Job Description
Why join us? As a Working Capital Lead, you’ll gain high-profile exposure across divisions, working closely with senior stakeholders and Partners while benefiting from clear progression opportunities and the chance to make a tangible impact on business performance. This will be a hybrid role based from our Manchester office 3 days per week. Responsibilities In this role, you will take ownership of driving improved working capital performance across your division. You will develop a deep understanding of working capital cycles across different territories, teams, and service lines, using data-led insights to monitor WIP, billing, disbursements, and cash collection against set targets. You will chair regular review meetings with fee earners, working to ensure timely billing and payment in line with agreed terms, while identifying and addressing aged WIP and debt. By partnering closely with divisional management, you will track real-time performance and support the implementation of corrective actions to improve overall financial outcomes. You will build considerable, credible relationships with Partners and key stakeholders, becoming the primary point of contact for working capital matters and influencing behaviours to drive accountability. Working alongside the Finance Business Partnering team, you will analyse performance drivers, identify root causes of inefficiencies, and recommend process or behavioural improvements. You will also support the review of financial controls, contribute to resolving at-risk WIP and debt, and collaborate with Finance Operations to enhance financial MI understanding across the business. Through clear and consistent communication, you will ensure alignment on priorities, deadlines, and performance expectations across the division. What will help you succeed in this role? Essential Proven experience influencing senior stakeholders to drive business performance and financial control Considerable communication skills with the ability to build and maintain effective relationships at all levels Financially minded with advanced Excel capability and analytical skills Demonstrable ability to manage and prioritise workload in a fast-paced environment Experience monitoring and improving working capital metrics (WIP, billing, collections) High level of commercial awareness with the ability to translate financial insight into action Desirable Experience within a legal or professional services environment Exposure to international or multi-jurisdictional business operations Understanding of working capital processes within complex organisations Experience supporting or partnering with Finance Business Partnering teams Knowledge of financial controls and process improvement methodologies Experience delivering financial training or improving financial literacy across non-finance teams What we offer? We are committed to ensuring that each member of our team feels valued and duly rewarded during their time at DWF. We are an equal opportunities employer that celebrates diversity and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all. We aim to create a positive experience for all candidates and offer any adjustments or additional support needed. If you're excited about the opportunity but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with all the requirements, please apply anyway. You may be the right candidate for the role or others across the wider team. About us DWF is a leading global provider of integrated legal and business services. We empower people to be themselves within an inclusive and supportive environment, enabling everyone to achieve their full potential in line with their abilities and career aspirations. #LI-Hybrid
Essential Proven experience influencing senior stakeholders to drive business performance and financial control Considerable communication skills with the ability to build and maintain effective relationships at all levels Financially minded with advanced Excel capability and analytical skills Demonstrable ability to manage and prioritise workload in a fast-paced environment Experience monitoring and improving working capital metrics (WIP, billing, collections) High level of commercial awareness with the ability to translate financial insight into action Desirable Experience within a legal or professional services environment Exposure to international or multi-jurisdictional business operations Understanding of working capital processes within complex organisations Experience supporting or partnering with Finance Business Partnering teams Knowledge of financial controls and process improvement methodologies Experience delivering financial training or improving financial literacy across non-finance teams
In this role, you will take ownership of driving improved working capital performance across your division. You will develop a deep understanding of working capital cycles across different territories, teams, and service lines, using data-led insights to monitor WIP, billing, disbursements, and cash collection against set targets. You will chair regular review meetings with fee earners, working to ensure timely billing and payment in line with agreed terms, while identifying and addressing aged WIP and debt. By partnering closely with divisional management, you will track real-time performance and support the implementation of corrective actions to improve overall financial outcomes. You will build considerable, credible relationships with Partners and key stakeholders, becoming the primary point of contact for working capital matters and influencing behaviours to drive accountability. Working alongside the Finance Business Partnering team, you will analyse performance drivers, identify root causes of inefficiencies, and recommend process or behavioural improvements. You will also support the review of financial controls, contribute to resolving at-risk WIP and debt, and collaborate with Finance Operations to enhance financial MI understanding across the business. Through clear and consistent communication, you will ensure alignment on priorities, deadlines, and performance expectations across the division.