Group Operations Lead - General Accounting

Group Operations Lead – Property Accounting (AMER Region)

Overview

Lead and transform property accounting operations across the Americas region, driving operational excellence through strategic leadership, innovative solutions, and stakeholder partnership. This senior leadership role oversees comprehensive Finance & Accounting processes with accountability for delivering world-class service while building high-performing teams and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Operational Excellence

• Direct end-to-end property accounting operations for the AMER region, including Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, General Ledger, and Financial Reporting
• Deliver consistent operational excellence, ensuring Service Level Agreements are met or exceeded monthly
• Drive adoption of emerging technologies, particularly Generative AI, to achieve world-class operational delivery
• Champion standardization and continuous improvement initiatives through industry benchmarking and transformation programs
• Key focus on sustaining Quality throughout from teams consistently
• Drive data driven approach across the span, accountants to show ownership as a Controller for assigned property. Empower team to provide true insights to business team to drive value added conversations end to end, other words, act as trusted advisor to partner effectively with business teams
• Financial Ownership and P&L Accountability - Assume direct responsibility for portfolio budgeting, including strategic capacity and headcount planning, and maintain clear accountability for achieving P&L objectives
• Governance Framework Development - Develop, implement, and continuously enhance governance frameworks to ensure alignment with JLL’s internal controls and industry best practices, proactively adapting these frameworks to address evolving operational demands and regulatory requirements
• Operational Benchmarking - Obtain and sustain deep expertise in operational processes; systematically identify and act on opportunities to drive efficiencies through process standardization, transformation, continuous improvement initiatives and benchmarking against leading practices in comparable industries
  
  

• Lead, motivate, and develop large-scale property accounting teams across the AMER region
• Establish clear performance expectations and conduct regular performance evaluations
• Develop people on core JLL values across the hierarchy, drive winning culture across.
• Build succession planning strategies and actively participate in recruitment and talent acquisition
• Maintain attrition rates below industry benchmarks through effective engagement and development initiatives
• Coach and mentor team members, fostering a culture of proactive ownership and "First Time Right" methodology
  
  

• Serve as the trusted advisor to business teams and clients across the AMER region
• Build and maintain strategic stakeholder relationships to identify and resolve operational challenges. Liaise with Business teams, Onshore counterparts, Technology teams to design and implement best in class Operating model
• Lead communication and engagement during service transitions and account onboarding. Exhibit One JLL, ONE Team approach always to mitigate/address risks seamlessly
• Proactively communicate success stories, achievements & strategic insights to senior leadership to facilitate informed decision-making
  
  

• Challenge existing paradigms and develop innovative solutions, including automation initiatives
• Identify optimization opportunities through data-driven insights and analytical tools
• Ensure full compliance with internal and external audit requirements and control frameworks
• Maintain working knowledge of Service Organization Controls Reporting (SOCR) guidelines
• Anticipate risks and develop comprehensive mitigation strategies
  
  

• Act as a change management ambassador, aligning initiatives with organizational objectives
• Drive organizational strategy implementation through tactical and strategic approaches
• Establish robust operational structures and define frameworks aligned with strategic vision
  
  

• Qualified Accountant (CPA, CA, or equivalent) with 15+ years of relevant professional experience
• Minimum 7 years in senior leadership roles within Finance & Accounting operations, leading E2E assignment independently
• Deep subject matter expertise in property accounting, including Payables, Receivables, General Accounting, and Reporting
• Six Sigma Black Belt or Green Belt certification (required)
  
  

• Proven track record of leading large, diverse Finance & Accounting teams
• Self-driven leadership with demonstrated ability to take calculated risks and deliver successful outcomes
• Exceptional coaching and mentoring capabilities, including the ability to conduct challenging conversations
• Experience managing organizational transitions and offshore business environments
• Experience in driving change seamlessly across all levels impeccably, influence onshore and business teams to embrace new ways of working
  
  

• Strong analytical acumen with strategic thinking and solution-oriented approach
• Demonstrated capability to identify opportunities and drive continuous improvements to completion
• Comprehensive understanding of business processes and ability to apply industry best practices
• Proficiency in leveraging Generative AI and analytical tools for data-driven decision-making
  
  

• Exceptional communication skills with cultural awareness across diverse geographical regions
• Established client management expertise with ability to build impactful relationships across organizational hierarchies
• Ability to communicate with clarity, confidence, and precision while maintaining a stakeholder-centered approach
  
  

• Flexibility and capacity to perform effectively under pressure while managing multiple priorities
• Resilience when managing stringent deadlines and elevating performance expectations
• Developmental, systematic, and methodical approach to responsibilities
• Proactive and predictive mindset with strong risk management capabilities
  
  

• Consistently meet or exceed established KPIs monthly
• Maintain attrition rates below industry benchmarks
• Deliver service level commitments with minimal supervisory guidance
• Successfully implement continuous improvement initiatives and automation solutions
• Build robust succession plans across the organization