Finance Transformation Lead

We’re the world’s leading provider of secure financial messaging services, headquartered in Belgium. We are the way the world moves value – across borders, through cities and overseas. No other organisation can address the scale, precision, pace and trust that this demands, and we’re proud to support the global economy.

We’re unique too. We were established to find a better way for the global financial community to move value – a reliable, safe and secure approach that the community can trust, completely. We’re always striving to be better and are constantly evolving in an ever-changing landscape, without undermining that trust. Five decades on, our vibrant community reflects the complexity and diversity of the financial ecosystem. We innovate diligently, test exhaustively, then implement fast. In a connected and exciting era, our mission has never been more relevant. Swift now has a presence in 200+ countries and legal territories to serve a community of more than 12,000 banks and financial institutions.

Reporting to the Finance Transformation & Operations Director, the Finance Transformation Lead is a senior, hands on leadership role accountable for delivering tangible, measurable outcomes from finance transformation initiatives across regions. The role combines strategic direction with active execution, ensuring that transformation efforts translate into cost efficient improvements, scalable solutions, and real impact.

Beyond delivery, the role plays a key part in shaping the future finance operating model, supporting the natural evolution of finance skillsets, and building strong, trust based partnerships across the organization, particularly with IT, Data, and Enterprise AI teams. The position is a strong path for future senior leadership positions.

Key Responsibilities

Hands‑on Transformation Delivery & Value Realization

Personally drive and contribute to the delivery of high‑impact finance transformation initiatives, staying close to execution details

Translate strategy into practical designs, pilots, and implemented solutions, not just conceptual frameworks

Ensure initiatives deliver clear, quantifiable benefits (cost reduction, efficiency gains, cycle‑time improvements, quality uplift)

Maintain a strong focus on cost‑efficient value realization, prioritizing reuse, standardization, and pragmatic solutions over complexity

Vision, Roadmap & Pragmatic Execution

Define a compelling Finance Transformation vision grounded in operational reality

Shape and maintain prioritized, multi‑year transformation roadmaps with clear milestones and value targets

Balance ambition with feasibility, ensuring roadmaps are executable within financial, technical, and organizational constraints

Program & Portfolio Ownership

Lead large‑scale, multi‑domain transformation programs across data, technology, process, and operating model

Own delivery governance, including dependency management, financial tracking and risk mitigation

Actively intervene where needed to unblock teams and accelerate progress

Team Leadership & Skillset Evolution

Lead and develop a team of managers and senior specialists across Europe and Asia

Actively support the natural evolution of finance skillsets, enabling teams to grow towards modern finance capabilities (analytics, digital finance, automation, transformation delivery)

Foster a culture of continuous learning, practical problem‑solving, and accountability for outcomes

Data, Technology & Process Enablement

Drive improvements across:

Finance data models, reporting, and analytics capabilities

Core finance systems and transformation platforms (ERP, planning, analytics)

End‑to‑end finance processes with a focus on simplification, automation, and standardization

Ensure solutions are designed for scalability, maintainability, and cost efficiency

Cross‑Functional Partnership & Enterprise Alignment

Build strong, outcome‑oriented relationships with IT, Enterprise AI, Data, and Architecture teams

Act as a bridge between Finance and enabling functions to ensure alignment between business needs and technical solutions

Co‑create solutions that leverage enterprise platforms, AI capabilities, and shared assets, avoiding duplication and siloed initiatives

Represent Finance effectively in enterprise‑wide transformation, data, and AI forums

Change Adoption & Stakeholder Engagement

Lead pragmatic change management focused on adoption, usability, and sustained impact

Engage senior stakeholders with clear, fact‑based communication on progress, value delivery, and risks

Ensure new processes, tools, and ways of working are fully embedded in day‑to‑day operations

Key Deliverables & Outcomes

Implemented finance transformation solutions with measurable cost and efficiency benefits

Clear and actionable finance transformation roadmap

Improved finance processes, systems, and data capabilities adopted across regions

Strong collaboration between Finance, IT, Enterprise AI, and Data teams

Finance teams equipped with future‑relevant capabilities, embedded in daily work

What You Will Need

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, Engineering, or a related field. Master’s degree or professional qualifications (CPA, CA, CFA) preferred

10+ years of experience in finance transformation, consulting, or senior finance roles

Proven track record of hands-on delivery of complex transformation programs and initiatives, experience working across international organizations is an advantage

Strong understanding of finance processes, systems, and data in global environments

Strong delivery mindset with attention to execution detail

Ability to simplify complexity and drive cost‑effective solutions

Executive‑level stakeholder management and influencing skills

Cross‑cultural leadership and collaboration

Comfort operating between strategy definition and hands‑on implementation