Operational Finance Lead

Job Summary

The Operational Finance Lead is responsible for providing strategic financial leadership, governance, and decision support across the CTO organisation. The role partners closely with senior Technology and Finance leadership to drive financial discipline, optimise technology investments, ensure effective budget management, and support strategic decision-making across a complex and evolving technology landscape.

The role leads a team of Operational Finance Analysts, providing coaching, direction and oversight to ensure the delivery of high-quality financial planning, forecasting, reporting and governance activities. The position acts as a trusted advisor to Technology Leadership Teams, enabling data-driven decisions and ensuring effective management of Technology Opex and investment budgets.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Finance Business Partnering

• Act as the primary finance partner to senior Technology leaders, supporting strategic planning, investment decisions, and portfolio prioritisation.
• Provide insight and challenge to stakeholders to drive accountability, cost optimisation, and effective utilisation of technology budgets.
• Support Technology and Finance leadership with financial analysis and recommendations for emerging risks, opportunities, and funding decisions.
• Influence decision-making through timely, data-driven financial insights and scenario modelling.

Budget Management, Planning Forecasting

• Lead the annual planning process, quarterly forecast updates, and in-year financial management activities across the Enterprise Platforms portfolio.
• Own the consolidation, governance, and management of technology operating budgets, ensuring alignment to business priorities and financial targets.
• Provide proactive oversight of budget consumption, forecast accuracy, financial risks, and cost-saving opportunities.
• Facilitate financial reviews with leadership teams, ensuring clear visibility of performance against plan and agreed actions.

Financial Governance Controls

• Ensure robust financial governance and compliance with company policies, controls, and delegated authority frameworks.
• Oversee month-end financial activities, including accruals, prepayments, cross-charges, and forecasting accuracy in partnership with Tech Finance teams.
• Ensure all financial commitments are appropriately governed through contracts, purchase orders, and approved funding mechanisms.
• Maintain transparency and integrity of financial reporting across towers.

Team Leadership Stakeholder Management

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Operational Finance Analysts, ensuring effective prioritization, delivery, and capability development.
• Foster a high-performance culture focused on collaboration, continuous improvement, and stakeholder service.
• Build strong relationships across Technology, Finance and procurement to support effective financial management and governance.
• Act as an escalation and decision point for complex financial matters and stakeholder requirements.

Reporting, Analytics Continuous Improvement

• Oversee delivery of management reporting, financial performance analysis, and executive-level presentations.
• Lead financial modelling and business case analysis to support technology investments and operational decisions.
• Drive process simplification, automation, and reporting enhancements to improve efficiency, control, and insight generation.
• Support finance transformation initiatives, system enhancements, and adoption of best practices across the function.

Qualifications and skills

Essential

• Masters Degree in Commerce, Finance, Business Administration, or equivalent professional qualification (CA, CMA/ICWA, ACCA, etc.).
• Minimum 15+ years experience in Finance or a related analytical function.
• Strong experience in Finance, FPA, Technology Finance, or Business Finance environments.
• Proven track record of managing large and complex operating budgets and forecasting processes.
• Experience leading and developing finance teams.
• Strong business partnering skills with the ability to influence and challenge senior stakeholders.
• Extensive experience in budgeting, forecasting, financial modelling, variance analysis, and performance management.
• Strong understanding of financial governance, accounting processes, and internal controls.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-support capabilities.
• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, including experience presenting to senior leadership teams.

Key Success Measures

• Effective management of Technology Opex and financial performance against targets.
• Delivery of accurate forecasts, budgets, and financial insights.
• Strong stakeholder satisfaction and business partnership outcomes.
• Identification and delivery of cost optimisation opportunities.
• Effective management and development of the Operations Finance team.
• Continuous improvement of reporting, governance, and financial processes.

Disclaimer: This job posting has been aggregated from external source. Role details, content, and availability are subject to change. Applicants are advised to confirm the latest information directly on the company website before applying.