Finance Operations Manager

Job Title: Finance Operations Manager Department: Finance Reports to: Chief Financial Officer Number of Reports: 7 Hours of Work: 09:00 - 17:30 Monday to Friday Contract Type: Permanent Location: Brighton Salary Range: DOE PURPOSE OF ROLE: The Finance Operations Manager will take full leadership and responsibility for the finance operations function, including managing a team of non or part-qualified finance assistants. Your day to day responsibilities will include establishing best practice, process improvements, embedding strong controls and making use of the system capabilities of SAP. You will be responsible for cost analysis, supporting the annual audit, performance reviews and direct tax calculations and payments. DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: * Ensure transactional finance operations (Procure to Pay, Order to Cash, Payroll and Treasury Management) are operating efficiently and effectively * Introduction of technology to support scalable and efficient proceses and integrating with existing systems * Developing the finance operations team, guide and mentor 7 direct reports. Provide training, feedback and on-the-job mentoring. * Ensuring that the finance team has documented processes and procedures. * Lead month-end sub-ledger close process for AP, AR, Treasury and Payroll ensuring that all associated Balance Sheet accounts are reconciled on a timely basis. * Preparation of operational cashflows and oversee liquidity management. * Manage banking mandates and corporate credit card facilities. * Ownership of Group Travel & Expense policy. * Ownership of Delegation of Authority matrix. * Timely reviews and approval of working capital balance sheet accounts and general ledger account reconciliations. * Participation in process improvement activities including transition to a new Payroll provider. * Development of SLA's and supporting implementation of single chart of accounts and multi-dimensional reporting. * Development of a suite of KPI's & reports to enable decision making. * Managing a range of internal and external relationships, including internal customers, banking partners, auditors, HMRC, payroll bureau, pension providers & system support partners. EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: * A strong sense of what excellence looks like. * A can-do attitude with the ability to engage with stakeholders across the business. * Qualified Accountant with significant experience of managing Finance Operations. * SAP knowledge essential. KEY SKILLS & COMPETENCIES: Flexibility: * Ability to respond to last minute changes * Willingness to take on new challenges, possibly outside own 'comfort zone' * Able to 'think on own feet' and manage the unexpected * Understands that the needs of the school may require flexible, mutually understood approaches to work Customer Focussed: * Responds to customer requests promptly * Treats all customers with respect * Does not assume the needs of customers * Is able to see things from customers' points of view * Check with customers to ensure satisfaction * Knows how to manage customer expectations and inform customer clearly on this Self Awareness: * Understands own strengths and weaknesses * Is able to recognise how own feelings and emotions may impact on others * Accepts feedback as constructive and is not defensive * Understands expectations of others Analytical & Problem Solving * Is disciplined and organised * Able to deal with large amounts of data and make sense of it * Has a measured and organised approach to solving problems * Breaks down large amounts of work into smaller, manageable parts * Is quick and effective at processing information Cultural Understanding * Is open to new ideas and differences and shows willingness in understanding of own and other cultures * Recognises the need for flexibility and sensitivity in dealing with cross-cultural issues. * Adapts behaviour to context and culture of people communicating with * Uses experience to improve self-awareness and increase own cultural knowledge * Judges situation based on a good knowledge of a range of cultures Good Communication * Is friendly and optimistic with people s/he meets * Understands what needs communicating and how, when and to who * Knows how to communicate with confidence and appropriateness to a situation * Is open about discussing their own role and work * Understands the importance of everyday courtesy Working with Others * Understands and works on team success for the whole team * Understands own role and expectations of their role in their own team and the wider school team * Has a strong awareness of how team dynamics work * Treats the concerns of other departments as important * Co-operates to meet team goals even at expense of personal preferences British Study Centres is committed to providing a creative, rewarding and successful learning and working environment for our students and staff. We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome all interest in joining our team. Shortlisted appli