Head of Business Services - R2R
External
Dssmith · CaerphillyPrepare for this interview
EliteAI-generated questions, company research, and talking points tailored to this role
About the role
We're looking for a Head of Record to Report (R2R) to lead our financial accounting, compliance, and reporting frameworks across the UK and Benelux. Based in our Caerphilly Business Services hub, this is a high-impact senior leadership role with responsibility for maintaining robust financial integrity, ensuring adherence to regulatory and statutory requirements, and upholding strong governance and control frameworks. This role goes beyond operational leadership - you will bring a fresh perspective, challenge ways of working, and drive continuous improvement, standardisation, and digital transformation, particularly through close partnership with our Automation and Technology teams. As part of the Business Services senior leadership team, you'll lead and inspire a large, high-performing function, shaping both long-term strategy and organisational capability, while fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous development. We are DS Smith, together with International Paper, we are a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions and other fibre-based products. We believe a better, more sustainable tomorrow is possible with the right people, who challenge and support one another to enact positive change. We employ more than 65,000 colleagues in North America and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), who are experts in innovation, manufacturing, design, sales, sustainability, supply chain, and much more. Together with our customers, we make the world safer and more productive, one sustainable packaging solution at a time. Become part of a world-leading organisation and do your best work with us! Fair recruitment at DS Smith To fulfil our purpose of redefining packaging for a changing world, we aim to build a diverse, motivated, and engaged workforce. Our goal is to create a culture of inclusion where everyone is treated fairly, differences are valued, and everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed. Our people come from diverse backgrounds, bring different perspectives, ideas and experiences to generate unique solutions focused on present and future sustainability challenges. We welcome all candidates to apply, even those not meeting all criteria #LI-CE #DSCAE
Responsibilities
- Lead and develop a large R2R function (c.40 FTE), setting the strategic roadmap and contributing to Business Services leadership, governance, and long-term planning
- Manage the associated R2R processes across multiple geographies, ensuring strong financial control, SOX compliance, audit readiness, and balance sheet integrity
- Drive transformation through process optimisation, standardisation, and automation, working closely with technology teams to deliver scalable solutions
- Build strong stakeholder partnerships across UK & Benelux, fostering a high-performance culture, managing risk, and developing future talent while deputising for the Director when required
- About You:
- Qualified accountant (ACCA, ACA, CIMA or equivalent) with strong senior leadership experience in complex, multi-layered finance environments
- Strategic leader with a proven track record in transformation, process optimisation, and automation, bringing fresh thinking and challenging the status quo
- Strong expertise in financial controls, compliance, and SOX, with the ability to balance governance and operational excellence
- Strong people and stakeholder leadership skills, with experience building high-performing teams, developing talent, and influencing across geographies and functions
Benefits
Your Match
How well this role fits your profile.
Company Intel
What employees say
Worked at dssmith? Share your experience