Head of Finance / Business Systems

Newly created Head of Finance/Business Systems role is now available in an international city-based law firm.

As the Head of Finance/Business Systems, you will be responsible for the management, development, and performance of the finance system and financial reporting solutions used across the Firm, which includes the UK business and all its international operations. The role will support users of the systems, providing specialist knowledge of business systems and processes.

This role is responsible for leading and providing technical expertise on any future system implementations and upgrades and managing ongoing system enhancements and development activities.

The Head of Finance/Business Systems will work closely with Finance, Technology Services, and the wider business to ensure that high-quality financial services are underpinned by integrated, effective systems which make full use of available technologies and data.

Specific duties include:

1. Develop and maintain a roadmap for Finance Systems in collaboration with key business functions and service providers.
2. Provide inputs to the organisation's vision for Finance strategy and translate that vision and strategy into operational deliverables. Provide tactical leadership and support to managers to achieve positive results for the business in line with the firm's strategy.
3. Drive business performance through others facilitating effective planning, control, and support mechanisms to ensure delivery of the business plan in line with expectations.
4. Manage team capacity to ensure that it is cost-effective and is matched to the current and future agreed needs of Finance and the wider business for systems for which continuous availability internationally is a pre-requisite.
5. Develop and implement an appropriate governance framework to ensure best practice and compliance with internal and external regulations for systems and data responsibilities.
6. Understand the business processes to be able to translate those into requirements for system architecture.
7. Develop data insights and information to support and drive business performance.
8. Manage strategic systems initiatives and direct the Finance teams to ensure relevant initiatives, schedules, and priorities are calibrated by the team.
9. Drive a "continuous improvement" approach with a multi-disciplinary team to deliver excellence in process and solution improvement.
10. Lead the development of systems solutions that enhance delivery of services aligned with industry and regulatory requirements.
11. Utilise technology to ensure we are innovative and adopt leading solutions that drive operational efficiency and business value.
12. Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives by assessing alignment of current processes and systems to business requirements and recognise opportunities for standardisation, increased efficiency, cost reduction, and improved quality.
13. Manage and deliver location-specific expertise for systems and data.
14. Drive executive alignment on the purpose, workstreams, progress, and deliverables of key initiatives.
15. Build positive, open, and collaborative relationships with key internal and external stakeholders to provide input, resources, and decision support.
16. Develop and foster a service-orientated culture within the team.
17. Ensure innovation and development is balanced with establishing a safe, stable, and secure environment, managed within the firm's risk profile.
18. Develop and maintain robust relationships with vendors and business partners.
19. Manage, resource, motivate, and develop the functional team to ensure the required standards of performance and support the continuing personal and professional development of all team members.
20. Establish clear accountabilities and authority levels for direct reports and build a strong culture of accountability and performance in order to ensure delivery of goals.

Background needed:

1. Law firm or wider professional services background preferred but not essential.
2. Strong experience working within Finance Systems as well as the broader Business Systems landscape.

Skills/Experience needed:

1. Someone with a track record of working closely with stakeholders across a business to evolve a platform to drive change and underpin business success.
2. Excellent understanding of technical IT aspects alongside deep, demonstrable exposure to wider business objectives. The role is substantially outward-facing dealing primarily with business stakeholders in other teams and third-party suppliers, as well as managing the Finance Systems Team.
3. Demonstrable expertise in finance systems, data governance, data quality, data analytics capabilities, and the understanding of data lake architecture.
4. 10+ years of progressively responsible relevant experience in finance systems, data management, implementing data governance, and understanding the underlying technologies needed to enable data innovation.
5. Significant background in business intelligence implementation.
6. Ability to manage multiple projects and stakeholders in a fast-paced and demanding environment.
7. Significant experience working across complex, federated business units where ability to consult, as well as to lead, are critical.
8. Comprehensive understanding across all areas of Technology including Architecture, Software, Hardware, Infrastructure, Applications, Data Architecture, and overall Technical Design.
9. Able to think both strategically and operationally and to stay calm under pressure.
10. Strong inter-personal skills, well-honed influencing, and presentation skills.
11. Persuasive - the ability to change and influence senior stakeholders.

Additional:

1. Hybrid working offered 2/3 days in the office.
2. This role can be located in either London, Birmingham, Manchester, Scotland, or Leeds.