Head Business Finance

The Head Business Finance serves as the lead finance business partner to assigned business portfolios, providing strategic financial advice, performance insights, and decision support to business leaders. The role is responsible for evaluating business opportunities, assessing the financial impact of key initiatives, supporting strategic decision-making, and driving sustainable business performance. It oversees financial planning, analysis, reporting, governance, compliance, and advanced analytics while acting as a key liaison between business functions and Corporate Finance. The role also leads and develops the Business Finance team and provides financial oversight on strategic projects and initiatives.

Responsibilities

Strategic Business Partnering

• Act as the lead finance business partner to assigned business functions, providing strategic financial advice and recommendations.
• Partner with business leaders to evaluate opportunities and assess financial implications of key initiatives.
• Support the achievement of strategic and operational business goals.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with business stakeholders to enhance financial accountability and decision-making.

Financial Planning and Performance Management

• Lead annual planning, budgeting, forecasting, and financial target-setting processes.
• Monitor business performance against approved plans and targets.
• Identify financial risks, opportunities, and corrective actions.
• Facilitate periodic business and financial performance reviews with senior stakeholders.

Financial Analysis and Reporting

• Deliver financial analysis, management reporting, and business insights.
• Assess business trends, issues, and opportunities using financial and operational data.
• Present financial findings, risks, opportunities, and recommendations to senior management.
• Drive the development and adoption of advanced financial analytics, dashboards, and performance reporting frameworks.

Strategic Projects and Investment Evaluation

• Support prioritization and evaluation of strategic initiatives, capital investments, and business cases.
• Provide financial oversight and advisory support for strategic projects.
• Monitor and report on the financial performance of major projects and initiatives.
• Ensure project risks are identified, assessed, and properly managed.

Governance, Compliance, and Risk Management

• Advise stakeholders on financial governance, compliance requirements, policies, and internal controls.
• Identify compliance gaps and recommend corrective actions.
• Ensure alignment with financial policies, reporting standards, governance requirements, and best practices through coordination with Corporate Finance.
• Support compliance with regulatory requirements and financial controls.

Leadership and People Management

• Lead, coach, and develop the Business Finance team.
• Foster a culture of high performance, continuous improvement, and strong business partnership.

HSE (Health, Safety & Environment) Responsibilities

• Collaborate with HSE and relevant teams to promote a safe and healthy workplace.
• Ensure team participation in HSE training and awareness programs.
• Encourage reporting of incidents, hazards, and unsafe conditions.
• Monitor closure of corrective actions and compliance with HSE and Quality requirements.

General

• Perform any other duties assigned by the Line Manager to achieve divisional objectives.

Requirements and Skills

Education & Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• Professional qualification such as CA, CPA, ACCA, CIMA, or CFA is preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of progressive experience in Business Finance, Commercial Finance, or Finance Business Partnering.
• Minimum 4-5 years of leadership or people management experience.
• Proven experience supporting senior business leaders and providing financial advice on strategic initiatives, investments, and business performance.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong understanding of financial and business analytics with the ability to convert complex data into actionable business insights.
• Ability to build trusted relationships with business leaders and influence decision-making.
• Strong financial assessment and business case evaluation skills.
• Ability to interpret complex financial and operational data, identify trends and risks, and provide practical recommendations.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to engage, challenge, and influence senior stakeholders effectively.
• Strong collaboration and relationship-building capabilities across business functions.
• Demonstrated experience in financial risk management and regulatory compliance.
• Leadership, coaching, and team development capabilities.