Head of Finance
Bureau Veritas Group
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Hybrid
Location: Manchester • France
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Job Level
Tech Stack
About the role
- This position provides strategic leadership of the UK Finance Shared Service Centre (SSC), overseeing core financial operations including General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Credit Control, and Treasury functions.
- Lead the UK Finance Shared Service Centre, ensuring accurate, timely and compliant delivery across General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Credit Control and Treasury
- Own month‑end and year‑end close, balance sheet integrity, UK statutory accounts and corporation tax submissions
- Maintain a robust financial control environment and lead remediation of control issues
- Act as the main point of contact for external and internal auditors, Group Finance, HMRC, banks and senior stakeholders
- Drive cash generation, optimise working capital and resolve complex debt and payment issues
- Own and report on key working capital metrics (DSO, CIDS, cash collection performance)
- Develop, track and communicate Finance SSC KPIs and service performance
- Build and continuously improve an efficient, scalable Finance SSC operating model across all UK divisions
- Lead process standardisation, automation and end‑to‑end improvement initiatives
- Support ERP system optimisation and develop a network of key users and super‑users
- Lead the integration of new divisions and acquisitions into the SSC
- Lead, develop and engage a large, diverse finance team, building capability and succession
- Set clear performance standards and role‑model strong leadership behaviours
- Partner with the UK Finance Director on strategic initiatives and transformation projects
- Accurate and timely P&L, Balance Sheet and period‑end reporting
- Finance SSC performance dashboards and KPIs
- Strong audit outcomes and regulatory compliance
- Improved working capital and cash performance
- Consistent, high‑quality finance service delivery across the UK
Requirements
- Proven financial management experience
- Experience with process automation and continuous improvement methodologies
- Knowledge of working capital optimisation and cash management
- Familiarity with FLEX processes or similar governance frameworks
- Experience supporting external and internal audit functions
- Experience of working within a large international group
- Experience of delivering change and transformation programmes within a shared service centre environment
- Leadership/development of a large diverse finance team
- Effective communicator and influencer, both verbal and written, to peers, business partners and senior managers
- Professional accounting qualification (ACCA, ACA, or equivalent)
Benefits
- Competitive salary
- 25 days holiday + 8 bank holidays with the option to buy or sell 5 holidays, plus an option to carry over 5 days
- Combined employee/employer pension contributions of up to 12%
- Flexible working
- Flexible benefits scheme, to suit what is important to you including Life Cover, Private health care, Dental Care, GymFlex, Techscheme, Enhanced Maternity/Paternity policy, Give as You Earn scheme & Travel Insurance
- Health and Wellbeing Support through; Mental Health First aiders, Employee Assistance programme & Smart Health services
Applicant Tracking System Keywords
Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.
Hard Skills & Tools
financial managementprocess automationcontinuous improvement methodologiesworking capital optimisationcash managementaudit functionschange managementtransformation programmesfinancial reportingfinancial control
Soft Skills
leadershipcommunicationinfluencingteam developmentstakeholder engagementperformance managementproblem-solvingstrategic thinkingcollaborationadaptability
Certifications
ACCAACAprofessional accounting qualification