Head of Service Delivery - Finance Operations in Swindon

We are in an exciting period of transformation that will shape the future of shared services across government. Through the introduction of new technology platforms, service lines and clients, we are expanding both the scale and sophistication of what we do. This includes transitioning to a multi-ERP platform organisation, onboarding new government clients and reimagining how we deliver services to provide a seamless and digital-first customer experience. During this period of transformation, the role will evolve to include the delivery of our service to other clients, both existing and/or new. These roles are some of the exciting openings we have for experienced professionals who can bring proven service knowledge and experience, coupled with a passion to help to shape the future of our organisation.

Key responsibilities

• The roles will cover two separate elements, the first will focus on Finance Operations and is accountable for the end-to-end delivery of core financial transaction services including Purchase to pay, Cash Management and Forecasting, Accounts Receivable, Grants Administration Expenses and supplier and customer master data.
• The second will focus on Financial Decision Support, Reporting & Control and is accountable for the end-to-end delivery of financial management reporting, planning and control services we provide to our clients across our multi-platform shared services environment.
• The role ensures timely and accurate financial close, robust reconciliations and high-quality management information that supports evidence-based decision-making across client organisations.
• Both roles will involve partnering with clients, Heads of Profession and Global Process Owners, and will define end to end service requirements and standards.
• This includes the optimisation of processes by the embedding of continuous improvements, the realisation of benefits and driving performance to ensure a consistent and high-quality experience across client organisations.

Duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Set the strategic performance direction and throughput targets for Finance Operations, ensuring delivery against SLAs and cost to serve targets.
• Approve and oversee the implementation and application of policies and maintain controls, reconciliations and tax treatments to uphold compliance and assurance standards and audit readiness.
• Shape Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Expenses and Cash Management routines to government and industry best practice to ensure outstanding service standards.
• Shaping planning and forecasting cycles to enable accurate and timely decision-making, as well as have lead responsibility for obtaining and managing funding for change and continuous improvement activity for their specific service, ensuring resources are appropriately charged.
• Improve master data governance and stewardship to minimise duplication and reduce operational error opportunity.
• Work with other Service Delivery Heads to ensure that the overall finance end-to-end process is considered.
• Collaborate with the Head of Profession to ensure effective scheduling, workforce and capacity planning to meet cut-off dates and handle demand peaks.
• Partner with Clients, Heads of Profession and Global Process Owners to uphold standards and improve data quality, ensuring service processes and SOPs are reviewed, enhanced and maintained, with any significant change to process/service agreed with GPOs.
• Oversee activities within the tiered service delivery model, ensuring a move to self-serve and effective triage and resolution.
• Monitor and report on service metrics, identifying trends and opportunities for improvement.

To be considered for the role, you will need the following, depending on your preferred option:

• Demonstrated leadership of managers, with a focus on matrix resourcing, coaching, performance and quality assurance.
• Any prior experience of Workday would be distinctly advantageous.
• Proven expertise in financial reporting, control and planning within a shared services or complex organisational environment.
• Ideally a qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA) or possessing extensive relevant work experience.
• Knowledgeable accounting background in financial consolidation and financial standards.
• Understanding of reconciliations, journals, period close processes and audit liaison requirements.
• Strong management information and analytics literacy, including performance frameworks and variance analysis.
• Knowledge of ERP financial processes, data model and governance structures.
• Experience managing budgets, tracking benefits and optimising cost-to-serve performance.

For the Finance Operations role:

• Strong experience in Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Billing, Cash Management and Expenses operations, ideally AAT qualified.
• Understanding of VAT, tax treatment and financial control frameworks within the public sector or large organisations.
• Familiarity with ERP Finance processes, including data quality, matching and exception handling concepts.
• Proven ability to drive continuous improvement.

Successful candidates may be required to undergo Security Clearance (National Security Vetting) as part of their employment. To meet these standards, applicants must normally have lived in the UK for at least the last five years and be able to satisfy background, identity and criminal record checks. UKSBS does not hold a Home Office Sponsor Licence under the UK Immigration System, therefore candidates are required to have eligibility to live and work in the UK prior to applying.

We look forward to hearing from you. We are UKSBS. We are creating a place where people love to work, a culture where we lead, we change, we deliver and we empower our people to be curious, take action and add value.