Manager of Operational Finance

Hello! Thanks for stopping by. Let us tell you about all the great reasons to join us here at Yorkshire Water:

Benefits:

• We offer a competitive salary, depending on experience (£77,000)
• A company car lease/allowance scheme (£2,510 cash allowance)
• Annual incentive related bonus (up to 10% of annual salary)
• Private health care (self only)
• Attractive pension scheme (up to 10% company contribution)
• Life assurance cover of 4 times pensionable salary
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays - plus an extra wellness day!
• A great benefits package - choose from health cash plan scheme, critical illness insurance, dental insurance, life assurance flex and partner cover.
• Retail savings scheme
• Online GP service, cycle to work scheme, gym membership discounts and many more!

Location: West Yorkshire / Hybrid Working (1-2 days in the office a week - Bradford / Leeds)

Work type: Permanent. 37 hours per week, Monday - Friday.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Manager of Operational Finance to join the Finance Team at Yorkshire Water and be a part of helping Yorkshire Water to provide the best service to our customers. Could this be you?

What we do

Everyone has an idea of what a water company does. Here in Yorkshire, we make sure that over 5.4 million people living in the region and the millions of people who visit our region each year, can rely on our services, and have clean and safe drinking water on tap and that their wastewater is taken away. But for us, it's so much more than this. We look after communities, protect the environment, and plan to look after Yorkshire's water, today, tomorrow 24/7, 365 days a year. We provide essential water and wastewater services to every corner of the Yorkshire region, and play a key role in the region's health, wellbeing, and prosperity. New environmental legislation, unprecedented levels of investment and changing expectations from customers means that this is an exciting time to discover opportunities within the water industry. The Finance function are a key part of how we plan to meet the changing expectations of customers and regulators.

We're looking for a strategic finance leader to transform our Operational Finance function. In this high-impact role, you'll shape financial strategy, drive process improvements, and lead a talented team to deliver excellence.

Where you fit in

As our Manager of Operational Finance, you will:

• Lead the Operational Finance team comprising Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable and Operational Finance Systems teams
• Develop and lead the strategy and transformation plan for Operational Finance at Yorkshire Water.
• Communicate a compelling vision for the Operational Finance function across the business.
• Influence senior stakeholders to adopt best practices and optimise finance processes.
• Collaborate with key departments to define effective solutions and drive performance improvements.
• Challenge and support operational managers to achieve outperformance.
• Oversee payment processes to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance.
• Lead process transformation initiatives to reduce costs and maximise returns.
• Ensure accurate and timely statutory reporting.
• Deliver a supplier payment process aligned with Yorkshire Water's sustainable supply chain policy.
• Create and maintain financial policies and procedures to enhance efficiency and ensure compliance.
• Ensure robust risk management and strong control environment
• Manage the employee expenses system (SAP Concur) and ensure compliance with travel and expenses policy
• Develop and execute a debt management strategy to improve recovery and reduce bad debt.
• Align financial goals and objectives with the organisation's strategic direction.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Inspire, lead, and develop a high-performing finance team.
• Secure stakeholders buy-in for process changes and new system implementations.
• Analyse budget and vendor spend data to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Provide timely performance insights and recommendations to support decision-making.
• Ensure adherence to company standards, policies, and regulatory requirements, including ISO accreditation.

What skills & qualifications you will need

• Professionally qualified (e.g. CAPP, APAM, ICM or equivalent).
• Extensive experience leading a Procure to Pay (P2P) and Operational Finance function.
• Proven ability to set strategic direction within P2P and Operational Finance.
• Strong influencing skills, with the ability to engage senior stakeholders in adopting effective finance practices.
• Demonstrated success in driving process improvements.
• Deep understanding of finance and accounting principles.
• Strong leadership skills with experience in developing high-performing teams

Although we operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, it's important to us that we support flexible working patterns and job share options (when we can), to help you make the best of both your work and home life. We know that juggling childcare responsibilities or getting that ideal work/life balance isn't always easy!

Do we sound like your cup of tea?

If you've got experience in Operational Finance and want to help us deliver great service for our customers whilst looking after the environment, then be sure to apply today to find out what a career with Yorkshire Water can offer you. If successful for the role, you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks that will include a Basic Disclosure Check, carried out through a Third-Party Company, prior to commencing employment. Depending on the role, you may also be required to go through the security vetting process for either a Counter Terrorist Check or Security Check clearance. All our roles are subject to a medical questionnaire, and further medicals when required.

We are committed to removing barriers and ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible.

If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that requires changes to the recruitment process, please include this information in your application. We will then discuss any reasonable adjustments required.

Kelda Group reserve the right to close this position before the published closing date, should the need occur. We therefore advise that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible.