Cost Management and Critical Balance Lead

Cushman & Wakefield is a global leader in commercial real estate services, helping clients transform the way people work, shop, and live. The firm's 53,000 employees in more than 70 countries provide deep local and global insights that create significant value for occupiers and investors around the world. Cushman & Wakefield is among the largest commercial real estate services firms with revenues of $10.1 billion across core services of agency leasing, asset services, capital markets, facilities services (branded C&W Services), global occupier services, investment management (branded DTZ Investors), tenant representation, and valuations & advisory.

Lead the Critical Balances and Cost Management team, ensuring accurate, timely and controlled delivery of invoice processing, service charge reconciliation, budget review and tenant recharge activities across multiple clients. Provide clear operational leadership, allocate resources, monitor performance and maintain effective controls to reduce held invoice volumes and ageing. Act as the key escalation point for complex queries, drive root cause resolution and continuous improvement, and build strong relationships with clients, suppliers, managing agents and internal stakeholders.

Demonstrable experience leading or supervising a finance operations, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cost management or real estate operations team. Strong practical knowledge of invoice processing, reconciliations, budget reviews, query resolution and financial controls. Experience managing service delivery against agreed SLAs, KPIs and client requirements. Experience coaching team members, managing performance and supporting colleague development. Finance processing or real estate operations experience;

a relevant finance or property qualification is desirable.

Strong people leadership skills, with the ability to motivate, coach and develop a high-performing team. Strong IT literacy, including intermediate to advanced Microsoft Excel skills. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with confidence engaging clients and senior stakeholders. Process-driven and control-focused, with strong attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including root cause analysis and implementation of preventative controls.

Ability to plan, prioritise and allocate work effectively in a fast-paced and changing environment. Commercial awareness and the confidence to challenge, escalte and resolve risks appropriately. Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across teams and functions.

Lead the day-to-day operation of the Critical Balances and Cost Management team, setting clear priorities, allocating workloads and ensuring deliverables and targets are achieved. Own team performance against SLAs and KPIs for invoice processing, service charge reconciliations, budget reviews, tenant recharges and query resolution. Review and approve service charge budget reviews, reconciliations, tenant recharge calculations and ad hoc invoices in line with delegated authority, client procedures and supporting legal documentation.

Drive sustained reduction in the volume and ageing of held invoices through proactive management, clear ownership and timely escalation. Act as the primary escalation point for complex operational, supplier and client queries, ensuring timely resolution and clear communication. Maintain effective working relationships with internal and external clients, suppliers, managing agents, colleagues and management. Liaise with suppliers, managing…