Job Title: Financial Operations Manager
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced financial operations manager to join our team. In this role, you will be responsible for overseeing the financial management of a contract in North America worth approximately $100 million.
The successful candidate will have a proven track record in finance and commercial exposure with experience in business analysis, reporting, planning, and contractual management. They will also possess excellent communication skills, both written and spoken in English, and be able to work effectively across geographical borders and cultures.
This is a strategic and operational leadership position that requires strong analytical and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to lead and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
The ideal candidate will have a qualified accounting background (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) or equivalent within a comparable financial role ideally within the services industry. They will also have at least 2 years' experience in finance, commercial exposure to support and business partner to finance and operations, experience of financial modelling, matrix management experience, and experience of working across geographical borders and cultures.
In return, we offer a hybrid working model, flexible working hours, health and life insurance, meal allowance paid in meal card, additional days off, opportunity to grow professionally inside the company, possibility to participate in multicultural projects, and several internal activities aiming to promote our team's wellbeing.
Key Responsibilities
* Commercial: Support the Operational Team(s) in commercial decision making. Analyse and identify any financial or commercial trends or insight to optimize decision making and/or improve performance. Understand contract requirements, key levers and process and when to use them and ensure contract compliance to the commercial/financial terms.
* Compliance: Ensure Sodexo's Client Reporting Platform shows reliable Financial data in compliance with the contract. Ensure proper governance and delegation of authority on all types of spend (IFM, non-IFM, core and discretionary, special & emergency, projects). Ensure adequate, automated, documentation and speed of execution of change control process, including client budget review whilst ensuring Sodexo financial returns.
* Financial: Lead the budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes, working closely with operational leads to ensure alignment with strategic objectives. Regular updated tracking of full year forecast costs by workstream versus Budget and work with account site teams to drive saving initiatives and change controls. Prepare, analyse, and present monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports in accordance with applicable account standards. Conduct variance analysis and deliver actionable insights to drive financial performance improvements.
* Savings Tracker: Manage a comprehensive savings tracker tool to monitor and report on cost-saving initiatives across the portfolio. Collaborate with operational teams to identify, quantify, and validate savings opportunities in procurement, process, and labor optimization. Track progress against savings targets, ensuring initiatives are implemented effectively and benefits are realised. Prepare and share regular savings reports with senior management, highlighting successes, challenges, and recommendations for further action. Champion a culture of continuous improvement and cost consciousness throughout the organisation.
* Risk Register Management: Maintain, and continuously update a comprehensive risk register that tracks financial, operational, compliance, and strategic risks. Work with cross-functional teams to identify and assess risks, determining likelihood, impact. Monitor risk mitigation plans, ensuring timely execution and effectiveness in reducing exposure. Present regular risk updates to leadership, highlighting emerging threats and recommending proactive actions.
Requirements
* Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) or equivalent within a comparable financial role ideally within the services industry.
* Proven track record in finance (minimum 2 years' experience).
* Commercial exposure to support and business partner to finance and operations.
* Experience of financial modelling.
* Matrix management experience.
* Experience of working across geographical borders and cultures.
* Excellent communication skills, both written and spoken in English.
* Process oriented.
* Rigorous and analytical.
* Hands-on pro-active approach.
* Proven ability to work in a collaborative way.
What We Offer
* Hybrid working model.
* Flexible working hours.
* Health and life insurance.
* Meal allowance paid in meal card.
* Additional days off.
* Opportunity to grow professionally inside the company.
* Possibility to participate in multicultural projects.
* Several internal activities aiming to promote our team's wellbeing.