Finance Tools Director

Job Description

As our Director – Finance Tools, Process & Systems, you will join the Corporate FP&A team as a strategic leader driving the transformation of IFS's Finance tools, processes, data architecture and AI capability. This is a rare, high-impact role at the intersection of Finance, Technology, Data and AI created to act as the Finance technical expert on the enterprise-wide rollout of a next-generation, AI-enabled EPM platform, provide senior Finance input to the redesign of the Group's ERP and Finance data structures, champion the embedding of AI across planning and analysis, and over time assume ownership of the global FP&A processes. You will work as an individual contributor with a clear mandate to assemble teams to deliver core projects and deliverables, and will operate as the bridge between Finance, Technology, Data and executive stakeholders, translating complex business requirements into scalable, system-enabled and AI-augmented operating models.

Role Boundaries & Interfaces

This role has been carefully scoped to complement existing responsibilities within Corporate FP&A, Accounting and IT. It is not a reporting role, an AI Business Unit role, or an EPM platform ownership role it is the Finance technical expert and governance leader that connects these disciplines.

Key Responsibilities – EPM Programme Leadership

• Act as Finance technical expert and delivery partner for the enterprise EPM platform, working alongside IT (as platform owner) to shape how the platform is designed, configured and deployed.
• Lead vendor evaluation, selection, contracting and implementation partner management, including RFI, PoC, scoring, business case and Steering Committee governance.
• Own the Finance requirements and future-state EPM solution design covering SaaS revenue (ARR/ACV/TCV), workforce and project cost planning, allocations, product/industry visibility, consolidation and AI-enabled scenario modelling.
• Define the target planning operating model, integration architecture (ERP, GL, HCM, CRM, BI) and data model to ensure a single, governed version of the truth.
• Drive user adoption, change management, training and continuous optimisation post go-live.
• Establish and enforce Finance-side EPM governance, controls and release management standards in partnership with IT.

Key Responsibilities – AI Enablement & Finance Innovation

• Act as the AI champion within Corporate FP&A, defining and executing the AI roadmap for planning, forecasting, reporting and process automation.
• Embed AI-enabled forecasting, anomaly detection, driver-based scenario modelling and natural language query capabilities into the EPM and reporting stack.
• Partner with the CIO, Data & AI teams and Finance leadership to identify, prioritise and deliver high-value AI use cases in Finance without duplicating AI Business Unit product work.
• Establish AI governance, model risk management, data quality and ethical use standards for Finance-owned AI applications.
• Evaluate emerging AI and GenAI capabilities copilots, agentic AI, LLM-based analytics and intelligent automation and lead pilots to accelerate adoption where value is proven.
• Build AI literacy across the FP&A team through training, playbooks and hands-on enablement, creating an AI-fluent Finance organisation.

Key Responsibilities – ERP & Finance Data Structure Redesign

• Act as a senior Finance leader within the Group's ERP and Finance data architecture redesign programme, partnering with Group Reporting, Accounting, Technology and BI to redesign end-to-end data structures from GL through management, statutory and investor reporting.
• Interface with Accounting on the governance of the Chart of Accounts, cost centre hierarchies, business unit, product, function, project and legal entity dimensions to enable clean GAAP-first reporting that reconciles to management views.
• Partner with ERP and Data/BI platform owners to define a coherent data lineage from voucher row through GL cube, consolidation and reporting layer that is AI-ready and scalable.
• Champion transaction-level data transparency and reduce reliance on downstream reporting workarounds.
• Support governance for master data ownership, chart-of-accounts change control and attribute mapping across systems.

Key Responsibilities – Budget & Forecast Process

• Over time, assume end-to-end ownership of the global Budget and Forecast operating model process & governance.
• Drive continuous improvement in forecast accuracy, planning efficiency and stakeholder accountability, leveraging the new EPM platform, AI-enabled forecasting and redesigned data architecture.
• Lead long-range planning, scenario modelling and AI-driven, driver-based planning enhancements as the platform matures.

Key Responsibilities – Leadership, Delivery & Team Build-Out

• Provide senior delivery leadership across concurrent transformation workstreams balancing strategic design authority with hands-on programme execution.
• Represent Finance on the EPM Steering Committee and Finance data architecture steering forum.
• Lead the interface with external consulting and implementation partners across the EPM and Finance data programmes, ensuring scope discipline, quality delivery and knowledge transfer.
• Influence senior stakeholders including the CFO, VP Corporate FP&A, VP Group Reporting, Head of Accounting, CIO and Business Unit CFOs to secure alignment and pace.

Requirements

• Extensive experience leading enterprise Finance transformation programmes within the software industry SaaS or subscription-based businesses strongly preferred.
• Business-wide transformation experience within a global software business is essential.
• Proven track record leading at least one end-to-end EPM platform selection and implementation (e.g., OneStream, Pigment, Anaplan, Oracle EPM, Workday Adaptive, SAP BPC) at scale.
• Demonstrated experience embedding AI and GenAI capabilities into Finance processes, EPM platforms or reporting stacks.
• Strong AI fluency familiarity with modern AI/GenAI tooling (copilots, LLMs, agentic AI, ML-based forecasting), data science fundamentals and applied use cases in Finance.
• Track record of driving AI adoption at scale within a Finance function.
• Direct experience redesigning ERP-linked data structures, Charts of Accounts, cost centre hierarchies and management reporting architectures within complex global environments.
• Consulting background Big 4 (Deloitte, EY, PwC, KPMG), Accenture, IBM or equivalent with a Finance Transformation, EPM or Enterprise Performance practice pedigree preferred.
• Strong balance of technical depth (data models, integration architecture, systems design, EPM configuration, AI/ML solution design) and delivery leadership (programme management, governance, stakeholder influence, change management).
• Proven experience leading external consulting and implementation partners on major transformation programmes.
• Deep understanding of SaaS metrics ARR, ACV, TCV, NRR, GRR and how they flow through planning, GL and reporting layers.
• Experience operating in matrixed global organisations, engaging effectively with CFO-level and executive stakeholders.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to translate complex technical and AI concepts into clear business outcomes.

Qualifications

• Degree-level qualification in Finance, Accounting, Business, Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science or a related discipline.
• Professional qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA), MBA, EPM implementation credentials or AI/ML certifications viewed favourably.
• Fluent business English required.

Additional Information

• A persistent nature and a willingness to understand and overcome operational challenges/obstacles.
• Ability to understand processes and challenges and effectively communicate internally.
• Ability to understand internal processes and navigate effectively.
• Previous experience in a multinational technology company would be an advantage