Head of Finance Systems & Data

Overview

Head of Finance Systems and Data

Halma has a decentralised operating model with autonomous operating companies (OpCos) and a global consolidation and reporting system. The role focuses on maximizing value from finance systems by aligning business needs with technology and delivering on continuous improvement, mid-term vision, and roadmap for finance systems to support growth, regulatory compliance, and decision-making.

Role

The purpose of the role is to act as the bridge between business users and technology teams, ensuring finance systems deliver against business needs. The role will drive continuous improvement priorities in the short term and align to the mid-term vision and roadmap for finance systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Product Owner for the critical finance consolidation system (Tagetik) and other finance systems (Sage, Anaplan, Concur, Kyriba and RiskHub) in service of Halma companies and functional SMEs in the Group/Sector.
• Accountable for configuration, ongoing management and updates to Halma's finance systems.
• Optimise finance systems and processes to enable predictable, compliant, controlled, and efficient outputs on time with minimum errors, delays and manual effort.
• Lead cross-functional teams including finance, technology and third-party vendors to determine root causes, troubleshoot and resolve defects in finance systems in accordance with internal service level agreements.
• Identify knowledge gaps through observation, monitoring system usage, case management ticket analysis, and regular conversations with key stakeholders. Propose training based on findings.
• Define and prioritise finance process improvements, blueprint and roadmap in partnership with technology and business teams, ensuring clear alignment between business priorities and technology delivery. Act as a single point of contact for all business demand.
• Influence stakeholders and drive clarity in the execution of the finance systems roadmap, ensuring successful and consistent rollout of deliverables across the group.
• In partnership with the Technology team, monitor and input into the performance management and course corrections of finance system vendors and AMS partners.
• Build and lead a Finance Systems team with capability across systems, data, and finance process excellence, fostering a culture of discipline and continuous improvement.

Personal Characteristics

• Strong business partnering skills, putting the needs of the organisation first
• Strong presentation and communication skills; explains technical concepts clearly
• Highly dependable, organized, reliable and proactive
• Urgent, deadline-driven with a sense of urgency
• Ability to set up team routines to ensure timely delivery in line with user expectations
• Practical, realistic problem solver and ability to prioritise opportunities
• Influences across organisational levels
• Understands finance processes and stakeholder priorities
• Experience in developing, implementing, and using operating systems/technology for financial reporting and insights
• Ability to connect P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow across periods and communicate implications to non-financial stakeholders
• Proven leader in coaching, training and developing diverse talent
• Passion for continuous improvement in service of growing system users' satisfaction
• Entrepreneurial with a strong drive to succeed

The Team

Reports to: Director of Finance, Performance and Insights

Direct Reports: Finance Systems Manager, Reporting and Data Specialist and Finance Systems Analyst