VP, Shared Services
About the role
Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the VP, Shared Services is accountable for setting the strategic direction and building / developing a world‑class service organization that delivers increasing value to the organization through an integrated shared services environment (SSC). The role is responsible for supporting all aspects of the company’s business processes and systems to ensure data integrity, efficiency and effectiveness and related internal controls. This role has financial accountability for Shared Services (Accounts Payable, Payroll, Billing, Cash Management and Accounting Services), as well as upstream aspects of business processes associated with these functions that reside in other functional teams and branch locations across BrightView. The position works closely with other corporate functional leaders as well as field‑based finance and operations leaders to efficiently complete business transactions within the BrightView internal control structure.
Responsibilities
- Lead the overall Business Support and Administration organization, totaling more than 400 team members and 4‑6 direct reports in Field Admin Support and Financial Shared Services.
- Develop and implement strategies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of end‑to‑end business support processes.
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement, teamwork, and excellence within the Business Support function.
- Operate with an emphasis on clear and thorough communication, integrity, and ethics at all times.
- Ensure accurate and timely processing of AR, AP, payroll, and cash management activities, including end‑to‑end responsibility for OTC, PTP, and Payroll business processes.
- Implement and monitor internal controls to safeguard company assets and ensure compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.
- Develop and maintain key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the efficiency and effectiveness of SSC processes.
- Identify opportunities for process improvements and automation within the SSC and across the business, including Field Support, Operations, and other functional teams; lead initiatives to streamline processes, reduce costs, and enhance service levels.
- Collaborate with IT and other departments to implement new technologies and systems.
- Participate in strategic planning for the SSC and align departmental goals with overall company objectives; develop and manage the SSC budget, ensuring cost‑effective operations.
- Provide insights and recommendations to senior management on financial and operational matters.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders regarding SSC operations; build and maintain strong relationships with department heads, suppliers, and service providers.
- Create and present executive‑level presentations summarizing issues, risks, proposed solutions, and next steps; incorporate feedback and advance alignment with organizational goals.
- Ensure effective communication and coordination between the SSC and other departments.
- Ensure compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and company policies; oversee risk management processes within the SSC to identify and mitigate potential risks.
- Coordinate internal and external audits and ensure timely resolution of audit findings.
- Attract, retain, and develop top talent within the SSC; provide coaching, mentoring, and professional development opportunities for team members.
- Foster a positive work environment that promotes employee engagement and satisfaction; conduct succession planning for key direct reports and team members.
- Prepare and present regular reports on SSC performance, including financial metrics and operational KPIs; conduct thorough analysis to identify trends, issues, and improvement opportunities.
- Provide actionable insights and recommendations to senior management based on analysis.
- Maintain technical understanding of current US GAAP, especially around revenue & expense recognition, and implications of issues that arise within SSC and with branches.
- Understand the financial monthly close process, cash‑flow and cash‑management tracking.
- Ensure high levels of customer service and satisfaction for internal clients and external partners; implement quality assurance processes to ensure accuracy and reliability of SSC outputs.
- Handle escalations and resolve issues promptly and effectively.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Business required; master’s preferred.
- 10+ years of progressive accounting, business process and systems experience.
- Technically proficient in current US GAAP and business information systems.
- Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations related to payroll.
- Significant experience with a shared services business model.
- Proven ability to execute plans/projects in a matrixed environment.
- Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret and communicate data.