Lead Business Analyst - Finance

SO, WHAT'S THE STORY?

The company is on an exciting growth journey, following events and market changes, largely external to Dr. Martens, we have gone through a challenging period. Shifts in consumer and trade customer behaviour has put considerable pressure on the current operating model. Strategies have been designed and delivered, or are currently underway, to restore Dr. Martens to growth in 2025 and beyond. A number of these initiatives sit in the Finance domain and need the dedicated expertise and guidance to ensure they deliver upon expectations within the timeframe to support the growth strategy.

THE GIG The Lead BA - Finance is responsible for delivering finance solutions that meet the needs of the business as we deliver our strategy. This role will partner with the business finance team to ensure the seamless implementation, integration, and optimisation of technology. We are looking for an experienced, hands-on, outcome focussed D365 Business Analyst. You are passionate about technology and have a deep understanding of finance processes. You will help manage the functional finance enhancements from defining business and systems requirements right through to UAT, training and implementation, dealing with high-level stakeholders in a business-critical, fast-moving role.

Main Responsibilities: • Support and develop reliable and efficient technology solutions for the finance function (3rd/4th line support). • Ensure platforms bring automation and improved efficiency to business process enabling maximum return on investment. • Build relationships with the finance function ensuring good collaboration. • Stay ahead of advancements in technologies and methodologies, introducing innovations as needed. • Act as a key member of the Finance technology team develop plans for improved governance, delivery models and management of finance and transactional data. • Build documented functional and technical specifications for finance applications. • Audit existing implementations of finance and supply chain systems making recommendations for improved deployment and utilisation in the business. • Support the continual improvement of the Finance team through technology, via but not limited to: • Development of cross-functional process design • Adoption of business systems and operational best practices • Implementation of conventions & standards (including agreed terminology) • Advise on optimal solutions available for immediate business process requirements • Support relationships and management of service levels with third-party service and solution providers. • Pro-actively engage Finance stakeholders in order to influence key business decisions and conduct regular “operational service reviews” to confirm plans, prioritisation and delivery are in-line with stakeholder expectation. • Ensure that there is sufficient systems process documentation and that security controls are robust and working in line with expectations. • You will bring the outside in & keep up to date with emerging technology developments within the Microsoft D365 space, updating business stakeholders of pipeline improvements and the value they could bring. • Partner closely with the Finance team to get the most out of Microsoft D365; inspiring them with technology solutions and the value they bring. • Direct the development and subsequent delivery of future systems roadmaps to support the future operating model for the Finance function. • Analyse requirements, design, specify and implement technology solutions in line with the business and Finance strategy that will add value to the business. THE STUFF THAT SETS YOU APART Experience and Skills Must-Haves: • Experience of configuring and supporting Finance solutions including: D365. • 6-10 relevant years' experience of supporting finance systems, with D365 F&O • Financial Reporter • Experience of working on global systems with regional accounting practices • Experienced in building functional and technical specifications for integrated solutions across technologies. • Experience with agile ways of working and other delivery methodologies. • Excellent knowledge of Microsoft technologies including Dynamics 365FO (essential). • You’ll have a strong accounting background and understand financial business processes. • Hands-on experience with ERP systems and integrations. • Combination of detail orientation and big picture thinking, able to develop testing strategy and translate this into business plans that deliver the right outcomes. • Comfortable writing clear business documentation, such as business process documents, technical specifications and training documents. • Change oriented – actively generates process improvements, champions and drives change initiatives, confronts difficult circumstances in creative ways, balances multiple and competing priorities and executes accordingly. • You’ll partner effectively with the wider IT team to build a highly engaged team – you’ll embed a collaborative culture and ensure the team have direction, guidance & support; coaching will be your go-to • You will take ownership for your own development, proactively seeking out feedback to build self-awareness; you’ll prioritise the development of those around you and will take an active role in creating other future leaders • You will bring the outside-in, you’ll share best practice across the team / business and encourage ideas sharing as well as collaborative problem solving • You’ll lead the way and role model on all things DE&I & wellbeing Soft Skills • Continuous improvement mindset with the ability to think both short and long term. • Good communication and stakeholder management skills, both technical and non-technical: demonstrating the ability to work with finance business teams. • A proactive, innovative approach to solving challenges and driving change. • Proactive in identifying inefficiencies and proposing innovative tech-driven solutions. At DM your technical ability will go hand in hand with our leadership characteristics: • Inspire people: share a vision and plan linked to our strategy; make people feel they are part of something bigger; grow your people’s confidence and capacity through coaching and development • Think like a custodian: think and act strategically about the long-term health of DM; make courageous decisions to grow and protect the brand; leave DMs in a better place for consumers and the next generation of leaders • Build connections: form authentic collaborative relationships; build self, talent, diverse & inclusive teams and partnerships; create space to have open and honest discussions with your team and peers • Deliver results: empower and hold yourself and your people accountable; create a safe environment to drive performance and progress, not perfection; be agile, find solutions and deliver with integrity