Record-to-Report Team Leader with German

**Introduction** A career in IBM Consulting is built on long-term client relationships and close collaboration worldwide. You’ll work with leading companies across industries, helping them shape their hybrid cloud and AI journeys. With support from our strategic partners, robust IBM technology, and Red Hat, you’ll have the tools to drive meaningful change and accelerate client impact. At IBM Consulting, curiosity fuels success. You’ll be encouraged to challenge the norm, explore new ideas, and create innovative solutions that deliver real results. Our culture of growth and empathy focuses on your long-term career development while valuing your unique skills and experiences. **Your role and responsibilities** As an R2R Team Leader, you are responsible for managing end-to-end financial closing and reporting activities while leading a team to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant financial statements. Your role combines operational excellence, stakeholder management, and team leadership. 1. Team Leadership & People Management * Lead, coach, and develop the R2R team to achieve high performance and engagement * Set clear goals, monitor performance, and provide regular feedback * Ensure proper workload allocation and resource planning * Support team development through training and knowledge sharing 2. Financial Close & Reporting Oversight * Oversee month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closing processes * Ensure timely and accurate preparation of financial statements * Review journal entries, reconciliations, and reports for correctness and completeness * Monitor closing calendars and ensure adherence to deadlines 3. Quality & Compliance * Ensure compliance with IFRS / local GAAP and internal accounting policies * Maintain strong internal controls and support audit requirements (internal & external) * Identify and mitigate risks within R2R processes * Drive continuous improvement in accuracy and data quality 4. Process Management & Improvement * Identify process inefficiencies and lead standardization and automation initiatives * Participate in transformation projects (e.g., system implementations like ORACLE) * Drive simplification and optimization of R2R processes (e.g., GL, FA, IC, accruals) 5. Stakeholder & Client Management * Act as primary contact for clients/business stakeholders in R2R area * Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders * Present financial results and provide insights to support decision-making * Handle escalations and ensure timely resolution of issues 6. Performance & KPI Management * Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs) * Ensure delivery meets agreed quality, cost, and timeline targets * Prepare reports for management review and governance meetings 7. Audit & Controls Support * Coordinate audit activities and ensure readiness of documentation * Ensure all reconciliations and controls are properly executed and documented * Address audit findings and implement corrective actions 8. Cross-functional Collaboration * Work closely with other finance streams (P2P, O2C, FP&A) * Ensure alignment and smooth end-to-end process flow * Support business initiatives impacting accounting and reporting **Required technical and professional expertise** * Fluent German (min. B2/C1) and Intermediate English skills * Leadership & People Management * Proven experience in team management (min. 3-5 team members) within Accounts Payable or Finance operations * Ability to motivate, coach, and develop team members, ensuring high engagement and performance * Experience in conducting performance reviews, setting KPIs, and providing regular feedback * Strong conflict resolution and decision-making skills * Transition & Process Ownership * Experience in knowledge transfer (KT) and transition management, preferably in a short/fast-paced transition environment * Ability to stabilize new processes quickly and manage risks during transition phase * Ownership mindset to drive process setup, documentation, and standardization * Close cooperation with the client’s Process Owner to ensure alignment and continuity * Stakeholder & Client Management * Proven ability to manage demanding clients and senior stakeholders * Strong skills in expectation management, escalation handling, and communication under pressure * Experience in leading client calls, governance meetings, and reporting sessions * Ability to translate operational challenges into business-oriented communication * Operational Oversight & Delivery * Responsibility for end-to-end service delivery, including SLAs, KPIs, and quality targets * Strong focus on workload planning, capacity management, and prioritization * Ability to identify bottlenecks and implement corrective actions proactively * Ensuring compliance with internal controls, audit requirements, and accounting standards * Continuous Improvement & Transformation * Experience in process improvement initiatives * Ability to identify automation opportunities and efficiency gains * Driving a culture of continuous improvement and accountability within the team * Reporting & Governance * Strong skills in reporting (KPIs, dashboards, performance metrics) * Ability to provide clear, structured insights to management and client * Experience in handling audits and ensuring documentation quality **Preferred technical and professional experience** * Strong ownership and accountability mindset - acts as the single point of accountability for the process * Proactive and solution-driven, not waiting for direction * Ability to balance people focus with delivery pressure IBM is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, caste, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, veteran status, or other characteristics. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.