The Role

Lead a critical finance operations function at a world-leading business school

London Business School are looking for an exceptional Associate Director, Finance Operations to lead a broad operational finance function that is central to the School’s day-to-day running and long-term strategic success.

This is a senior leadership opportunity for a highly credible finance professional who can combine operational excellence, systems and process improvement, governance and outstanding stakeholder leadership.

You will lead a wide-ranging finance operations function, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, efficient and controlled financial services across the School.

This role has responsibility for the day-to-day operational finance service, including transaction processing, controls, compliance, finance systems, process improvement and operational efficiency. It also plays a key role in enabling transformation across the Finance function, including digitisation, automation and optimisation of end-to-end processes.

You will work closely with senior leaders across the School to ensure finance operations are aligned to organisational needs, while maintaining strong governance, customer service and continuous improvement.

Main Responsibilities

• Lead the Finance Operations function and ensure delivery of high-quality operational finance services.
• Oversee core finance operations including purchase invoicing, expenses, banking, treasury activity, sales invoicing, credit control and related transaction processing.
• Lead finance systems strategy and optimisation, including digital enablement, automation and process improvement.
• Ensure robust governance, risk management, internal controls and regulatory compliance across finance operations.
• Drive operational efficiency and service improvement across end-to-end finance processes.
• Build strong business partnerships with executive committees, stakeholders and cross-functional teams.
• Lead and develop a large operational finance team, creating a high-performing and customer-focused culture.
• Support organisational change and finance transformation programmes.
• Translate sector trends and organisational needs into actionable strategies for finance operations.
• Ensure strong delivery of controls, high-quality services and appropriate use of resources.

Who we are looking for

• Substantial management experience working in Finance Operations, including finance systems.
• Significant experience leading finance systems strategy and optimisation, including driving digital enablement, automation, operational efficiency
• Exceptional business partnering capability, with the ability to influence executive committees, key stakeholders and cross-functional teams.
• Strong knowledge of governance, risk management, internal controls, regulatory compliance
• Proven track record of implementing and embedding robust control environments.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the credibility to engage executives, academics, professional services leaders, external partners
• Strong professional credibility as a senior finance leader, with a reputation for strategic insight and delivery.
• Subject matter expertise across legislation, policy, systems, tools and end-to-end operational finance processes.
• Ability to anticipate organisational needs, interpret sector trends and translate insights into action.
• Demonstrated financial management skills and commercial acumen, including resource optimisation, control oversight and delivery of high-quality services.

Why London Business School

London Business School; a global and vibrant business community based in two of the world’s most dynamic cities, London and Dubai. It’s where extraordinary minds and diverse perspectives connect, to have a profound impact on the way the world does business and the way business impacts the world. We offer best in class hybrid learning to our students and participants, whilst creating a flexible, supportive and dynamic working environment for our people to excel in, whatever their location.

What you can expect from us

• Generous annual leave of 27 days PLUS extra between Christmas and New Year!
• Generous pension package, 14.5% employer contribution (in return for employee enrolment and contribution)
• Free onsite gym and swimming pool
• Amazing range of professional development to support your career path
• Enhanced cycle to work scheme
• Wellbeing offering to support your physical, mental and financial health 

At London Business School, we support Smart Working - a hybrid approach designed to help you achieve a healthy work-life balance while delivering the best outcomes for your role and the needs of our customers. All roles require a minimum of two days on campus each week to foster a vibrant, collaborative community.

For this role specifically, you will be expected to be on campus 2 days per week.

We operate with ‘core hours’ – 10:00-15:00 – to maximise opportunities for connection and collaboration across teams during the working day. Outside of these hours, you may still be required for meetings or collaboration based on your role and customer needs. Additionally, we offer Protected Time - a flexible, one-hour slot, within the working week dedicated to your learning and development, wellbeing, or focused, quiet work

Our commitment to driving inclusion and belonging  

We are a globally reaching institution, committed to creating tangible and sustainable change in driving inclusion & belonging within our School, education and society at large.  We are dedicated to creating an environment where everyone in our community feels they belong and thrive. This is a key school priority, and we want everyone who joins LBS to feel respected, welcomed, and heard.

Candidates needing sponsorship should assess their eligibility for a Certificate of Sponsorship by evaluating their circumstances against the relevant criteria before applying

Please note we start screening CVs and interviewing candidates from the start of a campaign. A successful candidate could progress to offer before the advertised closing date. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible if you are interested in any roles.

London Business School