Head of Shared Services
ABOUT METROPOLIS
Metropolis supports cities and large metropolitan areas to find innovative and sustainable answers to current and future urban challenges. Bringing together over 160 member cities and 700 million inhabitants worldwide, Metropolis serves as a global hub where metropolises can connect, share experiences and mobilise on issues related to economic development, social cohesion, sustainability, gender equality, and quality of life.
ABOUT THE ROLE
Metropolis is looking for a talented and driven Head of Shared Services, to provide leadership and strategic direction to the Shared services team, made up of four people. They will be part of the General Secretariat’s Management Committee, made up of the 5 Heads of Area and the Secretary General.
The Shared Services area is in charge of accounting and budgeting, HR, procurement, logistics and legal compliance, to ensure the smooth functioning of the corporate support service function.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Admin & Financial Operations:
- Effectively manage the financial operations (accounting, audit, payments, donor reports).
- Formulate, execute, and evaluate the annual budget and financial reports, monitor the budget of the different areas, and intervene in case of impactful incidents.
- Financial accountability to the Board of Directors, authorities, and donors.
- Negotiate financing conditions with financial institutions.
- Approve and sign payments.
- Manage procurement: service contracts, suppliers, tenders.
HR
- Oversee the development of HR policies and strategies.
- Ensure safety and health in their workplace and other positions, following established procedures and current regulations on PRL.
- With the help of the Associate Officer for HR, oversee the professional development, performance, training, and other human resources matters.
LOGISTICS
- Internal and external logistics
- Travel management
- Procurement
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE
- Degree in Business Administration and Management, Economics or equivalent
- Significant (7+ years of experience in a similar position).
- Sound knowledge of general and cost accounting (regulations, processes and tools).
- Ability to foster and maintain an ‘efficiency culture’ within the Shared services team and the wider organisation.
- Alignment to Metropolis’ values: mission and people-oriented, empathetic.
- High level of attention to detail and strong organisational skills.
- Demonstrable qualities of flexibility, reliability and proactivity.
- Professional fluency in written and oral English and Spanish; Catalan preferable. French and other languages are considered a plus.
REQUIRED COMPETENCIES
- Results-oriented
- Cooperation (teamwork)
- Team management and motivation
- Leadership
- Ability to prioritise and plan effectively
- Strategic thinking
- Innovation and problem solving
- Financial strategy and budget monitoring
- Skilled general and cost accounting knowledge
- Resource design and organisations
APPOINTMENT TERMS
Location: Barcelona, Spain. Hybrid- 70% on site at the Secretariat General HQ.
Salary: €52,000 gross per annum.
Contract length: Open-ended (3-month trial period). Full time (37.5 hours/week to be worked flexibly).
Leave: 27 paid days leave per year.
Metropolis offers:
- Continuous learning and professional development opportunities.
- An opportunity to contribute to meaningful projects that address critical issues and promote positive change for women worldwide.
- An inclusive and supportive work environment with flexible work arrangements that allow for a healthy work-life balance.
HOW TO APPLY
Closing date: 21st December 2025
To apply please click ‘Apply Now’ above
Candidates are kindly asked to submit a CV of no more than four (04) pages and a cover letter, preferably in MS Word. All application documents (cover letter and CV) should be submitted in English.
Should you require access to information in a different format to facilitate your application please contact us via [email protected]
Please name your files as follows:
FirstName_Surname_CV_MET_HSS
FirstName_Surname_CL_MET_HSS
Red Sea takes our responsibility towards protecting your personal data very seriously. The data you provide is processed in line with relevant data protection legislation. For the purposes of this recruitment, and as defined under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), Red Sea is defined as the Data Controller.
Red Sea is committed to meeting the standards set out in our Equality and Diversity statement, acting in line with the UK Equalities Act 2010 and building an accurate picture of the make-up of the workforce in encouraging equality and diversity.
Metropolis is firmly committed to creating a workplace that values and embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion. It is an equal-opportunity employer and is firmly committed to providing a workplace free from discrimination and harassment.
