Senior Manager-Finance Transformation

A key aspect of this role will be leading the finance transformation and continuous improvement initiatives including optimization of finance processes into the Pune Finance GCC and support transition of finance activities from UK/US and other geographies into Pune GCC. The successful candidate will bring hands-on experience finance transformation and continuous improvement including process optimisation, standardisation and automation. Should demonstrate experience of supporting or managing transitioning of Finance work into India-based operations ensuring knowledge is effectively transferred, controls maintained, and successful service delivery. The successful candidate will work closely with finance operations, finance leadership, IT, transformation teams and business stakeholders to ensure finance processes are scalable, efficient and aligned to global standards.
This role is ideally suited to an individual with strong finance operations experience, a process-improvement mindset and a passion for automation, standardisation and service excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Process Ownership & Governance

• Define and maintain end-to-end finance process documentation, SOPs and process maps.
• Establish process ownership and accountability across AP, AR and R2R functions.
• Develop and maintain process governance frameworks and control environments.
• Ensure consistent adherence to policies, approval authorities and compliance requirements.
• Monitor and improve process effectiveness across global finance operations.

Operational Excellence

• Drive service delivery performance across finance operations.
• Develop and monitor KPIs, SLAs and operational dashboards.
• Identify bottlenecks and implement sustainable solutions.
• Ensure finance processes are delivered accurately, efficiently and on time.
• Lead root-cause analysis and corrective action plans for operational issues.

Continuous Improvement & Transformation

• Champion Lean Six Sigma and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to simplify, standardise and automate finance processes.
• Support implementation of ERP enhancements and finance technology solutions.
• Partner with automation and technology teams to deploy workflow, AI and RPA solutions.
• Drive efficiency initiatives that reduce manual effort and improve controls.

Stakeholder Management

• Act as the primary operational liaison between GCC teams and global finance stakeholders.
• Build strong relationships with Finance Directors, Controllers and Business Leaders.
• Facilitate governance meetings and performance reviews.
• Ensure stakeholder concerns are addressed proactively and transparently.

Controls & Compliance

• Ensure processes operate within established control frameworks.
• Support internal and external audit requirements.
• Monitor process compliance and drive remediation of control weaknesses.
• Ensure adherence to regulatory, tax and financial reporting obligations.
• Support risk assessment and control enhancement initiatives.

Transition & Change Management

• Support the migration of finance processes into the GCC.
• Lead process discovery, documentation and knowledge transfer activities.
• Facilitate training and adoption of new processes and systems.
• Manage change impacts and stakeholder communications.

People Leadership

• Lead and develop finance operations teams.
• Coach team leads and process specialists.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Build capability in process excellence methodologies.
• Drive employee engagement and talent development initiatives.

Key Performance Indicators

• SLA and KPI achievement
• Process cycle-time improvements
• Automation and efficiency gains
• Reduction in process exceptions
• Audit and compliance outcomes
• Stakeholder satisfaction scores
• Service transition success measures
• Month-end close performance improvements
• Continuous improvement delivery metrics

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business or related discipline.
• Professional accounting qualification (ACCA, CIMA, CPA, CA or equivalent) preferred.
• 15+ years of experience within finance operations, GCC or global business services.
• Strong understanding of AP, AR and R2R processes.
• Proven experience process optimisation, standardisation & automation.
• Experience working in multinational and multi-entity environments.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Demonstrable experience leading operational teams.
• Experience establishing KPIs, SLAs and governance frameworks
• Knowledge of financial accounting, process, and systems.
• Good working knowledge and experience of ERP’s
• Ability to set clear priorities and objectives.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management.
• “Can-do” attitude with a proactive mindset.
• Confidence to challenge processes and stakeholders constructively.
• Analytical and problem-solving capability.
• Strong communication and influencing skills.

Desirable

• Insurance, legal or professional services experience.
• Lean Six Sigma certification.
• ERP implementation or transformation experience.
• Experience with Power BI, Power Automate, Copilot and workflow automation platforms
• Experience leading SSC migration or transition projects