Group Head of Finance, Operations & Corporate Functions

The role will have financial responsibility for Operations division and Corporate Functions, leading a team of talented finance professionals to partner with business leaders. This is a significant financial leadership role which requires a talented and experienced finance business partner who can work closely with the business leadership to shape their longer-term strategy.

You will have a key role on both the Operations and Finance Leadership team, interact with the Executive Committee and will be comfortable influencing and presenting at the highest levels, making sound and well-thought-out business recommendations. You will have financially led a business of commensurate scale and complexity, ideally within a relevant sector including market infrastructure, banking or broader financial services.

You will demonstrate strong intellect and curiosity, combined with maturity, wisdom, and the ability to influence effectively across a large matrixed organisation. You must be able to build strong business partnerships and interpersonal relationships with the confidence to challenge decisions and ways of thinking. You will be an effective collaborator and be comfortable making business recommendations to the Executive Committee and the Board.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as an integral part of the Operations and Finance Leadership team, assisting with any strategic decision making that requires financial input
• Maintain a detailed knowledge and understanding of business drivers and bring a comprehensive understanding of how this fits into Group strategy
• Challenge and make recommendations with respect to performance against budget, budget setting and financial viability of new initiatives
• Use underlying trends, future business plans and external market factors to assist with the composition of short-term forecasts (current financial year), budgets (next financial year) and 3-year plans
• Maintain and develop strong working relationships within Finance and across the division
• Lead the development and implementation of scorecards and metrics to help drive performance, and assess and measure key strategies
• As part of the divisional leadership team, participate in pivotal initiatives and special projects. Develop metrics and analysis to build a disciplined approach to measuring return on investment and free cash flow performance
• Provide Finance support for major projects, ensuring they are delivered on time and budget in line with accounting controls
• Work with the Operations leadership team to create new value, using commercial acumen, strategy and resource allocation
• Ensure execution of the financial aspects of the divisional strategic plan, defining business objectives, driving performance and profitability and reporting requirements
• Provide valuable analysis & commentary of the divisional results
• Prepare monthly performance reports for leadership ensuring key risks, issues and opportunities are highlighted, with a focus on key value drivers
• Provide meaningful scenario and sensitivity analysis to facilitate decision-making
• Ensure the practices of the team are underpinned by efficient and relevant processes and systems
• Liaise with Group Head of FP&A and Group Head of Investor Relations in respect of quarterly, half-year and full-year external announcements
• Manage and optimise the Performance Reporting review process to ensure that it is efficient and effective, by identifying standard methodology and information-sharing

Key Experience:

• Financial Business Partnering Experience: A successful track record of working in partnership with a senior business leader to drive performance, including both growth and profit improvement initiatives.
• Scale and Complexity: Experience as a financial leader of a P/L and business unit of significant scale and complexity with international operations. Demonstrated track record of driving change, continuous improvement and complex problem solving at scale and pace.
• Industry Relevance: Experience in environments with significant data and technology transformation agendas.
• Financial Management: Significant experience and knowledge of all aspects of financial management including strong process, accounting and control experience
• Financial Planning & Analysis Skills: Strong expertise in data analysis, forecasting, and planning. The ability to use this expertise to drive business understanding and performance
• Risk Management: Able to identify and mitigate risks; experience of implementing and adhering to governance, risk, control and compliance processes
• Experience in a Matrixed Environment: Comfortable working in a global, matrixed business
• Leadership: Demonstrable experience leading global teams comprised of multiple financial disciplines and in delivering through broad cross-functional teams

Key Skills & Leadership Competencies:

• Engages and Inspires: Creates a climate in which people are motivated to do their best to help the organization achieve its objectives
• Balances Stakeholders: Comfortable managing a broad range of stakeholders, including multiple C-suite executives
• Global Perspective: Takes a broad view when approaching issues, using a global lens
• Influences and Persuades: Uses compelling arguments to gain the support and commitment of others. Comfortable sharing difficult messages when required.
• Aligns Execution: Able to build and lead a team that can deliver high-quality execution and continuous improvement in line with organisational goals
• Strategic Vision: Sees ahead to future possibilities and translates them into breakthrough strategies