About the Client:

We are one of India's leading diversified business groups with a strong presence across multiple industries and a large-scale national footprint. As part of our finance transformation journey, we are building a world-class Shared Services Organization (SSO) to drive operational excellence, standardization, automation, governance, and scalability across the enterprise.

We are seeking an accomplished finance transformation leader to establish and lead the Shared Services function, creating a future-ready operating model that delivers best-in-class service, strong controls, and measurable business value.

Role Overview:

The Head - Shared Services will be responsible for designing, transitioning, stabilizing, and optimizing an integrated Finance Shared Services Organization covering Procure-to-Pay (P2P), Order-to-Cash (O2C), and Record-to-Report (R2R) processes across multiple business entities and locations.

This role requires a hands-on transformation leader with experience in building or significantly transforming large-scale shared service environments, driving automation, enhancing governance, and delivering operational efficiencies.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Shared Services Strategy & Setup:

- Design and implement the target Shared Services operating model (Centralized, Hybrid, or Hub-and-Spoke)

- Lead end-to-end transition of finance processes from business units into the SSC framework

- Define governance structures, service delivery models, SLAs, OLAs, and performance metrics

- Establish the organizational structure, operating framework, and talent strategy for the SSC

- Partner with external consultants and internal stakeholders to drive successful implementation

2. Process Excellence & Standardization:

- Standardize finance processes across multiple business entities

- Develop and implement SOPs, policies, controls, and governance frameworks

- Eliminate process inefficiencies and non-value-added activities

- Drive Lean, Six Sigma, and continuous improvement initiatives

- Benchmark operations against leading global shared service organizations

3. Digital Transformation & Automation:

- Lead ERP harmonization and process optimization initiatives

- Drive adoption of automation technologies including RPA, OCR, workflow tools, AI-enabled reconciliation, and analytics platforms

- Develop digital dashboards and real-time MIS capabilities

- Ensure seamless integration across finance and business systems

- Build a scalable, technology-enabled operating environment

4. Service Delivery Management:

- Own end-to-end delivery of finance operations across P2P, O2C, and R2R

- Ensure achievement of service levels, turnaround times, and quality standards

- Establish effective escalation and issue-resolution mechanisms

- Drive stakeholder engagement and service excellence across business units

- Act as the single point of accountability for shared services performance

5. Governance, Controls & Compliance:

- Strengthen internal control frameworks and audit readiness

- Ensure compliance with statutory, tax, regulatory, and financial reporting requirements

- Drive a culture of accuracy, accountability, and zero-defect reporting

- Collaborate with Internal Audit, Statutory Auditors, and Compliance teams

- Monitor and mitigate operational and control risks

6. Financial Efficiency & Value Creation:

- Deliver sustainable cost savings through consolidation, standardization, and automation

- Improve working capital performance through enhanced O2C and P2P effectiveness

- Drive productivity improvements and optimize operating costs

- Develop performance dashboards and value realization frameworks

- Establish metrics to track SSC benefits and transformation outcomes

7. Leadership & Change Management:

- Build and lead a high-performing Shared Services organization

- Develop future leaders and strengthen succession pipelines

- Drive enterprise-wide change management and stakeholder alignment

- Manage resistance across business units and ensure smooth transitions

- Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and accountability

Ideal Candidate Profile:

- CA and/or MBA (Finance) from a premier institution

- 15 to 25 years of experience in Finance Operations, Shared Services, Global Business Services (GBS), Finance Transformation, or Large-Scale Finance Operations

- Demonstrated experience in setting up, scaling, or transforming Shared Services organizations

- Exposure to Manufacturing Industry is a must

- Strong expertise across P2P, O2C, and R2R processes

- Exposure to large, multi-business, multi-location organizations

- Experience with SAP and finance automation technologies

- Strong understanding of process excellence, governance, and operational controls

- Proven leadership experience managing large teams and enterprise-wide transformation programs

- Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence senior leadership and business teams

Success Measures:

- The successful candidate will be expected to:

- Establish and operationalize the Shared Services model within agreed timelines

- Successfully migrate finance processes across business entities

- Deliver measurable cost optimization and productivity gains

- Improve working capital metrics and process efficiency

- Drive large-scale automation and digital adoption

- Achieve high stakeholder satisfaction and service quality

- Build a scalable organization with strong governance and controls