Finance Systems Lead (London Area)

This is an exciting time to be joining the team at Zodiac Maritime as they are in the midst of a transformation programme. MS Dynamics 365 (Finance and Operations) and an EPM solution were implemented in 2024, and new operational solutions are due to be implemented in 2025.

Based five days a week at our office in central London, you will work closely with the finance and transformation teams and a broad range of stakeholders across the business with a particular focus given to the optimisation and continuous improvement of the ERP and EPM systems and processes as well as reviewing the interfaces with other internal and third-party systems. This is alongside the maintenance of the finance system technology stack. You will also be responsible for overseeing the Finance impact of the other solutions due to be implemented such as procurement and crewing.

The successful candidate will be able to build credibility across the organisation through a hands-on, collaborative approach and by bringing technical and financial systems expertise, while continuously challenging business processes.

Key responsibilities and primary deliverables:

• Overall responsibility for maintaining configuration in D365 and other finance systems (e.g. consolidation, OCR) and for ensuring that appropriate standards, controls, communications, documentation and safeguards are in place for all financial systems; and ensuring that all team members adhere to requirements
• Manage the Microsoft quarterly upgrade process and oversee regression testing over all business processes (including system integrations)
• Manage the relationship between third party service providers for IT Support
• Monitor and co-ordinate the maintenance and integrity of the interfaces between the finance systems and other internal and third-party systems
• Designing and deliver training to develop team members up to superuser status on D365 system, processes and controls, as well as proficiency in other finance systems such as the EPM solution
• Support and coordinate the prioritisation of enhancement requests from users
• Monitor finance system error logs, identifying issues and working with other finance and IT colleagues to remedy the transactions and underlying issues
• Act as key point of contact for IT to ensure clear communication and minimise disruption to finance because of IT maintenance activities.
• Assist in the month-end close and consolidation processes, and the budgeting and forecasting processes from a system perspective
• Liaising with auditors for IT related queries as required
• Work with the Finance leadership team to ensure the Finance system landscape is meeting business requirements
• Liaising with business areas to ensure that the integrity of data inputs to Finance is maintained in a rapidly evolving business system environment – and to ensure that any additional data required for new management reporting is captured by the relevant business systems
• Ensuring operational risks are proactively identified, reported & corrected in an accurate and timely manner
• Working alongside the Finance leadership team, to design and implement improved ways of working to maximise system benefits, including new management reporting that meets the requirements of the business, either directly in D365 or the EPM solution
• Driving continuous improvement initiatives both within Finance and across the Zodiac business, alongside other business system leads, prioritising initiatives alongside Finance Leadership and the Chief Technology Officer
• Initiate and oversee processes to manage and monitor stakeholder relationships including lessons learned and the feedback loop between Finance and all departments

Skills profile

Relevant experience & education

• Qualified Accountant with a strong finance background is a requirement for this role
• Experience of the Microsoft Dynamics 365 / AX suite or other ERP software is a requirement for this role
• You will have experience of financial reporting and/or the use of Business Intelligence tools such as Power BI
• A clear business track record and extensive practical experience in supporting the full lifecycle of finance and accounting system upgrade programmes
• Previous experience of developing training content and working with team leads to assess user change impact
• Proficient in problem solving through root cause analysis and using project management concepts and best practices
• Experience of working with a senior management team to develop business focused system re-engineering strategies that will effectively support their business needs
• Results orientated; sets high standards of performance for themselves
• A collaborative approach and willingness to engage in an environment of active idea sharing
• Capable of simplifying complex areas in a clear and succinct manner. Excellent all round communication skills
• Pragmatic and highly skilled approach to problem solving
• Strategic thinking mindset – with a mind to challenge current ways of working
• High level of analytical skills and strategic thinking ability to support decisions with sound reasoning and judgement. Willingness and able to “roll-up sleeves” and lead from the front