Product Owner – Finance

Product Owner – Finance & Accounting (Digital Transformation & AI)

Start Date: ASAP

Travel: Approximately 70% onsite in Belgium

Duration: 12 months

Rate: Competitive

Overview

We are seeking an experienced Product Owner – Finance & Accounting to lead the digital transformation of the global Record-to-Report (R2R) function for a global life sciences organisation.

The role will own the product vision and roadmap across financial close, accounting, internal controls, treasury and tax, driving an AI-first approach to Finance digitalisation . The focus is on transforming traditional financial processes into more automated, intelligent and controlled ways of working, including the adoption of agentic AI to accelerate the financial close and deliver measurable business value.

Responsibilities

• Own and champion the product vision and roadmap for an AI-first Finance function, partnering with Accounting, Internal Controls, Treasury and Tax stakeholders.
• Lead the transformation and digitalisation of the end-to-end Record-to-Report process, with particular emphasis on month-end and year-end close.
• Identify, assess and prioritise opportunities for AI, agentic workflows and automation across journals, reconciliations, intercompany accounting, accruals and variance analysis.
• Own and continuously prioritise the product backlog, ensuring delivery teams focus on initiatives that maximise business value and return on investment.
• Translate business requirements into clear epics, features, user stories and acceptance criteria for Finance technology enhancements.
• Work closely with development and delivery teams through backlog refinement, sprint planning, product reviews and iterative delivery.
• Act as the primary link between Finance stakeholders and technology teams, ensuring business requirements are understood and translated into effective solutions.
• Define and monitor KPIs to measure product performance, including close duration, manual journal volumes, reconciliation automation and overall process efficiency.
• Track and communicate the value delivered to the Finance function, using data and business feedback to inform future priorities.
• Ensure internal controls, governance, compliance and auditability are embedded into solution design from the outset.
• Drive stakeholder engagement, adoption and change management to ensure new digital capabilities are successfully implemented and embedded across the global Finance community.
• Continuously evaluate emerging technologies and opportunities to improve Finance processes, user experience and operational performance.

Requirements

• At least 5 years' experience as a Product Owner, Business Analyst or similar role delivering technology solutions for Finance or Accounting functions.
• Strong understanding of end-to-end Record-to-Report processes, including general ledger, financial close, reconciliations, intercompany accounting, consolidation and financial reporting.
• Working knowledge of internal controls, Treasury and Tax processes.
• At least 5 years' experience working with ERP platforms and financial close or reconciliation solutions.
• Proven experience owning and prioritising a product backlog, working directly with development teams in an Agile delivery environment.
• Strong understanding of product management principles, value-driven prioritisation and outcome-based delivery.
• A practical interest in AI, agentic workflows and automation, with the ability to identify valuable use cases and translate them into actionable product initiatives.
• Experience driving digital transformation and process improvement within Finance, moving beyond traditional system enhancements towards measurable business outcomes.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence senior Finance stakeholders and collaborate with technical delivery teams.
• Experience working in complex, global and cross-functional environments.
• A proactive, adaptable and commercially minded approach, with the ability to manage competing priorities and drive delivery through ambiguity.
• Experience with Oracle Cloud ERP; alternatively, experience with platforms such as SAP or BlackLine.
• Practical exposure to AI-enabled Finance solutions, agentic AI or intelligent automation.
• Experience transforming financial close, accounting and reconciliation processes.Knowledge of SOX controls and experience operating within a regulated or controlled environment.
• Experience within the life sciences sector or another complex, international organisation.
• A bachelor's or master's degree in Finance, Account