Vice President of Back Office

Job Summary:

The Director/VP of Back Office is a strategic leadership role responsible for overseeing the efficient and effective delivery of back-office functions and shared services across the organization. This role ensures that critical support services such as Internal Audit, HR, IT, Procurement, Facilities, and General Administrative functions are aligned with the companies goals, operational needs, and compliance requirements. The Director/VP will drive process optimization, cost efficiency, and service excellence while fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership:

• Develop and execute the vision, strategy, and roadmap for back-office and shared services to support organizational growth and operational efficiency.
• Align shared services with the company's overall business objectives and ensure seamless integration with other departments.
• Identify opportunities to centralize, standardize, and automate processes to improve scalability and reduce costs.

Operational Management:

• Oversee the delivery of high-quality shared services, including internal audit, HR (recruitment, onboarding, benefits), IT support, procurement, facilities management, and administrative services.
• Ensure service level agreements (SLAs) are met or exceeded, and continuously monitor performance metrics to drive improvement.
• Manage vendor relationships and third-party service providers to ensure cost-effective and reliable service delivery.

Process Optimization:

• Lead process improvement initiatives to streamline workflows, eliminate redundancies, and enhance productivity.
• Implement best practices and leverage technology (e.g., ERP systems, automation tools) to improve efficiency and accuracy.
• Foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement within the shared services team.

Budget Management & Reporting:

• Develop and manage the budget for shared services, ensuring cost-effectiveness and ROI.
• Monitor and control expenses, identifying opportunities for cost savings without compromising service quality.
• Provide regular reporting and analysis to senior leadership.

Team Leadership:

• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing shared services team, fostering a collaborative and results-driven culture.
• Set clear goals and performance expectations, and provide regular feedback and development opportunities.
• Promote cross-functional collaboration and ensure effective communication across departments.

Compliance & Risk Management:

• Ensure all back-office and shared services operations comply with regulatory requirements, company policies, and industry standards.
• Identify and mitigate risks related to data security, financial controls, and operational processes.
• Maintain robust documentation and audit trails to support compliance efforts.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, providing insights and recommendations on shared services strategy and operations.
• Collaborate with department heads to understand their needs and ensure shared services meet their requirements.
• Communicate the value of shared services to the organization and promote a customer-centric mindset.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in Business Administration, HR, IT, Finance, Operations Management, or a related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in shared services, back-office operations, or a related field, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Proven track record of driving process improvement, cost reduction, and operational excellence.
• Strong financial acumen and experience managing budgets and P&L.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and process automation tools.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and compliance standards relevant to shared services.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a focus on data-driven decision-making.

Key Competencies:

• Strategic thinking and business acumen.
• Change management and transformation leadership.
• Customer focus and service orientation.
• Team building and talent development.
• Process optimization and innovation.
• Stakeholder management and collaboration.