Lead Specialist, Financial Operations

Job Title: Lead Specialist Financial Operations

Description: In this role You will play a key role in enabling delivery excellence across our Service Desk Accounts Payable and Continuous Improvement functions. This role aligns with industry titles such as Senior Source to Pay Specialist Senior STP Operations Specialist or Senior STP operations Analyst

The Role

This is a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience at the heart of a global Source to Pay (STP) operation. The STP Operations Support Specialist plays a key role in enabling delivery excellence across our Service Desk Accounts Payable and Continuous Improvement functions.

The role provides exposure to core finance workflows supplier engagement BPO operations data analysis issue resolution and process controls making it an ideal launchpad for those eager to learn how operational finance truly works behind the scenes. This position is ideal for someone who wants to develop their process systems and stakeholder management skills in a fast-paced globally distributed team.

Key Outcomes of the Role

• Seamless coordination across suppliers stakeholders and offshore delivery teams
• Effective independent resolution of supplier and partner issues
• Reduced escalations and improved responsiveness across STP workflows
• Reliable delivery of operational data reporting and audit readiness
• Clear communication and alignment across internal and external partners

What you will Own:

Supplier & Partner Engagement

• Resolve supplier queries end to end ensuring timely closure and accurate follow-up
• Collaborate with BPO partners providing guidance and driving alignment across time zones
• Clarify documentation requirements secure missing inputs and ensure consistent execution

Business Stakeholder Coordination

• Liaise with internal teams to gather approvals clarify open items and ensure process flow
• Represent the STP team with professionalism and clarity in cross-functional discussions

Operational Data & Reporting

• Pull reports perform reconciliations and support data-driven decision making
• Prepare summaries escalation logs and data packs for leadership and governance use

Issue Resolution & Escalation Handling

• Serve as a first-line issue resolver: investigate root causes own the problem and ensure follow-up
• Support CI initiatives by capturing trends pain points and system friction

Process & Controls Support

• Assist with audit evidence document management and compliance workflows
• Maintain SOPs and process documentation ensuring accuracy and accessibility

Team Flow & Operational Discipline

• Track open tasks follow up reliably and create clarity across delivery teams
• Uphold high standards of professionalism accuracy and structured communication

About You:

Core Profile

• Proactive and curious always looking to understand and improve
• Independent and accountable: drives actions to closure
• Detail-oriented and structured in approach
• Supportive and calm under pressure even in fast-moving situations
• Strong follow-through and commitment to task completion

Communication Requirements

• Able to communicate clearly and credibly with a wide range of stakeholders:
  • External suppliers
  • Offshore delivery teams
  • Internal business partners
  • Senior leaders across Pearson.
• Consistently brings alignment clarity and confidence to conversations

Technical & Functional Skills

• Prior experience in Source to Pay AP or a similar operational finance function (preferred)
• Proficient in Excel; capable of working with operational data and reports
• Familiarity with ERP systems (Oracle preferred)
• Experience working with BPO/offshore partners (advantageous)
• Exposure to compliance and audit practices (a plus)
• AI awareness or training (e.g. Mindstone)

Success Measures (KPIs)

• Reduced issue escalations across suppliers and delivery partners
• Timely accurate reporting and audit support
• Positive feedback from stakeholders on communication and follow-through
• Evidence of ownership structure and reliable delivery
• Clear contribution to improved flow reduced friction and smoother team operations

Team & Cultural Fit

• Brings clarity in complexity
• Reliable approachable and professional
• Eager to learn and grow within STP
• Acts as a steadying presence during change or high volumes
• Helps raise the bar on team collaboration organisation and operational discipline.

Ready to make an impact