Head of Commercial Finance

THE CLIENT:

Our client is a MNC in the Professional Services / Legal industry, one of the top 3 in their field of work. FCSearch have been given the mandate to recruit a Senior role for a limited contract position (12 months min.) for the Client's Commercial Finance team. This is an excellent opportunity for someone from a similar MNC background to join a company in rapid growth with an excellent, international working culture in a leadership position.

ROLE SUMMARY:

As Commercial Finance Senior Manager, you will manage a team of 10 (senior and mid-level in commercial finance) and have the responsibility for the Client's Commercial Analyst Team, including planning, forecasting and all aspects of the Lead to Invoicing workflow. The Commercial Finance Senior Manager is able to recognize issues and risks to the system and is able to effectively raise and explain these issues and concerns with the office leadership in a manner that facilitates decision making.

CANDIDATES MUST HAVE:

University degree in a relevant field and / or finance qualification (MBA preferred)

Experience in leading sizeable (7+) teams in large, multinational companies in Commercial Finance

Min. of 12 years of relevant experience in Commercial Finance / FP&A

Strong commercial acumen, ability to influence senior stakeholders and ability to manage, lead and mentor a large team

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide Finance commercial support through the team of Lead Commercial Analysts to the stakeholders (guided by the Commercial Finance Director), ensuring early detection of issues and an efficient process.

Manage the day-to-day activities of team members, ensuring team alignment to common team objectives and goals, while implementing processes for effective team collaboration and communication

Guide the business on large complex RfPs and in pricing working with Commercial Directors and Legal and ensuring appropriate investment approvals are in place

Oversee team financial control and analysis of client cases, taking timely corrective measures on absorptions, provisions and reserves where needed to ensure revenue recognition is appropriate and results effectively communicated to and understood by Leadership

Owns system WIP/AR weekly reporting, driving best practices in contracting, and invoicing processes to decrease DSO, maximize cash balances and improve price realization. Review pricing trends and leakages e.g. expense, making recommendations on ways to improve profitability by:

Manage the coordination of the annual revenue credit process with the Group

Drive and communicate DSO programmatic actions, escalating and resolving as needed - Embed risk management in commercial finance, ensuring adequate controls and compliance with the Client's policies and local regulatory requirements

Support the annual audit process and internal risk reviews

Mentor and coach team members, actively seeking opportunities to further develop skills and providing feedback on performance

Advance the professional development of team members, through training curriculum, internal projects and team building activities

Proactively identify and address areas for improvement to the local commercial processes to gain efficiencies, which is inclusive of, but not limited to assisting with local development and implementation of financial applications

Report to ME leadership on exposure and risk status of all cases monthly

Liaise with the internal and external audit teams

Oversee implementation of various ongoing projects within commercial finance

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS:

University degree required, Accounting or Finance Qualification/MBA preferred

Supervisory or management experience in multinational environments with the ability to lead a wide range of people preferred

Strong commercial acumen

Strong interpersonal and communication skills

Strong organization skills, orientation to detail and initiative

Proficiency to work with systems and willingness to learn more as require