The Head of Financial Operations will work closely with the Head of Financial Control to ensure seamless financial processes, operational efficiency and compliance across the Group. The role is pivotal to ensuring the financial integrity and success of Waystone.

Financial Operations Management

• Lead and manage the Shared Service Centre (SSC) to deliver high-quality financial operations across the Group.
• Oversee the Accounts Payable function, ensuring timely and accurate processing of vendor payments.
• Manage intercompany accounting processes, ensuring accuracy of calculations, reconciliations and reporting across all jurisdictions.
• Oversee bank reconciliations and cash management activities to optimize working capital.
• Ensure robust payment controls and authorization workflows are in place to mitigate financial risks.
• Develop and implement best practices to enhance efficiency and accuracy in financial operations.

Systems & ERP Management

• Own the Group’s financial systems pertaining to Financial Operations, including ERP and Accounts Payable workflow platforms, ensuring they meet the needs of the business.
• Oversee the continuous improvement and optimization of financial systems and automation initiatives.
• Work with IT and external vendors to implement system upgrades, enhancements, and integrations.
• Ensure standardization of financial data and processes across all entities within the ERP system.
• Drive digital transformation initiatives to streamline financial operations and improve reporting capabilities.
• Provide financial systems support for mergers, acquisitions, and other strategic initiatives.

Governance, Compliance & Controls

• Develop and enforce financial policies and procedures to ensure operational compliance with internal controls.
• Ensure financial operations adhere to Group policies and external regulatory requirements.
• Lead internal and external audits related to financial operations, ensuring compliance and timely resolution of findings.
• Implement strong internal controls to mitigate financial risks and ensure data integrity.
• Ensure intercompany transactions are properly documented and aligned with transfer pricing policies.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Management

• Work closely with the Head of Financial Controlling to ensure seamless alignment between financial operations and financial reporting.
• Collaborate with Treasury, Tax, VAT and FP&A teams to support overall financial strategy and operational execution.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with senior management and business units to support operational needs and strategic initiatives.
• Act as the key liaison with external banking and financial service providers to manage payment infrastructure.
• Provide financial operational support for mergers, acquisitions, and other strategic initiatives.

Process Improvement & Efficiency

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within financial operations to increase efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance controls.
• Implement automation and process enhancements to streamline Accounts Payable, reconciliations, and payment processes.
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor and improve the performance of the Shared Service Centre.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and development to build a high-performing finance operations team.

Team Development and Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of finance professionals within the Shared Service Centre.
• Ensure clear roles, responsibilities, and career progression opportunities for team members.
• Foster a collaborative and results-driven work environment, promoting best practices in financial operations.
• Drive a culture of accountability, operational excellence, and innovation within the team.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or a related field; a professional accounting qualification is preferred.
• Recent and relevant post qualified experience.

Experience

• Minimum of 10+ years of experience in financial operations, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Strong experience in managing financial shared service centres (SSC) and multi-jurisdictional financial operations.
• Expertise in Accounts Payable, Bank Reconciliations, Intercompany Accounting, and Payment Processing.
• Experience in financial systems, ERP implementation, and process automation.
• Strong understanding of financial controls, compliance requirements, and regulatory frameworks.
• Excellent stakeholder management and leadership skills.
• Proven track record in process improvement, financial transformation, and operational excellence.
• Advanced proficiency in financial management systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Sage Intacct) and Microsoft Office Suite.