At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic direction and manage client relationships in business process services.
- Company: Join Grant Thornton, a forward-thinking firm driving positive change in the industry.
- Benefits: Flexible working options, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Engage in community initiatives and enjoy a balanced work-life environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while shaping the future of business process outsourcing.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in outsourced finance services and team management.
Job Summary
Origination efforts alongside the BD and origination teams. Shape strategic direction by partnering with clients' leadership teams to understand their operating models and where outsourcing support adds most value. Direct pipeline development and forecasting for the portfolio, keeping the order book accurate and aligned to growth targets. Manage and develop the team, including resourcing, capability planning, and day-to-day oversight of work delivered both onshore and with our GT India colleagues, with potential for overseas travel to strengthen that relationship. Take a hands-on role in client work where required, stepping into delivery on complex or high-priority engagements alongside the wider team. Build strong client relationships, acting as a trusted point of contact and identifying opportunities to expand scope within existing accounts. Contribute to the creation and refresh of client-facing materials such as case studies and pitch templates, drawing on delivery experience to keep them credible and current. Champion best practice across the team, sharing insight from client delivery to improve processes and outcomes.
Minimum Criteria
- Proven experience delivering outsourced accounting or finance services (management accounts, VAT, statutory reporting)
- Experience managing and developing a team, including resourcing and capability planning.
- Experience of successful sales and business development to support the growth of a business. Prior experience of sales of business process outsourcing solutions would be an added advantage.
- Comfortable contributing to business development activity such as proposals and client pitches
- Excellent communication skills to manage both client and delivery team relationships. Our operating model involves working with global and cross-cultural teams, so flexibility to travel to other offices (within and outside the UK) is required.
- Good organisational and IT skills, including CRM tools such as Dynamics.
- A proactive, can-do attitude.
- A professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, ICAS, CA or CIPFA).
Culture and Values
Building an inclusive culture, where we value difference and respect our colleagues helps our people to perform at the best of their ability and realise their potential. Our open and accessible culture means you'll interact with leaders who are interested in you and everything you bring to our firm. The things that set you apart, we value them. That's why we give you the freedom to bring your whole self to work and pursue your passions inside and outside of work.
Beyond the job Life is more than work. The things you do, and the people you're with outside of work matter, that's why we're happy to look at flexible working options for all our roles, and we'll always do our best to keep your work and life in balance.
The impact you can make here will go far beyond your day job. From secondments, to fundraising for local charities, or investing in entrepreneurs in the developing world, you'll be giving back to society. It's that drive to do the right thing that runs through our every move, grounded in our firm's values - purposefully driven, actively curious and candid but kind. We're looking for people who want to contribute, spark fresh ideas and go beyond expectations. People who want to be able to proudly do what's right, for the firm, our clients, our people and themselves. It's how it should be.
Summary
Location: London; Manchester; Reading; Birmingham
Type: Full time
About Grant Thornton
At Grant Thornton we do things differently - looking to the future, driving ambitious growth and pioneering positive change in our industry. Providing audit, tax and advisory services, we empower clients through strategic insight, curiosity, and genuine partnership. And we empower our people with real opportunity, an inclusive culture and work life balance. A true alternative. With over 5,000 people in the UK, and a presence in 150 global markets, we're on an ambitious journey, from great to exceptional, and we need the best people to help us achieve our potential. And with that comes the opportunity to help redefine what our industry looks like, and what you want from your career.
Business Process Services Associate Director in Manchester employer: The Abbey
At dentsu Optimisation Manchester, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. Our team-oriented environment encourages professional growth through continuous training and development opportunities, ensuring that every employee can thrive in their role. Located in the vibrant Bonded Warehouse, we offer unique advantages such as a dynamic workspace and access to cutting-edge resources, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in the field of CRO.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Business Process Services Associate Director in Manchester
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We think you need these skills to ace Business Process Services Associate Director in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Analytical Skills:In the business intelligence field, showcasing your analytical skills is a must. Make sure your CV includes relevant experience with data analysis tools, programming languages like SQL or Python, and any projects where you've interpreted complex data sets to drive business decisions.
Showcase Your Business Acumen:Don't just focus on data; show us how you can apply your insights to real-world business problems. Highlight projects where you made a tangible impact on company performance, and be prepared to explain your thought process in your cover letter.
Tailor Your Documents for Us:When applying for a full-time role at The Abbey, tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect our organisational goals and strategies. Mention specific tools and methodologies that align with what we do—this shows you’ve done your homework and are genuinely interested in our mission!
Include Relevant Certifications:Certifications like Google Data Analytics or similar qualifications can really make you stand out in business intelligence. Include these in your application, as they demonstrate your commitment to the field and your willingness to stay current with industry standards.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Abbey
✨Show off your analytical skills
In a business intelligence role, you're going to need to demonstrate your analytical prowess. Be prepared to discuss specific tools you've used, like SQL, Tableau, or Power BI. Have real-world examples ready where you’ve turned data into actionable insights – this is what makes us shine in interviews!
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✨Portfolio of Projects
Since it's a full-time role, having a strong portfolio is key! Compile case studies demonstrating your previous projects, preferably showing how your insights led to business improvements. This can help us display how you think through complex datasets and your problem-solving process, which is what employers are keen on seeing.
✨Know their business model
Get familiar with The Abbey’s business model and recent data-driven decisions. Be prepared to discuss how your skills can specifically support their objectives or challenges. Understanding their landscape shows that you’re not just a data buff, but you’re also genuinely interested in how BI can impact their bottom line.