Finance Trainer

About Withers Worldwide

A law firm focused on people and collaboration. For the past 125 years, Withers has supported some of the world's most remarkable people and organisations at defining moments in their lives. We are the only international law firm focused on successful individuals and private capital, working closely with founders, investors and family offices. We also advise governments, charities, global brands and start-ups of all shapes and sizes. Many of our clients are shaping the future and creating solutions to tackle many of the world's problems.  It makes for a fascinating and challenging practice. Our role is to get to know each individual client, find out where they want to be, and help them to get there – whether they are building a business, looking after their family, involved in a complex dispute or protecting their finances for the future. To meet their unique needs we are exceptionally collaborative, working together across teams and time zones. We are agile, focusing on strategy rather than rigid ideas and traditional hierarchy. It is a truly flexible working culture that puts people first. Join us to be part of a team that is always looking to the future. Where initiative, big ideas and bold moves are always encouraged. Where you can truly be yourself.

What are we looking for?

As part of an investment to continuously improve quality and outcomes across the full range of Finance operations, Withers are seeking an experienced Finance Trainer to join our team. As a Finance Trainer, you will be responsible for designing and delivering financial training programs to support fee earners and divisional support staff across all legal divisions and Business Services teams including the Finance team itself.  

Your goal will be to improve financial hygiene by encouraging change of behaviours and enable better use of Finance systems.  Specifically this will encompass:

• enhancing the firm wide understanding of supporting systems (3E, 3E Workspace (time recording), Xcelerate (budgeting tool), Evaluate (pricing tool), Chrome River (expenses)
• enhancing the firm wide understanding of core finance processes 
• increasing financial literacy
• improving decision-making
• promoting best practice across all legal sector financial management, operations and processes

Your priorities will be to:-

• with the support of the FD and others (detailed below) develop the finance training strategy 
• continue the work started by Financial Consultant Trainer to improve financial hygiene through process improvements started in UK with the ultimate aim of reducing partner lock up below 3 months – this to be extended globally
• improve time recording so that fee earners are recording time within 48 hours

Areas of focus and responsibilities

• Strategy 
  • Develop a global finance training strategy to support achievement of the firm's goal to enhance profitability and ensure client service with consideration of the end-to-end client/matter lifecycle.  This will include conducting a training needs analysis, developing the training and then the communication and engagement plan in conjunction with the Global Finance Director, the Heads of Finance, the COO, the partner responsible for Change and Innovation, the Director of Risk & Compliance, the Global Head of Learning & Development and the GSMT.
• Communication & Engagement 
  • Develop a good understanding of the audience.
  • Proactively work to build good relationships with your audience, maintain visibility to them in order to effect change. 
  • Develop strategies to engage with individuals.
  • Provide clear, concise and effective communication.
• Training Delivery:
  • Personally facilitate engaging and effective workshops, seminars, and personalized coaching sessions.
  • Adapt your facilitation style to meet the diverse needs of participants, whether they’re beginners or seasoned professionals.
  • Foster an interactive learning environment that encourages questions, discussions, and practical exercises.
  • Embedding within the finance training a holistic understanding of the wider context within which the finance processes and behaviours sit.
• Curriculum Development:
  • Create comprehensive training materials, including visually appealing presentations, handouts, and interactive e-learning modules which are designed to deliver the learning objectives.
  • Tailor content to address various financial topics, such as billing, collections, AP, Expenses etc. 
• Content Customization:
  • Collaborate with subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and relevance.
  • Collaborate with all those involved in delivering training (L&D, IT Trainers, Knowledge Lawyers) to ensure a truly integrated approach to training delivery. 
  • Customize training content based on the audience’s background, industry, and specific challenges.
• Evaluation and Improvement:
  • Continuously assess the effectiveness of your training programs.
  • Gather feedback from participants and adjust content as needed.
  • Stay up-to-date with industry trends, regulatory changes, and emerging financial tools.
• Support and Motivation:
  • Provide ongoing support to learners beyond the training sessions.
  • Encourage participants to apply their newfound knowledge in real-life scenarios.
  • Inspire confidence and enthusiasm for high quality financial management.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not exhaustive. It is intended to describe the general content of, and requirements for the performance of this job, and as such, the role may also include the undertaking of additional tasks as required. 

Key attributes and skills

• Communication Skills:
  • Effective verbal and written communication to convey financial concepts clearly.
  • Ability to engage and influence learners during training or coaching sessions in a way that inspires long term behaviour change.
  • Can respectfully challenge their audience where they meet resistance.
• Adaptability:
  • Finance is dynamic; trainers must stay updated on industry trends, regulations, and emerging technologies.
  • Flexibility to adjust training content based on audience needs.
• Financial Acumen:
  • Deep understanding of financial statements, budgeting, forecasting, and performance analysis.
  • Ability to guide learners in practical financial decision-making.
• Problem-Solving Skills:
  • Capacity to address complex financial scenarios and provide practical solutions.
  • Encouraging critical thinking among participants.
• Empathy and Patience:
  • Supporting learners with varying backgrounds and skill levels.
  • Being patient during the learning process.
• Accounting Skills:
  • Proficiency in reading and understanding financial documents, such as balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.
• Analytical Skills:
  • Capability to interpret complex financial information and draw meaningful insights.
  • Aptitude for identifying trends, patterns, and potential risks.

Qualifications required and experience in sector

• Experience building training programs for finance systems, such as 3E and 3E Workspace 
• Experience of training facilitation, coaching and developing the financial skills and financial systems skills of organisational users in a variety of environments
• Experience of delivering in a global organisation: training, virtual training, coaching and creating e-learning content
• Ability to develop training materials
• Knowledge of Legal sector Finance operations and processes eg. time recording, billing, cashiering
• Ability to explain complex issues succinctly and clearly
• Liaising with testers, developers, clients and other stakeholders 
• Excellent people skills and a team working ethos
• Ability to win the confidence and respect of Partners and stakeholders 
• The energy and enthusiasm to manage new initiatives and challenge the norm 
• The ability to stay calm and work under pressure whilst maintaining a high level of attention to detail
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills 
• An organised but flexible approach to work which allows you to manage conflicting deadlines and priorities
• Excellent IT skills

The Essentials

• 9.30am to 5.30pm but flexibility is a must
• 12 week probation period
• 12 week notice period
• Flexible benefits package including pension, private medical, season ticket loan, subsidised gym memberships, lifestyle discount scheme, on site café plus more
• You will be working in our London offices but will be required to deliver training across all regions globally. 

Information for Recruitment Agencies

Withersworldwide endeavours to recruit and fill vacancies directly. However, when we do need to engage with agencies, Withersworldwide operates a preferred supplier list and will not be accepting unsolicited applications from non-PSL agencies for this role.

Equal Opportunities Employment Statement 

It is the policy of Withersworldwide to provide equal opportunities for all employees in relation to recruitment, training and promotion.  Decisions in these areas will be made only by reference to the requirements of the job and shall not be influenced by any consideration of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race (including colour, nationality and ethnic and national origin), religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.