Working Capital Manager

We have an exciting opportunity for a Working Capital Manager to join our Finance team at A&O Shearman.

Role Purpose

The Working Capital Manager plays a pivotal role in supporting the Senior Working Capital Manager to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence across the firm's working capital function. The Working Capital manager is responsible for overseeing daily operations-spanning billing, cash allocation and collections - ensuring timely execution and adherence to best-in-class standards. Leading a high-performing team of 15–20 professionals, including two direct reports, this role fosters a culture of empowerment, collaboration, and accountability.

What you will do

Leadership & People Development

• Provide visionary leadership to a high-performing Working Capital team, fostering excellence and continuous growth.
• Communicate a compelling vision and shared purpose that motivates the team to deliver outstanding results aligned with the firm's strategic objectives.
• Cultivate an inclusive, high-performance culture where individuals feel empowered, heard, trusted, accountable for their contributions, sense of belonging and equipped to excel.
• Lead by example with strong self-awareness-embracing personal development and modelling a commitment to continuous learning.
• Actively coach and mentor team members, promoting innovation, ownership, and professional growth.

Operational Excellence & Strategic Support

• Collaborate closely with the Senior Working Capital Manager to implement initiatives that strengthen cash flow, improve operational efficiency, and enhance overall performance.
• Support the execution of the strategic roadmap for working capital transformation, aligning with firm-wide objectives.

Continuous Improvement & Strategic Contribution

• Identify and drive opportunities for automation, standardisation, and process optimisation across systems and workflows.
• Contribute to projects that promote innovation, sustainability, and continuous improvement.
• Demonstrate agility in adapting to change, applying sound judgment and proactive problem-solving to evolving business needs.

Process Improvement, KPI's & Quality Assurance

• Champion technology enablement and process enhancements to streamline operations, eliminate inefficiencies, and deliver measurable results.
• Define, track, and analyse key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor progress, inform decision-making, and drive continuous improvement.
• Ensure consistent delivery of high-quality outputs that meet or exceed internal and client expectations, while maintaining full compliance with firm policies and standards.

Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration

• Build and maintain strong relationships with global stakeholders, including Partners, Finance Business Partners, and client teams.
• Communicate with clarity and confidence, providing insights and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Collaborate across global finance functions to share best practices and deliver a seamless working capital strategy.

What you will have

• Proven experience leading large, high-performing finance or working capital teams in a professional services or complex business environment.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire, motivate, and align teams around a shared vision.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to build trust and influence across global stakeholder groups.
• Commercially astute, with strong analytical, problem-solving, and process improvement capabilities.
• High degree of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and integrity.
• Commitment to inclusion, empowerment, and developing others.
• Experience with legal or professional services working capital processes (billing, WIP, collections) is highly desirable.
• Proficiency with financial systems and data tools; able to interpret and leverage data for decision-making and insight generation.

Personal Attributes

• Visionary leader who inspires and unites people behind a common purpose.
• Self-aware, open to feedback, and committed to personal and professional growth.
• Empowers others through trust, transparency, and shared accountability.
• Collaborative and inclusive, fostering strong global relationships and cross-functional cooperation.
• Flexible, resilient, and solutions-oriented—able to navigate complexity and change with confidence.
• Passionate about excellence, innovation, and delivering meaningful impact.

What we can offer you

We recognise that our people are our most valuable asset, which is reflected in the wide range of benefits that are available to our employees. Some of these benefits include: our occupational pension scheme, group income protection cover, private medical insurance, mental health resources and free apps, health and wellbeing services encompassing GP service, emergency back-up care support, parental and special leave, holiday entitlement increasing with length of service, holiday trading, online discounts and lifestyle management services.

We recognise the value of flexible working and embrace hybrid working, allowing our people to work from home up to 40% of their working time. We do, however, remain committed to working together in person for the remaining 60% of time so that we can learn, grow and succeed together.

Should you require additional support at any stage of the recruitment process due to a disability or a health condition, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our recruitment team who will work with you to provide any adjustments as required.

We are an equal opportunities recruiter and do not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

If this role is not of interest we may have another suitable opportunity here for you at A&O Shearman Visit our careers portal at A&O Shearman Careers and submit your CV to our Talent Network to be notified when the perfect opportunity becomes available.