Finance Operations Service Owner

Beazley · Birmingham, London

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Job Title: Finance Operations Service Owner 

Reports To: Head of Finance Operations Service  

Job Summary:  

Beazley  

Beazley is a specialist insurer with three decades of experience in providing clients with the highest standards of underwriting and claims service worldwide. All our insurance businesses are rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best. Beazley is a proud participant in the Lloyd's market, the largest and oldest insurance market in the world. Through the Lloyd's broker network and the market's trading licenses, we are able to access a wide range of insurance and reinsurance businesses from around the world.  

The Finance Operations Specialist is accountable for the end-to-end design, effectiveness and continuous improvement of Finance Operations processes within an outsourced operating model. The role acts as the key interface between Beazley and its strategic partner, combining deep process ownership with subject matter expertise to ensure services are delivered to a high standard, aligned to business needs and compliant with regulatory and market requirements. The role ensures that processes are standardised, efficient, well-controlled and fully integrated across upstream and downstream activities, while also providing expert oversight, escalation support and stakeholder engagement.  

Job Description:  

Key responsibilities include:  

• We are seeking an individual with experience in Claims and Specialised Payment Processing.

• Own the end-to-end design and performance of assigned accounting operations processes, such as accounts payable, travel and expenses, group payments and reconciliations across the retained organisation and outsourced strategic partner.  

• Act as the primary point of accountability for service delivery quality, ensuring outputs meet agreed standards, SLAs and business expectations.  

• Support the partner to define, maintain and continuously improve standard operating procedures, process maps and documentation.  

• Drive process standardisation, simplification and optimisation across geographies, platforms and business areas.  

• Act as design authority for process changes, ensuring alignment with business requirements, technology, data and automation strategies.  

• Collaborate with the strategic partner to identify and deliver continuous improvement, efficiency and automation opportunities, considering end-to-end impacts.  

• Provide subject matter expertise across Finance Operations processes, including supporting complex queries, exceptions and non-standard scenarios.  

• Act as an escalation point for high-risk, complex or sensitive issues, ensuring timely resolution and appropriate stakeholder engagement.  

• Partner with internal stakeholders (e.g. Underwriting, Operations, Claims, Financial Performance, Treasury and Reporting teams) to resolve process inefficiencies and root causes.  

• Interpret and ensure application of regulatory requirements, market practices and internal policies within operational processes.  

• Maintain relevant Finance Operations policies, ensuring they are regularly reviewed, aligned to regulatory and business requirements, and kept up to date to reflect changes in processes, systems and operating model.   

• Horizon scan for external and internal changes that may impact Finance Operations processes, ensuring timely assessment and implementation.  

• Support and influence the strategic partner to build capability, including training, knowledge transfer and ongoing upskilling.  

• Monitor service performance, identify trends and proactively address risks, issues and performance gaps.  

• Own and manage process-related risks, controls and issues, ensuring compliance with audit and regulatory requirements.  

• Support SLA definition, service reviews and governance forums with the strategic partner.  

• Provide input into and support change initiatives, including transitions, system implementations and transformation programmes.  

• Represent Finance Operations in internal projects, providing both process and subject matter expertise.  

General:  

It is important that within all your interactions both internally and externally you adhere Beazley’s core values – Being Bold, Striving for Better, and Doing the Right Thing as they contribute to an internal environment of teamwork and promote a positive brand image and experience to our external customers. We also expect Beazley employees to:  

• Comply with Beazley procedures, policies and regulations including the code of conduct  

• Undertake training on Beazley policies and procedures as delivered by your line manager, the Culture & People or assurance teams (compliance, risk, internal audit) either directly, via e-learning or the learning management system  

• Display business ethics that uphold the interests of all our customers  

• Ensure all interactions with customers are focused on delivering a fair outcome, including having the right products for their needs  

• Comply with any specific responsibilities necessary for your role as outlined by your line manager, the Culture & People or assurance teams (compliance, risk, internal audit) and ensure you keep up to date with developments in these areas  

• Carry out additional responsibilities as individually notified, either through your objectives or through the learning management system  

Personal Specification:  

Education and Qualifications  

Graduate calibre, preferred qualifications in Finance, Business Operations or a related discipline.  

Essential Criteria 

• Experience in Claims and Specialised Payment Processing 
• Strong experience across Finance Operations processes, specifically accounts payable, travel and expenses, group payments and reconciliations within a financial services or insurance environment.  

• Strong knowledge of financial controls, audit requirements and regulatory expectations.  

• Ability to combine process ownership with subject matter expertise to drive both control and service quality outcomes.  

• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills across global, matrixed organisations.  

Key Skills/Capabilities:  

• Deep understanding of end-to-end process design, optimisation and continuous improvement methodologies (e.g. Lean, Six Sigma desirable).  

• Experience operating within or managing outsourced or offshored service delivery models.  

• Ability to interpret complex scenarios and apply sound judgement in ambiguous environments.  

• Understanding of market practices and the ability to translate business and regulatory requirements into operational processes.  

• Understanding of finance systems, workflows and automation tools and their application to Finance Operations.  

• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making capability.  

• Ability to identify risks, challenge existing practices and drive continuous improvement.  

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to act as a trusted advisor to both internal stakeholders and external partners.  

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