At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the UK finance function and shape strategic direction for the London office.
- Company: Major international law firm with a dynamic and collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a chance to influence key decisions.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with opportunities for growth and influence.
- Why this job: Join a prestigious firm and make a real impact on financial strategy and operations.
- Qualifications: Proven senior finance leader with strong commercial acumen and relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 75000 - 100000 € per year.
A major international law firm is seeking a Head of Finance & Operations to focus on the London office, leading its UK finance function and play a central role on the London Management Team. This is a broad, influential position that goes far beyond traditional financial control. It's ideally suited to a senior finance leader who combines strong commercial acumen with people leadership, partner/stakeholder management and operational oversight. This is not a technical accounting hire. Those capabilities already sit within the team. Instead, they are seeking someone who can:
- Provide confident leadership and direction to the UK finance function.
- Shape culture, bring the team together and articulate a clear commercial strategy.
- Strengthen financial insight and challenge across the London office.
- Influence partners and senior leaders to drive performance and commercial discipline.
- Ensure financial and operational decisions align with broader business strategy.
You must be an experienced adviser to senior leadership, a strong relationship‑builder, and someone who thrives in a fast‑moving, partnership‑driven environment.
Key Responsibilities- Finance Leadership
- Lead and develop the UK finance function, shaping culture, capability and long‑term strategic direction.
- Partner with the London Management Team (LMT) to define and drive the financial strategy of the London office.
- Lead commercial finance activity including pricing, profitability, performance analysis and strategic financial decision‑making.
- Oversee monthly P&L and balance sheet reviews, providing insightful, forward‑looking analysis and constructive challenge.
- Work closely with global commercial accounting and pricing teams to align priorities and enhance financial decision support.
- Contribute to decisions regarding the financial shape, size and structural planning of the London office.
- Oversee UK finance teams, including cashiers, accounts payable and management accounting (with statutory accounting managed centrally).
- Strategic Partnering & Influence
- Partner with senior leaders to challenge, shape and support high‑quality decision making.
- Build strong, trusted relationships across the partnership, influencing behaviours and driving commercial discipline.
- Operational Leadership
- Act as a core member of the LMT, working alongside senior partners and HR leadership.
- Support operational oversight across facilities, IT, space planning and office services, ensuring efficient, well‑coordinated processes.
- Reduce reliance on partner time by providing structure, clarity and consistent operational coordination.
- Help embed stronger governance, consistency and effective decision‑making across the London operations environment.
- Help embed clarity, consistency and effective decision‑making across London operations.
- A proven senior finance leader from a partnership or professional services environment.
- Commercial, energetic and influential, with the ability to challenge constructively.
- Comfortable operating across both finance and broader operational work.
- Flexible, pragmatic and relationship‑driven rather than rigid or technical‑only.
Head of Finance & Operations in London employer: United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia
As a major international law firm, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that empowers our employees to thrive. The London office offers exceptional opportunities for professional growth, with a focus on leadership development and strategic influence within the finance function. Our commitment to collaboration and innovation ensures that you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our operations while enjoying a supportive environment that values your contributions.
Contact Detail:
United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance & Operations in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend finance and operations events, join relevant LinkedIn groups, and don’t be shy about reaching out to folks for a chat. You never know who might have the inside scoop on your dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills! When you get the chance to meet potential employers or partners, make sure to highlight your experience in leading teams and driving performance. Share specific examples of how you've influenced decision-making and shaped culture in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive in your approach! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out directly to firms you admire, like us at StudySmarter, and express your interest in contributing to their finance and operations team. A little initiative can go a long way!
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare for interviews by understanding the firm's strategy! Research the company’s goals and challenges, especially in the London office. This will help you articulate how your skills align with their needs and demonstrate that you’re ready to hit the ground running.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance & Operations in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Leadership Skills:In your application, make sure to highlight your experience in leading finance teams and shaping culture. We want to see how you've influenced others and driven performance in previous roles.
Be Commercially Savvy:Demonstrate your commercial acumen by sharing examples of how you've made strategic financial decisions that align with broader business goals. We love seeing candidates who can think beyond the numbers!
Build Relationships:Since this role involves a lot of stakeholder management, share stories about how you've built strong relationships with senior leaders and partners. We value those who can influence and drive change through collaboration.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure your application speaks directly to the job description. Use similar language and focus on the key responsibilities outlined. And remember, applying through our website is the best way to get noticed!
How to prepare for a job interview at United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Head of Finance & Operations, you’ll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to the law firm and be ready to discuss how you can influence profitability and performance analysis. Show them you can provide insightful, forward-looking analysis.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
This role is all about leadership and culture. Be prepared to share examples of how you've shaped team dynamics and driven strategic direction in previous roles. Highlight your ability to build strong relationships and influence senior leaders effectively.
✨Understand the Business Strategy
Familiarise yourself with the firm's broader business strategy. Be ready to discuss how financial and operational decisions can align with this strategy. This shows that you’re not just a numbers person but someone who understands the bigger picture.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Think about challenges you’ve faced in finance and operations, and how you navigated them. This will help demonstrate your pragmatic approach and ability to thrive in a fast-moving environment.
