Billing and Operations Business Partner

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end billing process, ensuring invoices are raised accurately, on time and in accordance with agreed client fee arrangements, retainers and project terms.
• Monitor and review work in progress (WIP), identifying opportunities to convert activity into revenue, minimise write-offs and support profitable client delivery.
• Support debt management by tracking outstanding invoices and working with consultants, partners and finance teams to improve collections.
• Lead on billing cases, resolving issues and escalating complex matters where appropriate.
• Produce regular reporting on billing, WIP, debtors, utilisation, recovery and overall team performance.
• Support budgeting, forecasting and revenue planning activities.
• Drive compliance with time-recording requirements and ensure financial information is accurate and kept up to date.
• Provide commercial support and guidance to the Director of HR Consultancy, Head of Reward and HR Business Partners on billing, budgets and financial performance.
• Act as a trusted business partner to the HR Consultancy leadership team, highlighting financial and operational risks, trends and opportunities.

• Manage and take accountability for service delivery to clients, supporting the team in delivering excellent client service.
• Track client service level agreements and ensure agreed deadlines are met.
• Respond to client enquiries in a professional and timely manner.
• Cultivate and manage strong internal and external client relationships, acting as a trusted adviser and primary point of contact.
• Collaborate effectively with colleagues across the consultancy to support the delivery of integrated HR solutions.
• Manage the client onboarding and offboarding process.

• Ensure relevant systems, including the CRM, are maintained and information is accurate and up to date.
• Maintain a high level of proficiency in relevant software and systems, using technology to streamline activities and improve efficiency.
• Proactively identify and implement opportunities to improve billing, administrative and operational processes, controls and reporting.

• Support the Director of HR Consultancy with the day-to-day business operations of the department, including diary management and wider organisational activities.
• Collaborate with Senior HR Business Partners to align operational and strategic goals.
  Support internal teams in delivering services to clients and contribute to business development activities.
• Support knowledge management and the maintenance of HR Consultancy resources.
• Assist other teams with administrative tasks as required.
• Actively participate in team meetings and wider company initiatives.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Strong financial, billing or operational management experience, ideally within a professional services and/or consultancy environment.
• Experience of WIP management, billing and debt recovery processes.
• Strong commercial and operational experience, with an understanding of how effective financial and operational management supports profitable client delivery.
• Excellent analytical and reporting skills, with the ability to interpret financial and operational information, identify trends and provide meaningful insights.
• Strong attention to detail and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines and competing demands effectively.
• Commercially focused with a proactive, solutions-orientated approach, able to identify issues, opportunities and improvements and take appropriate action.
• Strong communication, stakeholder and relationship management skills, with the confidence to influence and constructively challenge colleagues at different levels.
• Strong client service skills, with the ability to build effective internal and external relationships and take ownership of delivering a responsive, high-quality service.
• Experience of improving processes and ways of working, including identifying opportunities to
• increase efficiency, strengthen controls and make effective use of technology.
• Strong systems and digital skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office and the ability to confidently use and maintain financial, CRM and other business systems.
• A collaborative and flexible approach, with the ability to work effectively across different teams and support wider operational and business priorities.

Benefits