Services business with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a dynamic work environment.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact in a strategic leadership role within finance.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant with extensive finance operations leadership experience.
- Other info: Join a fast-paced environment with opportunities for growth and transformation.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 Β£ per year.
We are exclusively working with a leading PE-backed Retail & Services business to recruit a Director of Finance Operations. This pivotal role will support the delivery of the finance roadmap and drive the ongoing strategic development of the Finance function in alignment with the wider organisational objectives. Reporting to the CFO, the Director of Finance Operations will champion best-in-class finance practices across the business. You will lead the modernisation of the finance function across people, processes, and systems, ensuring faster, more accurate financial reporting and enhanced operational effectiveness.
This is a hands-on leadership role requiring strong experience in financial control and proven success in managing sizable teams. The ideal candidate will be able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while communicating effectively with all stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities- Lead and develop finance teams, promoting accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
- Mentor and develop talent, supporting succession planning to strengthen leadership capability
- Redesign the finance operating model to drive efficiency and support business growth
- Establish, monitor, and continually improve SLAs and KPIs across finance operations
- Ensure the teamβs skills and capacity align with organisational requirements and future growth
- Lead full implementation of finance systems and tools
- Drive automation and digitalisation of transactional processes to improve efficiency and scalability
- Standardise and streamline workflows to increase productivity and reduce operational risk
- Oversee preparation of accurate, timely management accounts and ensure reporting compliance
- Enhance reporting processes to provide actionable insights for senior leadership
- Support annual budgeting and periodic forecasting processes in line with strategic objectives
- Manage end-to-end transaction processing across Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and Treasury
- Ensure all transactional activities are accurate, timely, and compliant
- Define and track KPIs, including invoice processing times, payment accuracy, and cash application efficiency
- Implement continuous improvement initiatives to optimise costs and service delivery
- Oversee finance-related people systems (e.g., payroll platforms, HR-finance integrations)
- Maintain strong internal controls and regulatory compliance
- Develop and update finance policies and procedures
- Collaborate with senior leadership to ensure finance operations support the broader business strategy
- Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent) with a degree or equivalent education
- Extensive experience in finance operations leadership, managing large teams
- Proven track record in systems implementation, process improvement, and automation
- Experience improving structure in complex, manual, or high-volume transactional environments
- Exposure to multi-site operations, shared services, or centralised finance functions
- Experience in PE-backed, transformation, or turnaround environments advantageous but not essential
- Expertise in ERP systems and finance transformation initiatives
- Commercially minded with the ability to align finance activity to business strategy and operational goals
- Strong leadership, communication, stakeholder management, and change management skills
- Ability to develop a high-performing finance culture that adds value across the organisation
- Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Resilient and adaptable, able to perform under pressure in challenging environments
- Exceptional attention to detail, ensuring reliability and accuracy in all finance and operational processes
If you believe you meet the criteria above, we encourage you to apply. Due to the high volume of applications, we may be unable to respond to unsuccessful candidates.
Director of Finance Operations employer: Stanton House
Contact Detail:
Stanton House Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Director of Finance Operations
β¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those who work in PE-backed businesses. A personal recommendation can make all the difference when you're aiming for that Director of Finance Operations role.
β¨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into the companyβs financial practices and recent developments. Show them youβre not just another candidate; youβre someone who understands their challenges and is ready to lead the charge in modernising their finance function.
β¨Tip Number 3
Donβt underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you note to express your appreciation and reiterate your enthusiasm for the role. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your commitment.
β¨Tip Number 4
Finally, apply through our website! Weβve got a streamlined process that makes it easy for you to showcase your skills and experience. Plus, it helps us keep track of your application and get back to you quicker!
We think you need these skills to ace Director of Finance Operations
Some tips for your application π«‘
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Director of Finance Operations role. Highlight your leadership experience, financial control expertise, and any relevant systems implementation projects you've led.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've driven efficiency and improved finance operations in previous positions, and donβt forget to mention your strategic thinking abilities!
Showcase Your Achievements: Quantify your successes! Whether itβs improving KPIs or leading a successful team, use numbers to demonstrate your impact. This will help us see the value you can bring to our finance function.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. Itβs the best way for us to receive your application and ensures youβre considered for this exciting opportunity. Donβt miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Stanton House
β¨Know Your Numbers
As a Director of Finance Operations, youβll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've improved financial reporting and operational effectiveness in previous roles. This shows youβre not just a leader but also a hands-on expert.
β¨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to talk about your leadership approach, especially in managing large teams. Think of specific examples where youβve promoted accountability and collaboration. Highlight how youβve mentored talent and supported succession planning, as this aligns with the role's focus on developing a high-performing finance culture.
β¨Be Ready for Change Management Questions
Expect questions around your experience with systems implementation and process improvement. Have examples ready that showcase your ability to drive automation and digitalisation in finance operations. This will demonstrate your strategic thinking and adaptability in fast-paced environments.
β¨Align with Business Strategy
Understand the broader business objectives of the company you're interviewing with. Be prepared to discuss how finance operations can support these goals. This shows youβre commercially minded and can align finance activities with operational strategies, which is crucial for the role.