Head of Financial Performance

Head of Financial Performance

Job Overview

As Head of Financial Performance, you will actively support the Regional Finance Director (RFD) and act as a strategic financial business partner to the operative leadership across the Northern Europe region within Apleona. You will drive business performance through meaningful analysis, proactive risk identification and the initiation of targeted improvement measures.

You will take ownership of performance management across the region, ensuring that country-level results are not only reported but actively challenged, understood and steered. The individual in this role will be a commercially and financially astute finance professional who partners closely with operational colleagues to translate financial insights into concrete actions that improve margins, mitigate risks and accelerate growth.

You will champion the continuous improvement of finance processes through BI tools and automation, and ensure the highest standards in stakeholder communication – from board and shareholder materials to day-to-day business reviews.

Job Dimensions

• Regional turnover of €600 million.
• Business partnering and performance steering across UK, Ireland and Nordics
• Management of project accountant

Principal Accountabilities

• Own the first line of performance challenge: proactively analyse reporting and forecasting data to surface key risks, opportunities and actionable recommendations before RFD review.
• Manage the regional shareholder and board reporting cycle with a focus on insight-rich, decision-ready materials, ensuring all stakeholders receive clear, timely and high-quality outputs in line with agreed timescales and Head Office deadlines.
• Drive continuous improvement of finance processes across the Region by leveraging Power BI dashboards, automation and AI to reduce manual effort while increasing analytical depth and transparency.
• Champion the adoption of BI, AI and automation tools in line with Apleona Group ambitions, identifying and implementing efficiency gains that free up capacity for value-adding analysis and business partnering.

Roles & Responsibilities

The roles and responsibilities for the Head of Financial Performance will be varied and will include, but not be limited to:

1. Act as the key financial business partner to the RFD, driving financial control, treasury oversight, management reporting, budgeting and forecasting across the Northern Europe Region with a focus on performance impact and actionable insight.
2. Lead the monthly performance review cycle: analyse regional results and forecasts, identify deviations and quality-of-earnings issues, and initiate corrective measures in close collaboration with country finance teams.
3. Ensuring delivery of project work within deadlines
4. Drive the detailed monthly business review with Commercial and Operational leads, acting as a sparring partner who challenges performance, identifies margin improvement levers and ensures follow-through on agreed actions.
5. Proactively identify and deliver process and system improvements, leveraging BI and automation to create a scalable, efficient finance function. Translate data-driven insights into concrete improvement and risk mitigation measures across both Financial and Commercial processes.
6. Build and maintain strong, trust-based partnerships with Commercial and Operations teams, acting as a proactive finance business partner who drives margin improvement, cost control and operational excellence.
7. Lead strategic financial projects and drive continuous process improvement initiatives, ensuring measurable impact on business performance.
8. Financial due diligence support as required for any acquisitions.
9. Attend departmental meetings as required.
10. Assist senior management as required.
11. Any other reasonable duties as requested by your line manager.

Person Specification:

Essential

• Professional Accounting Qualification
• Strong excel and presentation skills
• Power BI

• Qualified accountant with senior FC experience and a strong track record in business partnering
• Multi-country and SSC experience
• Strong leadership, stakeholder management and excellent communication skills