This is a broad role spanning Group Finance’s Portfolio of projects and will be supported by a Senior Project Manager. It’s scope includes, but is not limited to:
- Corporate restructuring or Legal Entity Rationalisation
- Consolidation, Reporting & Planning tool implementation (EPM)
- Finance ERP system
- Other smaller projects across Finance
The Program Director is a senior, hands-on leadership role responsible for launching and managing a multi-faceted programme. This includes driving transformation initiatives, setting up technology and processes for scalability. Success in this role requires strategic thinking and deep delivery expertise across finance.
This position will work closely with senior leaders, such as the CFO, other Executive Directors, the Finance Leadership Team, the Director of Transformation, Group Technology, Legal and HR to ensure programmes are delivered within scope, on time, and on budget.
About our Business Transformation Office
The Business Transformation Office (BTO) within RWS serves as a strategic hub responsible for driving and overseeing organizational and technology change initiatives aimed at enhancing corporate performance, efficiency and competitiveness. It plays a pivotal role in facilitating and orchestrating transformational efforts across various business functions and units, globally.
At its core, RWS’s BTO functions as a catalyst for change, working closely with the Executive Leadership Team, departmental heads, and cross-functional teams to identify strategic priorities, define transformation objectives, and develop comprehensive roadmaps for execution. The Portfolio is business driven and often technology enabled. The BTO also acts as the reporting body from all the programmes and projects to the Executive Leadership and ensures there is an integrated plan across the portfolio. By aligning transformation initiatives with overarching business goals and objectives, the BTO division ensures that efforts are purposeful, coordinated and results-driven.
Key Responsibilities
Program Launch & Leadership:
- Lead the in-flight projects and the launch of new complex projects across the Finance Portfolio
- Ensure people, process, technology and data are aligned
- Establish and track OKRs to monitor outcome progress and ensure value realisation
- Develop and manage a detailed programme plan, including critical path activities, timelines, milestones
- Reporting to Programme Steerco and the Finance Leadership Team
- Cost benefit optimisation and realisation leading to the best ROI for RWS
Risk Management & Stakeholder Engagement:
- Identify potential risks and develop proactive mitigation strategies to ensure smooth program execution
- Collaborate closely with senior leadership to align priorities and manage complex stakeholder relationships
- Be a trusted partner to cross-functional teams, balancing multiple priorities and driving alignment
Global & Functional Co-ordination
- Lead cross-functional efforts across European and US time zones to ensure seamless execution
- Partner with internal teams, external 3rd Parties and stakeholders to orchestrate program success
Skills & Experience
- This role requires a leader who is likely to be qualified accountant and has spent time as a management consultant, consulting primarily in the Finance function
- Proven experience as a Programme Lead / Director / Senior Manager in the- from project ideation to completion
- Expertise in a range of different Finance function programmes and projects
- A solid understanding of Finance systems and can operate in a complex technology landscape
- Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple priorities, and adapt to changing environments and operational needs
- Self-starter with high level of motivation and entrepreneurial thinking
- Strong understanding of project management methodologies, tools, and techniques
