Associate Director – Finance Shared Services

About the role

We are seeking an experienced Associate Director to lead our Finance Shared Services function in Gatwick. This senior leadership role will drive transformation across accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, credit control, expenses and payments, leveraging technology and automation.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the Finance Operations function across AP, AR, credit control, expenses and payments.
• Develop and deliver a long‑term Finance Operations and transformation strategy.
• Improve service experience for internal and external stakeholders.
• Drive process improvement, standardisation and simplification.
• Lead digital transformation initiatives, including automation, workflow, self‑service and AI.
• Maximise the value of Workday and related finance technologies.
• Ensure processes are scalable, efficient, well‑controlled and compliant.
• Provide oversight of financial governance, audit readiness and data integrity.
• Manage complex stakeholder relationships and act as senior escalation point.
• Lead, develop and motivate a high‑performing team.

Required profile

• Proven experience leading a significant Finance Operations or Shared Services function.
• Hands‑on management of AP, AR, payroll, expenses and payments.
• Track record of delivering process improvement and business transformation.
• Experience implementing or maximising ERP and finance technologies, ideally Workday.
• Ability to introduce automation, self‑service and digitally enabled ways of working.
• Strong stakeholder management and executive‑level influencing skills.
• Solid foundation in accounting and bookkeeping.

Required skills

• Workday
• ERP systems
• Automation tools
• Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Accounting / bookkeeping