Head of Finance Operations

Fixed Term Contract Duration - 11 Months

About the Business

The Head of Finance Operations will play a key part in the delivery of the Group's strategy by ensuring the Group's financial operations remain well controlled. Quilter plc is a leading wealth management business, helping to enable brighter financial futures for every generation.

Quilter plc oversees £116.2 billion in customer investments (as at end September 2024). It has an adviser and customer offering spanning financial advice, investment platforms, multi-asset investment solutions, and discretionary fund management.

The business is comprised of two segments: Affluent and High Net Worth.

Affluent encompasses the financial planning businesses, Quilter Financial Planning, the Quilter investment platform, and Quilter Investors, the Multi-asset investment solutions business.

High Net Worth includes the discretionary fund management business, Quilter Cheviot, together with Quilter Private Client Advisers.

Our business is transforming, continually modernizing, and becoming even more customer-centric. So, if you want to be bold in the pursuit of your ambitions, bring new ideas, and challenge and evolve what we do, it's the perfect time to join us!

About the Role

Level: Level 6

Department: Group Finance

Location: Southampton

Contract type: Fixed Term Contract 12 months

The Head of Finance Operations will be instrumental in advancing the Group's strategy. This role is pivotal in ensuring that financial operations are not only well-controlled but also highly efficient, optimizing the benefits of Quilter's investment in advanced reporting systems and processes. By meticulously managing these financial operations, the Head of Finance Operations will support the Group in achieving its strategic goals, fostering an environment of excellence and continuous improvement. Their expertise will be crucial in driving operational effectiveness, enhancing decision-making, and ultimately contributing to the Group's long-term success.

The Head of Finance Operations will be a catalyst for transformation and embedding a newly formed team within finance, driving the integrity of our finance data, systems, and controls.

The role will involve defining this newly combined team's role within Finance and the wider business and developing the people and processes to deliver this.

This position is crucial in building strong relationships within the Finance department and other functions and ensuring accurate delivery of trial balance and related outputs for all internal and external financial reporting of Quilter's results. Reporting to the Group Finance Director and as part of the Senior Leadership team in Group Finance, this role oversees a team of approximately twenty.

Financial Ledger Integrity and Control:

• Lead all automated and manual processes feeding into the general ledger.
• Ensure accurate creation of the trial balance, capturing the full P&L impact of integration processes.
• Oversee all reconciliations to comply with relevant requirements, promote good governance, and provide a comprehensive understanding of the balance sheet for Financial Controllers.

Systems and Data Management:

• Ensure the integrity and reliability of the primary finance application (Workday) and its related integrations.
• Manage end-to-end processes for creating, maintaining, and standardizing procedures, ensuring thorough documentation.
• Lead a small, systems-focused team and liaise with Technology teams to maintain system stability, evaluate updates, and implement changes to finance applications and integrations.

Accounts Payable & Receivable:

• Collaborate with the AP/AR manager to oversee invoice processing, payments, and supplier management, working closely with the Procurement function.
• Manage both internal and external reporting related to payables and oversee the growing receivables processes, including billing, invoicing, and associated inputs across the Group.

Strategic Impact: The Head of Finance Operations will play a pivotal role in delivering the Group's strategy and fostering team development for future succession planning. This role is essential in embedding change, driving continuous improvement, and enhancing operational excellence across financial operations.

About You

Ideal candidates will have a proven history demonstrating skills and knowledge in the following areas:

• Leadership Skills: Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team.
• Strategic Thinking: Strong strategic mindset with the ability to align financial operations with the broader business strategy.
• Problem-Solving: Strong problem-solving skills to address operational challenges and drive continuous improvement.
• Attention to Detail: High level of accuracy and attention to detail in managing financial data and controls.
• Communication Skills: Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• Change Management: Experience in leading transformational projects and embedding change within an organization.
• Governance and Compliance: Thorough understanding of financial regulations, governance, and compliance requirements.
• Financial Acumen: Solid grounding in financial principles, including ledger management, reconciliations, and reporting.
• Stakeholder Management: Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Innovative Mindset: A proactive approach to identifying and implementing innovative solutions to enhance operational efficiency.
• Ethical Integrity: Commitment to maintaining the highest standards of ethical integrity and professionalism.

Inclusion & Diversity

We value diversity and strive to promote inclusivity in all aspects of our culture. We believe in equal opportunities for all, ensuring that no applicant encounters less favourable treatment based on anything but their skills, qualifications, experience, and potential. We celebrate the unique contributions of a diverse workforce and create a respectful, nurturing environment where every colleague can thrive.

Values

Do the right thing: We act with integrity and are proudly committed to going above and beyond in service of our clients and the support we provide our communities.
Always curious: We continuously seek new ideas and knowledge so we're one step ahead of our clients' needs. We look for inspiration everywhere and encourage experimentation, recognising that this is how we create brilliant solutions for brighter futures.
Embrace challenge: We aim high to transform our potential into meaningful outcomes. With ambition as our driving force and a steadfast commitment to growth, we succeed for the good of every generation.
Stronger together: Combining our diverse talents, we accomplish more collectively than we ever could do alone. We speak openly, actively listen, and support each other, and constructively challenge and embrace new ideas. We seek empowerment and demonstrate ownership and trust, with the confidence to make impactful decisions.

Core Benefits

Holiday: 182 hours (26 days)

Quilter Incentive Scheme: All employees are eligible to participate in incentive scheme, to incentivise business performance and their contribution.

Pension Scheme: A non-contributory company pension scheme that can be boosted through personal contributions.

Healthcare Cash Plan: Jersey employees only.

Benefit Allowance: A cash benefit allowance is payable in lieu of some of our core benefits.

In addition to our core benefits, we offer a range of flexible benefits to UK employees that you can choose from and pay for conveniently via a salary deduction.