Job Description
About this opportunity:
This is an exciting time to join our European Shared Service Centre (SSC) in Wantage as we evolve from a first‑generation finance operation into a mature, standardised and value‑driven service. As Controlling Finance Manager, you will lead the transformation of our Record to Report (R2R) function—shifting from a fragmented, transactional model to a unified, high‑quality controlling and reporting service that supports our European entities and manufacturing plants. You will be responsible for the accuracy and integrity of financial reporting, establishing best‑practice processes in a SOX‑controlled environment, and acting as a key link between the SSC, local finance teams and Group functions. This role offers the opportunity to elevate our controlling capability, drive automation and continuous improvement across SAP S/4HANA and OneStream and build a truly standardised service that anticipates and meets business needs.
Key Responsibilities And Accountabilities
Leadership and people management
Financial close, reporting and controlling
Statutory accounts, tax and external reporting
Controls, compliance and governance
Process excellence and continuous improvement
Systems, data and transformation
Stakeholder management and business partnering
Essential Qualifications
Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
Desirable Qualifications
Degree level qualifications in Finance, Accounting or Business Administration
Essential Skills And Experience
Significant senior experience leading Record to Report / Financial Reporting in a large, complex organisation.
Experience working in a complex, multi-entity, multi-currency listed corporate environment.
Proven experience within a Shared Service Centre or similar centralised finance model.
Strong background in management accounting, statutory reporting and balance sheet governance.
Experience operating across multiple legal entities, countries and reporting lines.
Deep understanding of best-practice R2R and controlling models.
Strong knowledge of SAP S/4HANA, OneStream or similar ERP and consolidation platforms.
Ability to draw clear conclusions from complex commercial and accounting issues and translate them into actionable plans and solutions that anticipate operational needs.
Excellent influencing skills across peer groups and senior leadership.
Strong problem-solving and issue-resolution capability.
Proven ability to deliver measurable performance and quality improvements.
Fluent English.
Desirable Skills And Experience
A career arc that shows experience in a controller role supporting operations and a transition into a larger, multi-site, multi-currency controller role.
Prior exposure to commercial finance – factoring, supply chain financing, lease finance
Experience supporting manufacturing operations and tolling models.
Experience working in a US-listed, SOX-controlled environment.
Exposure to European statutory and tax environments.
Experience implementing automation, workflow or reporting enhancements.
Exposure to finance transformation programmes.
Additional European language.
Essential Personal Attributes
Energetic, resilient and credible leader with a strong delivery mindset.
Comfortable operating in environments with legacy practices and driving cultural change.
Detail-focused while able to maintain a strategic, end-to-end perspective.
Strong coaching orientation, with a track record of developing finance talent.
Service-oriented, with a clear commitment to quality, transparency and accountability.
Desirable Personal Attributes
Ambition to progress within a growing European Shared Service and Group Finance environment.