Head of Finance Jobs in London (No ghost jobs, direct from employers)

The Apex Group was established in Bermuda in 2003 and is now one of the world's largest fund administration and middle office solutions providers.

Our business is unique in its ability to reach globally, service locally and provide cross-jurisdictional services. With our clients at the heart of everything we do, our hard-working team has successfully delivered on an unprecedented growth and transformation journey, and we are now represented by over circa 13,000 employees across 112 offices worldwide.Your career with us should reflect your energy and passion.

That's why, at Apex Group, we will do more than simply 'empower' you. We will work to supercharge your unique skills and experience.

Take the lead and we'll give you the support you need to be at the top of your game. And we offer you the freedom to be a positive disrupter and turn big ideas into bold, industry-changing realities.

For our business, for clients, and for you

Head of Finance

To lead the Finance function for your business unit, ensuring financial integrity, regulatory compliance, effective financial management, and strategic partnership to support business growth and profitability. The role is responsible for financial control, planning, analysis, governance, and transformation initiatives, ensuring alignment with regional and Group objectives while providing insightful financial leadership to support executive decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Finance Leadership

• Act as a trusted business partner to Managing Directors, Regional Finance Heads, COO and senior leadership teams, providing financial insight and challenge to support strategic decision-making.
• Develop and implement financial strategies that support the growth, profitability and long-term objectives of International Business & Distribution.
• Support business leaders in evaluating strategic initiatives, investments, acquisitions, client opportunities and commercial decisions.
• Lead multi-year financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, capital planning and scenario modelling to support sustainable growth.
• Provide financial analysis and commercial insight on pricing, profitability, client economics, resource allocation and business performance.

Financial Management & Control

• Provide leadership, oversight and governance of the Finance function, ensuring robust financial controls and compliance with Group policies.
• Work with Financial Controllers, MDs, COO and Regional Finance Heads to ensure financial information supports effective management of business performance, risk and profitability.
• Oversee the preparation and completion of monthly management accounts and reporting submissions to Group Finance.
• Supervise, coordinate and execute the preparation of annual statutory financial statements and annual reports.
• Act as the primary point of contact for accounting, valuation and complex indirect tax matters.
• Ensure compliance with IFRS, applicable local GAAP requirements and Group accounting policies.
• Lead cash flow forecasting, liquidity management and working capital optimisation initiatives.
• Ensure effective governance and control over financial master data, reporting structures and financial systems.

Regulatory, Risk & Governance

• Oversee all regulatory reporting and disclosures, ensuring compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and engagement with supervisory authorities.
• Prepare ad hoc regulatory submissions and disclosures in consultation with management boards where required.
• Oversee annual FATCA and CRS reporting in conjunction with the Head of Compliance.
• Identify, assess and manage financial, operational and regulatory risks, ensuring appropriate mitigation plans are established and monitored.
• Draft, prepare and present Board and Committee papers and financial reporting required for governance and corporate oversight.
• Prepare finance reports and presentations for Boards, Committees and senior management.

Audit & External Relationships

• Act as the primary relationship manager for external auditors, tax advisers, regulators and other key external stakeholders.
• Manage the annual audit process, ensuring timely resolution of audit findings and reporting challenges.
• Oversee relationships with outsourced providers and third-party service partners to ensure service quality, compliance and value delivery.

Finance Transformation & Operational Excellence

• Drive finance transformation initiatives, process standardisation and automation across the Finance function.
• Continuously review finance processes, controls and operating models to identify opportunities for efficiency, scalability and best practice.
• Lead the optimisation, implementation and adoption of finance systems and reporting tools to support business growth and operational excellence.
• Ensure financial considerations are embedded in new business initiatives, projects and organisational change programmes.
• Ensure effective execution of finance operations and reporting processes supporting new business activity.

People Leadership

• Lead, develop and inspire a high-performing Finance team across multiple locations and jurisdictions.
• Build and maintain a fit-for-purpose finance organisation with appropriate capability, succession planning and resource allocation.
• Establish clear objectives, accountability measures and performance expectations across the Finance team.
• Coach, mentor and develop team members to enhance technical capability, leadership effectiveness and career progression.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, ownership and excellence.

Stakeholder Management

• Build strong relationships with Regional Finance Heads, business leaders and support functions across the Group.
• Liaise closely with the Regional Head of Finance and other Regional Finance leaders to ensure consistency of financial management and reporting practices.
• Partner with business lines and corporate functions to understand commercial objectives and provide effective financial support.

Skills & Experience

• University degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics or a related discipline.
• Professionally qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CPA, CA or equivalent).
• Minimum 10 years' progressive finance experience, including senior finance leadership responsibility within the financial services industry.
• Strong experience in financial control, statutory reporting, regulatory reporting and business partnering.
• Demonstrated success leading geographically dispersed and international finance teams.
• Extensive experience working with executive management, Boards and senior stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of IFRS, local GAAP requirements and financial services regulatory environments.
• Experience managing external auditors, regulators, tax advisers and professional service providers.
• Proven ability to influence executive decision-making through financial insight and strategic business partnering.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience driving profitability, operational efficiency and business performance.
• Experience leading finance transformation, automation and process improvement initiatives.
• Advanced systems and reporting expertise, preferably including Workday Financial Management and related analytical tools.
• Excellent communication, presentation and stakeholder-management skills.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced international environment, managing multiple priorities and time zones.
• High degree of integrity, professionalism, resilience and accountability.

Disclaimer: Unsolicited CVs sent to Apex (Talent Acquisition Team or Hiring Managers) by recruitment agencies will not be accepted for this position. Apex operates a direct sourcing model and where agency assistance is required, the Talent Acquisition team will engage directly with our exclusive recruitment partners.