At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global finance processes and drive improvements in accounting and reporting.
- Company: Join Universal Music, the world's leading music company with a diverse and inclusive culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Other info: Embrace a culture that values neurodiversity and supports individual needs.
- Why this job: Make an impact in a dynamic environment while working with passionate music professionals.
- Qualifications: Strong finance knowledge, project management skills, and experience in global organisations.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Music is Universal
It’s the passionate and dedicated team at Universal Music who help make us the world’s leading music company. From A&R to finance, legal to digital, sales to marketing, Universal Music is the place to grow and develop your career within a truly commercial and innovative business that leads in everything it does.
Everyone is welcome to apply for our roles, and we are determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment because of gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief, age, marital status, background, pregnancy, or caring responsibilities. We also recognise the importance of diversity of thought within our teams and are fully committed to embracing the talents of people with autism, dyslexia, ADHD, and other forms of neurocognitive variation.
We will always seek to make appropriate adjustments to recruitment, workplaces, and work processes to be fully inclusive to people with different needs and working styles. If you need us to make any reasonable adjustments for you from application onwards, including alternatives to the online form or to disclose a neurocognitive condition, please email UniversalMusicCareers@umusic.com.
The Role
As Senior Global Finance Process Owner, you will be responsible for maintaining, improving, and developing global finance processes with a particular focus on accounting, royalty‑related processes, reporting, and finance process governance.
This role is well suited to someone who combines strong finance and accounting knowledge with a structured, project‑minded approach. You should be comfortable driving topics forward, aligning stakeholders, challenging existing ways of working, and setting clear expectations toward colleagues, team members, and business partner.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as global process owner for selected finance and royalty‑related processes.
- Ensure that processes support accurate accounting, reporting, compliance, and operational efficiency.
- Maintain and develop process documentation, accounting logic, controls, and reporting requirements.
- Drive finance process improvement initiatives across countries, functions, and systems.
- Translate finance and business requirements into clear process and system requirements.
- Work closely with IT solution architects and other technical stakeholders to define business needs, test solutions, and support implementation.
- Identify process gaps, risks, dependencies, and improvement opportunities.
- Participate in projects related to finance systems, ERP changes, process standardization, automation, and reporting improvements.
- Communicate expectations, decisions, timelines, and responsibilities clearly across stakeholders.
- Contribute to building a modern, scalable, and well‑controlled finance process landscape.
Skills and Experience Required
Must Have
- Strong accounting knowledge and solid understanding of financial reporting processes.
- Experience from finance operations, financial controlling, process ownership, or similar roles.
- Experience working in an international or global organization.
- Strong communication skills in English, both written and verbal.
- Ability to drive initiatives, manage stakeholders, and move topics forward independently.
- Structured and project‑minded approach to problem‑solving and execution.
- Ability to translate finance requirements into process and system requirements.
- Experience with modern finance, reporting, analytics, or automation tools.
Nice to Have
- Experience from ERP transition, ERP implementation, or finance transformation projects.
- Experience with SAP finance processes, master data, accounting flows, and reporting structures.
- Experience with royalty accounting, intercompany processes, revenue‑related processes, or complex financial flows.
- Experience working with Corporate Finance, shared service centers, local finance teams, and IT teams.
- Experience with process documentation, controls, governance, and change management.
- Familiarity with analytical tools, BI/reporting solutions, workflow tools, or finance automation platforms.
Key Behaviours
- Strong sense of ownership and accountability.
- Curious and analytical, with the ability to understand both details and the broader process landscape.
- Confident in expressing expectations and challenging stakeholders constructively.
- Able to build trust and collaborate across cultures, functions, and seniority levels.
- Comfortable working with complexity, legacy processes, and incomplete documentation.
- Pragmatic, solution‑oriented, and persistent.Just So You Know…
The company presents this job description as a guide to the major areas and duties for which the jobholder is accountable. However, the business operates in an environment that demands change and the jobholder's specific responsibilities and activities will vary and develop. Therefore, the job description should be seen as indicative and not as a permanent, definitive, and exhaustive statement.
Job Category
Finance & Accounting
Senior Global Finance Process Owner employer: Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters creativity and collaboration within the vibrant music industry. As a Global Finance Assistant, you will not only gain invaluable hands-on experience but also benefit from mentorship by seasoned professionals, ensuring your growth and development in finance. This paid opportunity allows you to contribute to exciting live projects while being part of a globally recognised company that values innovation and employee engagement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Global Finance Process Owner
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Universal Music Group. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Global Finance Process Owner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Universal Music Group.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Universal Music Group's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Universal Music Group
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Universal Music Group.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Universal Music Group will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Universal Music Group employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
