Head of Finance Shared Services in Leeds

Head of Finance Shared Services in Leeds

Leeds Full-Time 85500 - 104500 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Zenith Group

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and develop a dynamic finance operations team to enhance service delivery.
  • Company: Join Zenith, the UK's largest independent vehicle solutions provider with a collaborative culture.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonus, company car, and extensive health benefits.
  • Other info: Inclusive workplace with career development opportunities and a focus on wellbeing.
  • Why this job: Shape finance operations while contributing to sustainable mobility solutions.
  • Qualifications: Experience in finance operations and strong leadership skills required.

The predicted salary is between 85500 - 104500 £ per year.

At Zenith, we've been helping organisations transition to smarter, more sustainable vehicle solutions for over 30 years.

As the UK's largest independent vehicle solutions provider, we support some of the UKs best-known brands through leasing, fleet management and mobility services. we're proud of our people, our award-winning service, and our bold ambitions to make mobility smarter, greener, and better for everyone.

We are now looking for a Head of Finance Shared Services to join Zenith Group Finance.

This is an opportunity to shape and develop a significant finance operations function, ensuring the effective delivery of core financial processes while contributing to ongoing business development and process improvement.

Working closely with the Group Finance Director, Finance Leadership Team and colleagues across the organisation, you'll play an important role in maintaining strong financial foundations, developing capability within the team and delivering positive outcomes for the business.

What's the Role

As Head of Finance Shared Services, you will be responsible for the delivery and continuous development of the Shared Services function across Zenith Group Finance, including Purchase Ledger, Sales Ledger, Billing, Credit Control, Cash Allocation, Bank Reconciliations, Funding Operations and Fines Administration.

You'll ensure transactional finance activities are delivered accurately and efficiently, supporting financial reporting requirements, customer and supplier relationships, and the effective running of the wider business.

You'll work alongside stakeholders across Finance and Operations to identify opportunities for improvement, enhance service delivery and ensure processes remain fit for the future.

Key responsibilities include

  • Developing and supporting a multi-disciplinary Finance Shared Services team.
  • Ensuring the timely and accurate delivery of transactional finance processes.
  • Maintaining effective service standards, controls and operational measures.
  • Overseeing customer billing activities, including more complex billing arrangements.
  • Supporting strong cash collection and credit management practices.
  • Ensuring reconciliations, payment activities and ledger management are completed accurately.
  • Contributing to month-end, year-end and audit processes.
  • Providing insight and information to support decision-making across the business.
  • Identifying opportunities to simplify processes and improve efficiency.
  • Building sustainable ways of working that support future business requirements.
  • What Can You Offer

We're looking for an experienced finance professional with a background in shared services, finance operations or transactional finance within a complex environment.

You will bring

  • Experience across Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Billing, Credit Control, Cash Allocation, Funding Operations and Reconciliations.
  • Experience managing large-scale finance processing activities with a focus on quality and accuracy.
  • A strong understanding of financial controls, reconciliations, audit requirements and reporting processes.
  • Experience supporting customer billing and query resolution activities.
  • Knowledge of working capital management, collections and aged debt processes.
  • Confidence working with finance systems, ERP platforms and process improvement tools.
  • Experience improving processes and strengthening operational effectiveness.
  • Experience developing teams, sharing knowledge and building capability.
  • What's in it for You
  • Annual bonus
  • Company car/car allowance
  • 24 days annual leave & 1 day for your birthday plus bank holidays
  • The option to buy or sell holidays (+5 or -3)
  • Individual Private Medical Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Breakdown Cover
  • Dental & Health Cash Plans
  • Critical Illness Cover
  • Tech Scheme
  • Cycle to Work Scheme
  • Perks at Work – save on everyday essentials
  • Wellbeing support including: onsite GP, EAP, pensions advice, funded HRT treatment,
  • Mental Health First Aiders
  • Sports & Social Club, company activities, and team events.
  • Agile working
  • Free onsite parking
  • Onsite bistro
  • Inclusive culture with colleague-led equality networks
  • Development opportunities with access to our My GPS personal development framework.

Why Zenith?

At Zenith, we're committed to creating a workplace where everyone can succeed. We're proud to offer a supportive, inclusive environment backed by our People Promise.

  • Our customers trust us – we partner with some of the UK's largest and most recognisable brands
  • Our people stay with us – we've built a collaborative, supportive culture where people are empowered to make an impact.
  • We're ambitious – backed by recent recapitalisation, continued investment and a fleet of almost 170,000 vehicles provide a strong platform for long-term growth.
  • We're award-winning – including Leasing Company of the Year (Fleet News 2026), Large Business of the Year and Diversity & Inclusion Award winners at the Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business Awards, and Wellbeing Award winners at Fleet News 2025.
  • We're leading the transition to sustainable mobility – more than 41% of our fleet is now Battery Electric Vehicles as we continue supporting the transition to lower-emission mobility solutions.
  • We're invested in your future – with structured career pathways, learning opportunities and development support available throughout your career journey.

Sound Like the Right Opportunity for You?

We want to positively encourage differences in Zenith and believe it is critical to our success as a company.

Zenith is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace that seeks to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills.

We therefore encourage applications from all genders, races, religions, ages and sexual orientations, as well as parents, veterans, people living with disabilities, and any other groups that could bring diverse perspectives to our business.

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Head of Finance Shared Services in Leeds employer: Zenith Group

Zenith Group is an excellent employer, offering HGV Mobile Service Technicians a dynamic work environment that prioritises reliability and excellence. With competitive pay, generous overtime opportunities, and a strong focus on professional development, employees can thrive in their careers while enjoying the benefits of working across diverse locations in the UK.

Zenith Group

Contact Details:

Zenith Group Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Finance Shared Services in Leeds

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 Zenith 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 Head of Finance Shared Services in Leeds

Finance Operations
Transactional Finance
Accounts Payable
Accounts Receivable
Billing
Credit Control
Cash Allocation

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 Zenith 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 Zenith 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 Zenith 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 Zenith 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 Zenith 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 Zenith 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.