At Gensler, we design for people. With a global network of more than 6,000 professionals across 56 locations, we bring together creativity, business insight, and technical expertise to shape the future of cities and communities.
Our people-centered, “People First” culture and “One Firm-Firm” philosophy fosters deep collaboration across disciplines and geographics, enabling us to deliver impactful, innovation solutions for our clients. In Asia Pacific Middle East (APME), we operate across major cities including Abu Dhabi, Bangalore, Bangkok, Delhi NCR, Dubai, Mumbai, Riyadh, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo.
Your Role
As Finance Director – India, you will lead financial strategy, operations, and performance management across Gensler’s India offices. You will act as a trusted strategic partner to regional and local leadership, driving profitability and business performance, strengthening financial discipline, and enabling sustainable growth in a dynamic, project-based environment.
The role offers a unique opportunity for a high-potential finance leader to expand beyond traditional finance into broader operational leadership within a leading global professional services firm.
What You Will Do
Strategic Business Partnership
- Serve as a strategic financial advisor to India leadership, including Office Managing Directors and Studio Leaders, driving decisions that maximize profitability while enabling sustainable growth and targeted investments
- Provide forward-looking financial insights, scenario analysis and performance diagnostics to optimize profitability and support growth
- Contribute to development and execution of India’s strategic plans, budgets and forecasting, and performance targets
- Partner with APME Regional Operating Officer on financial planning and business performance
Financial & Commercial Leadership
- Lead all aspects of financial management across India, including project accounting and revenue recognition, budgeting and forecasting, P&L and Balance Sheet oversight, cash flow and AR management
- Drive improvements in project profitability
- Provide commercial guidance on commercial terms and fee structures in contracts
- Ensure full compliance with India statutory, tax and regulatory requirements, as well as firm policies and procedures
Performance Management & Operational Excellence
- Monitor key financial and operational metrics across offices and studios
- Drive operational consistency, financial discipline and process standardization
- Identify and execute continuous process improvement initiatives across finance operations
- Support execution of firmwide systems, tools, and operational initiatives
Leadership & Team Development
- Lead, develop and mentor the India finance team, including Accounting Manager and Project Accountants
- Build a high-performing, accountable, collaborative and inclusive team culture
- Strengthen finance capabilities in project accounting, analytics, and business partnering
- Coach non-financial leaders on financial management and commercial acumen and profitability drivers
- Partner cross-functionally with HR, IT, facilities, marketing and design technology teams
Regional & Global Engagement
- Build strong relationships across APME and global finance communities
- Participate actively in regional and global initiatives
- Develop best practices and lead knowledge sharing
Your Qualifications
Required
- 15+ years of progressive finance leadership experience, preferably within a global or multi-office professional services firm
- Proven experience leading finance operations across multiple locations in India
- Deep understanding of India business environment, including regulatory, labor, tax, compliance, risk, and operational complexity
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate and influence senior stakeholders and drive business outcomes
- Experience managing complexity, ambiguity, and growth environments
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills
- Willingness and ability to travel for business within India, and across Asia Pacific
- Uncompromising standards of ethics, professionalism and integrity
Preferred
- Chartered Accountant (CA) strongly preferred
- Proficiency in data analytics and enterprise systems, including financial reporting, project accounting, and resource planning tools (e.g. Deltek VantagePoint, Excel, Power BI or equivalent platforms)
Life at Gensler
At Gensler, we are as committed to enjoying life as we are to delivering best-in-class design. From curated art exhibits to internal design competitions to “Well-being Week,” our offices reflect our people’s diverse interests. We encourage every person at Gensler to lead a healthy and balanced life.
Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability, wellness programs, paid holidays, and paid time off. We also offer global profit sharing program and twice annual bonus opportunities. Our annual base salary range has been established based on local markets.
As part of the firm’s commitment to licensure and professional development, Gensler offers reimbursement for certain professional licenses, associated renewals and exam fees. In addition, we reimburse tuition for certain eligible programs or classes. We view our professional development programs as strategic investments in our future.
Skills Required
- 15+ years of progressive finance leadership experience, preferably within a global or multi-office professional services firm
- Proven experience leading finance operations across multiple locations in India
- Deep understanding of India regulatory, labor, tax, compliance, risk, and operational environment
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate with and influence senior stakeholders to drive business outcomes
- Experience managing complexity, ambiguity, and growth environments
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills
- Willingness and ability to travel for business within India and across Asia Pacific
- Uncompromising standards of ethics, professionalism and integrity
- Chartered Accountant (CA)
- Proficiency in data analytics and enterprise systems, including financial reporting, project accounting, and resource planning tools (e.g., Deltek VantagePoint, Excel, Power BI)
Gensler Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Gensler and has not been reviewed or approved by Gensler.
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Strong & Reliable Incentives — Incentive programs include twice‑yearly bonuses and profit sharing that are positioned as meaningful parts of total compensation. Employee ownership elements can reward longer tenure and contribute to overall earnings beyond base pay.
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Equity Value & Accessibility — Employee stock ownership and stock appreciation programs provide wealth‑building avenues beyond salary. These equity mechanisms are highlighted as part of the standard package.
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Healthcare Strength — Core coverage spans medical, dental, and vision alongside life and disability, EAP/mental‑health resources, and wellness programs. Benefits breadth is described as solid within the industry context.
Gensler Insights
What We Do
Gensler is a global architecture, design, and planning firm with 53 locations and more than 6,000+ professionals networked across the Americas, Europe, Greater China, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East. Founded in 1965, the firm works globally with more than 4,000 clients across more than 33 practice areas spanning the work, lifestyle, community, and health sectors. Everything we do is guided by our mission: To create a better world through the power of design. We believe the power of design can spark positive change and create a future that promotes equity, resilience, and wellbeing for everyone. Gensler was named one of Glassdoor’s Best Places to Work in 2020, 2019, 2017 and 2016, and our award-winning culture has been recognized by Fast Company as one of the 100 Best Workplaces for Innovators in 2021. Our people-first philosophy is centered on the core ideas of diversity empowerment, impact, community, respect, and growth. You can learn more about our commitment to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace at https://www.gensler.com/careers#diversity.
