Head of Finance Operations

Term: 18mth Fixed Term Contract Location: London Job purpose: In this fixed-term transformation role, the Head of Finance Operations will lead the end-to-end modernisation of the organisation’s Accounts Payable (AP), Accounts Receivable (AR), and Payroll functions. The primary mandate is to develop and transition global financial operations into a streamlined, scalable model that ensures rigorous compliance and efficiency. Reporting to the Deputy CFO, this London-based position will lead the functional teams through this period of change, establishing a robust operational framework for the future. A key focus of this role is to optimise, standardise, and automate finance processes to strengthen controls, improve service quality, and ensure deadlines are consistently met. Special focus will be on the need to operationalise the Global Payroll project as it moves from project to business as usual. The role will also establish and monitor service-level agreements (SLAs) to ensure timely and accurate delivery of Finance Operations services. Principal accountabilities: Leadership & Management This role is a senior role within the finance team and as such will be expected to lead and develop teams, fostering a high performance culture, accountability, and continuous improvement. Ensure effective resource planning and workload management to meet business deadlines and service expectations. Build strong cross-functional relationships with internal stakeholders including Procurement, HR, Treasury, and Financial Control. This includes providing support during any audits. Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable Manage the team responsible for the end-to-end AP process and AR processes. Maintain robust controls and monitor the performance of key SLA’s and KPI’s. Payroll Manage the Global Payroll team and oversee the accurate and timely processing of all payroll activities. Build and maintain a clear and effective end to end payroll process addressing both standard and complex payrolls. Lead the payroll related processes and activities required from any Global Mobility queries or requests triggered by the HR team. Onboard and lead the set up and execution of any additional payrolls or shadow payrolls around the world as required. Ensure compliance with all relevant employment tax and payroll compliance legislation. Track the performance of the external payroll providers and drive performance improvement initiatives as required. Partner with HR to ensure payroll inputs are complete, validated, and aligned with contractual and policy requirements. Process Optimisation & Automation Drive continuous improvement initiatives across Finance Operations to streamline processes, reduce manual effort, and enhance control. Identify opportunities for automation through technology, workflow tools, and system enhancements. Standardise processes and documentation to ensure consistency and reduce operational risk. Controls, Compliance & Reporting Ensure statutory, regulatory, and internal policy compliance across AP, AR, and Payroll. Develop and monitor KPIs, SLAs, and operational metrics to measure performance and service quality. Prepare regular reporting for senior management on operational performance, risks, and improvement initiatives. Systems & Technology Lead the Finance System activities within the Finance team for enhancements or maintenance to the Finance systems (primarily ERP, Reporting etc) Act as a senior stakeholder in finance systems improvements and upgrades. Ensure systems are used effectively and teams are trained to maximise capability. Collaborate with IT and system providers to address issues and optimise workflows. Qualifications, Knowledge & Experience Qualifications Degree in Finance, Accounting or Business operations desirable. Knowledge & Experience Extensive experience leading Finance Operations functions with strong expertise in Payroll, supported by good knowledge of Accounts Receivables and Accounts Payable. Demonstrable ex…