Head of Finance Operations

Dartmouth Partners are currently supporting a global, industry-leading Private Equity backed Software company who operate across multiple jurisdictions globally. The business has ambitious growth plans and has had a phenomenal past 18 months. This hire is critical to the future success of the business. The Role: You will be a critical leader driving the business' financial operations, ensuring rigorous financial management, operational excellence, and full regulatory compliance. This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of the finance function by developing and executing cutting-edge policies and procedures, with a strong focus on integrating technology and AI to enhance efficiency. This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic, high-performing finance professional with a proven track record in Private Equity-backed environments. The successful candidate will be at the forefront of transforming their financial operations, implementing strategic change, and delivering robust financial controls to support the company’s ambitious growth trajectory. If you're passionate about driving continuous improvement and making a tangible impact in a fast-paced, high-growth company, this role is for you. Key Responsibilities: Take ownership of day-to-day financial operations, ensuring precision and efficiency in the execution of key processes such as supplier payments, expense management, and payroll, driving operational excellence. Design, implement, and continuously refine robust financial controls and procedures, ensuring a best-in-class governance framework that enhances accountability and transparency across financial operations. Champion the adoption of AP best practices, including optimizing supplier invoicing, fostering strategic supplier relationships, and leveraging AP analytics to deliver insightful KPI reporting and drive performance improvements. Partner with the Credit Control Manager to design and execute a high-impact collections strategy, ensuring rapid and effective receivables collection while continuously monitoring and analyzing aged debt. Implement key performance indicators (KPIs) to drive optimal performance in the credit control function. Provide strategic guidance to the Credit Control Manager, fostering strong relationships with key internal and external stakeholders to support efficient operations. Lead the push for AI integration, challenging the team to leverage cutting-edge technology to boost efficiency and enhance performance metrics. Ensure aged balances are aggressively managed and resolved, minimizing risk and improving cash flow. Deliver top-tier reporting and analysis for executive and board-level audiences, delivering actionable insights that inform strategic decision-making. Conduct deep-dive data analysis to uncover trends and pinpoint areas for operational improvement across Financial Operations. Present clear, data-driven recommendations to senior management and stakeholders, positioning financial operations for continuous enhancement and growth. Lead, mentor, and develop high-performing operational finance teams (Accounts Payable and Credit Control), driving both personal and departmental success in line with ambitious business objectives. Cultivate a high-performance culture, fostering continuous professional growth and development while empowering the team to excel in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. Identify and capitalize on opportunities for process optimization and automation within operational finance, positioning the team for greater efficiency and scalability. Design and implement transformative improvements to current processes and systems, with a focus on cash collection and accounts payable, streamlining workflows and integrating automation to drive operational excellence and enhanced financial outcomes. Skills & Experience: Strong academic background with a qualification as a Chartered Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA), ideally with first-time exam passes. Proven expertise in developing scalable, efficient processes in senior finance roles, with experience in operational finance and credit control, preferably in a Private Equity environment. Exceptional analytical, communication, and influencing skills (both written and verbal), with a strong commercial focus gained from prior roles. Demonstrated success in leading and developing high-performing teams. Strong leadership and people management capabilities, with a track record of driving team performance. Advanced Excel skills, including experience working with large datasets and building financial models. Proficient in financial software systems. Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders. A proactive self-starter, able to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and consistently meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.