ABOUT US
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
What we offer
We give you the freedom to be yourself. We are creating an environment of unique individuals – like you – with different perspectives on the financial industry and the world. A diverse and inclusive environment in which everyone’s voice counts and where you can reach your full potential.
We are committed to an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation related to accessibility during your application or interview, please contact accessibility-Sysgroup@swift.com or indicate this in your application.
Please note that this mailbox is not monitored for general recruitment enquiries and should only be used for accessibility or accommodation-related requests (for example related to vision, hearing or neurodiversity).
All requests are confidential and will not affect your candidacy.
Don’t meet every single requirement? At Swift, we are dedicated to building a workplace where people can bring their full selves and ideas to the team, so if you are excited about this role, we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every single qualification.
