The Head of Global R2R Operations is responsible for the overall R2R ownership and service delivery across the SSC, combining key aspects of SSC operational leadership with global process ownership. This role sets the strategic direction and vision for end-to-end R2R processes while managing and collaborating with cross-functional teams. This role will lead at the senior leadership level, influencing upstream processes and driving a culture of continuous improvement and sharing of leading practices.

About Group Finance

In joining RWS’s Finance team you will be a critical part of supporting a listed world-leading provider of technology-enabled language, content, and intellectual property services. RWS has growing revenues of over £750m through a combination of value accretive acquisitions and organic growth. Group finance, led by our Group CFO; Candy Davies, includes diverse teams across the globe operating in functions including business partnering, operational finance, specialist, and group functions. We cover a footprint of over 100 legal entities in 43 different countries worldwide.

 

It’s a very exciting time to join RWS Finance for an individual who enjoys change and making an impact! As part of the overall RWS business strategy we are making a significant investment in upgrading our financial systems and processes to deliver enhanced reporting and control, more efficient processing enabling great value through enhanced business partnering and decision support.

Key Responsibilities

R2R Ownership & Service Delivery:

• Oversee and maintain full ownership and accountability of the end-to-end R2R processes, ensuring smooth service delivery across the SSC.
• Manage service level agreements (SLAs), performance metrics, and reporting for R2R operations.
• Ensure robust internal controls and compliance within the R2R function.
• Develop, obtain corporate approval and maintain all related policies, process documentation and training materials
• Work closely with the Master Data Management teams to ensure key data elements are structured, standardised and consistent across the different systems to ensure operational efficiency
• Manage R2R systems and process interfaces with external and/or internal partners
  
  

Strategic Direction & Process Vision

• Define, communicate, and embed a clear R2R process vision and roadmap.
• Establish strategic initiatives to standardise and continuously improve R2R processes.
• Set the direction for transformation projects, including leading R2R aspects for the unified ERP programme and finance roadmap initiatives.
  
  

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Engage with senior leadership and stakeholders across the business to drive process improvements.
• Act as a key influencer to effect change in upstream processes and support integrated business strategies.
• Collaborate closely with Treasury, IT, Finance, and other shared services teams to align on best practices and process standards.
  
  

People Management

• Lead the R2R delivery and process teams and oversee direct reports, ensuring clear performance goals and accountability.
• Foster a high-performance culture that supports career development, mentorship, and continuous learning.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration and ensure alignment between various R2R stakeholders.
  
  

Sharing Leading Practices

• Champion leading practices within the R2R function, sharing innovative approaches across the organisation.
• Represent R2R interests at global forums and leadership meetings, ensuring that insights and best practices are disseminated across teams.
  
  

Skills & Experience

• Extensive (10+ years) leadership experience in Record-to-Report (R2R) processes and shared services, ideally within a high volume global or multi-regional SSC environment
• Expert knowledge and functional experience in R2R processes such as payments, purchasing, account reconciliations, invoice processing, T&E claims, period end activities, and more
• Proven track record in strategic planning and execution, including setting and communicating process visions and roadmaps.
• Hands-on experience managing transformation projects, such as unified ERP implementations and finance roadmap initiatives.
• Demonstrated success in managing cross-functional teams and influencing senior leadership to drive change in upstream processes.
• Experience in service delivery management, including meeting SLAs, implementing performance metrics, and maintaining robust internal controls.
• Ability to set a clear strategic direction for R2R, drive process innovation, and share leading practices across the organization.
• Exceptional interpersonal and stakeholder management skills to effectively engage with IT, finance, and other key business areas.
• Deep understanding of R2R operations, with a strong focus on continuous improvement, standardisation, and operational efficiency.
• Expertise in leading transformational change, managing risk, and ensuring seamless integration of new processes within existing operations.
• Solid understanding of financial processes, compliance, and risk management to oversee service delivery and financial performance.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to articulate complex processes and influence decisions at the senior leadership level.
• Proven ability to manage, mentor, and develop high-performing teams while fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Ability to travel when necessary
  

At RWS, we’re here for one purpose: unlocking global understanding.

As a unique, world-leading provider of technology-enabled language, content, and intellectual property services, we remove the barriers to communication to make global connection possible. Our unrivalled experience and deep understanding of language have been developed over more than 60 years. As we look to shape the future, our ambition is to create a world where understanding is universal for everyone.

We work with over 80% of the world’s top 100 brands, more than three-quarters of Fortune’s 20 ‘Most Admired Companies’ and almost all the top pharmaceutical companies, investment banks, law firms and patent filers. Our client base spans Europe, Asia Pacific and North and South America. Our 65+ global locations across five continents service clients in the automotive, chemical, financial, legal, medical, pharmaceutical, technology and telecommunications sectors.  

Over the past 20 years we’ve been evolving our own AI solutions as well as helping clients to explore, build and use multilingual AI applications. With 45+ AI-related patents and more than 100 peer-reviewed papers, we have the experience and expertise to support clients on their AI journey.

If you like the idea of working with smart people who are passionate about breaking down language barriers and giving back to their communities, then you’ll love life at RWS. Our work fundamentally recognizes the value of every language and culture. So, we celebrate difference, we are inclusive and believe that diversity makes us strong.

We want every employee to grow as an individual and excel in their career. In return, we expect all our people to live by the values that unite us: to partner with colleagues and clients, to adopt a pioneering spirit, to be positive in progressing the work we do, and always to deliver what we promise.

RWS Values

Get the 3Ps right – Partner, Pioneer, Progress – and we´ll Deliver together as One RWS.

For further information, please visit: RWS  

RWS embraces DEI and promotes equal opportunity, we are an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind. RWS is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at RWS are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, religion, nationality, ethnicity, sex, age, disability, or sexual orientation. RWS will not tolerate discrimination based on any of these characteristics

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