Description
We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic Head of Finance Applications to lead our Finance Applications team. This role will be pivotal in driving the vision, strategy, and execution of our finance-related software products, with a strong emphasis on SAP ECC 6. The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of financial processes, exceptional leadership skills, and a proven track record in product management.
Key Responsibilities :
- Product Strategy and Vision : Develop and communicate a clear product vision and strategy for finance applications, ensuring alignment with business goals and market needs.
- Stakeholder Management : Collaborate with key stakeholders, including finance, IT, and executive teams, to gather requirements, prioritize features, and ensure successful product delivery.
- Product Roadmap : Create and maintain a detailed product roadmap, outlining key milestones, deliverables, and timelines.
- SAP ECC 6 Expertise : Leverage deep knowledge of SAP ECC 6 to guide product development, integration, and optimization efforts.
- Team Leadership : Lead and mentor a cross-functional delivery team, split between multi-location and 3rd party / FTE resources, fostering a collaborative and high-performance culture.
- Market Analysis : Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify trends, opportunities, and potential risks.
- User Experience : Ensure the finance applications deliver an exceptional user experience, addressing user needs and pain points effectively.
- Agile Methodology : Implement and advocate for agile methodologies, ensuring iterative development and continuous improvement.
- Performance Metrics : Define and track key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure product success and drive data-informed decision-making.
- Transformation Initiatives : Lead and manage transformation initiatives to modernise and enhance finance applications, ensuring they meet evolving business needs.
- Consulting Background : Utilise consulting experience to provide expert guidance on best practices, process improvements, and strategic decision-making.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration : Work closely with other product teams, IT, and business units to ensure seamless integration and alignment of finance applications with overall business objectives.
- Vendor Management : Manage relationships with third-party vendors, ensuring they meet performance standards and deliver value to the organization.
- Upgrade Management : Oversee the management of system upgrades, ensuring minimal disruption to business operations and optimal performance.
- Interface Management : Responsible for managing all interfaces into and out of the financial landscape, ensuring seamless data flow and integration.
Qualifications :
Education : Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business Administration, Computer Science, or a related field. MBA or equivalent advanced degree preferred.Experience : Minimum of 10 years of experience in product management, with at least 5 years in a leadership role. Extensive experience with SAP ECC 6 is required.Skills : Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.Leadership : Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex projects.Technical Proficiency : In-depth understanding of finance processes and systems, with hands-on experience in SAP ECC 6.Agile Practices : Experience with agile development methodologies and tools.Transformation Experience : Demonstrated experience in leading transformation projects within finance applications.Consulting Background : Previous experience in a consulting role is highly desirable.HANA S4 Experience : Experience with SAP HANA S4 is considered a significant advantage.NetSuite Experience : Experience with NetSuite is beneficial.Vendor Management : Proven experience in managing third-party vendors is imperative.Upgrade Management : Experience in managing system upgrades and ensuring business continuity.Interface Management : Experience in managing interfaces and integrations within a financial systems landscape.