R and DA Automation Lead

At EY, you’ll have the chance to build a career as unique as you are, with the global scale, support, inclusive culture and technology to become the best version of you. And we’re counting on your unique voice and perspective to help EY become even better, too. Join us and build an exceptional experience for yourself, and a better working world for all.

JOB DESCRIPTION   R&DA Automation Lead Automation | Innovation | Standardisation | Process Efficiency   Role purpose Lead the R&DA automation, innovation and standardisation agenda by identifying, prioritising and delivering scalable solutions that reduce manual effort, simplify processes, improve quality and controls, accelerate reporting cycles and strengthen the stakeholder experience.   R&DA Automation Lead

Function  - Reporting & Data Analytics (R&DA) Focus  - Automation, innovation, standardisation and process efficiency Role type - Transformation, solution delivery and change leadership

The opportunity The R&DA Automation Lead will shape and execute a function-wide agenda for automation, innovation, standardisation and process efficiency across reporting, analytics and related finance processes. The role will connect business priorities with technology capabilities, convert opportunities into governed delivery plans and ensure that solutions deliver measurable and sustainable outcomes. The role is intentionally broad and is not tied to a single programme. It covers the full improvement lifecycle, from opportunity discovery and process simplification through solution design, testing, deployment, adoption and benefits realisation.   Primary objectives

Reduce manual and non-value-adding work through automation and AI-enabled solutions. Establish common process, data, reporting, documentation and control standards before technology is applied. Build a prioritised, transparent and value-led automation pipeline. Improve turnaround time, accuracy, consistency, controls and scalability. Encourage experimentation, reuse and responsible adoption of emerging capabilities. Create sustainable ownership through documentation, training, support models and continuous improvement.

Key responsibilities Automation, standardisation and portfolio leadership

Define and maintain the R&DA automation, innovation, standardisation and process-efficiency roadmap. Translate business and transformation priorities into a sequenced portfolio of initiatives. Establish intake, assessment and prioritisation criteria covering value, feasibility, complexity, risk, control impact and scalability. Balance quick wins with strategic, reusable capabilities and longer-term platform opportunities. Maintain visibility of pipeline, delivery status, dependencies, decisions, benefits and next-wave opportunities.

Opportunity discovery and process efficiency

Lead discovery sessions with process owners, report owners, SMEs, technology teams and stakeholders. Build fact-based baselines covering volumes, effort, cycle time, frequency, manual touchpoints, exceptions, rework, quality issues and controls. Map current processes and identify bottlenecks, duplication, low-value activities and unnecessary hand-offs. Challenge processes constructively and simplify, standardise or rationalise them before automating. Identify opportunities for report consolidation, decommissioning, self-service, re-platforming and improved operating models.

Standardisation and scalable operating practices

Define and maintain common standards for processes, report structures, naming conventions, templates, business rules, controls, documentation and repositories. Identify variations across teams and regions, distinguish justified local requirements from avoidable complexity and drive alignment to agreed standards. Create reusable process patterns, automation components, parameter libraries, validation rules, exception categories and support artefacts. Establish design