Function: Finance
Reports to: Head of Finance EWA
Location: Lagos, Nigeria
Terms & Conditions: Full time
At Unilever, everything we do is driven by purpose. This is an opportunity to help shape a better business and a better world through the impact of your work.
We’re looking for a Head of Commercial Finance, NG & EWA to lead financial strategy, governance, and performance delivery across one of Unilever’s most complex and dynamic markets. This role combines commercial finance leadership with full end‑to‑end finance accountability, ensuring sustainable growth, strong governance, and long-term value creation.
You’ll be part of a team that believes in doing work that truly matters — for people and the planet.
Key ResponsibilitiesCommercial Finance Leadership – Nigeria- Act as a strategic business partner to the Managing Director, jointly accountable for delivering in-year performance, profitable growth, value creation, and cash
- Lead the 3-year strategic and financial planning horizon, including strategic choices, resource allocation, and investment prioritisation
- Drive Integrated Business Planning (IBP) across Nigeria markets to align demand, supply, financial targets, and execution
- Own the S&OP cadence, business performance reviews, and monthly/quarterly rhythm within the market
- Partner cross-functionally (Sales, Business Operations, Marketing, HR) to deliver topline, margin, and cash performance
- Support the MD on high-sensitivity topics, including business cases, investment decisions, and strategic trade-offs
- Provide deep financial insight into a market with distinct regulatory, commercial, and operational dynamics
- Engage with customers and represent Finance in commercial and strategic forums
- Actively contribute as a member of the Nigeria Leadership Team, with strong linkage to regional and global finance leadership
- Lead and develop direct reports within Commercial Finance, building strong capability and performance culture
- Provide end-to-end finance leadership for Nigeria, ensuring integration across Commercial Finance, Supply Chain Finance, FET, Controllership, Tax, Treasury, and Shared Services
- Act as the “Face of Finance” for Nigeria, representing the function internally and externally
- Hold Statutory Director responsibility for Nigeria entities, ensuring fiduciary, governance, and legal compliance
- Own financial controls, reporting integrity, compliance, and risk management across the market
- Lead finance risk assessments and ensure mitigation actions are embedded in business execution
- Ensure statutory accounts, audits, tax filings, and regulatory submissions are delivered accurately and on time
- Act as primary interface with external stakeholders including auditors, banks, insurers, and advisors
- Ensure adherence to Unilever global finance policies, controls, and standards
- Strengthen finance talent capability, succession, and performance across the Nigeria organisation
- Act in the best interests of the company and all shareholders, beyond management priorities
- Exercise independent judgment in board-level decision-making, including in relation to executive leadership
- Demonstrate duty of care, diligence, skill, and good faith in all governance matters
- Ensure full transparency and avoidance of conflicts of interest in all decisions and actions
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field AND CPA
- Significant experience (10+ years) in Finance leadership roles, including Commercial Finance and business partnering
- Proven ability to operate at Executive / Leadership Team level
- Strong experience in emerging markets or complex, regulated environments
- Deep understanding of financial planning, governance, risk management, and compliance
- Demonstrated ability to influence and partner with senior stakeholders internally and externally
- Strong leadership capability with experience managing large, diverse finance teams
- Commercial acumen with ability to link strategy to financial outcomes and value creation
Why Join Unilever?
• Work for one of the world’s most purpose-led and trusted brands.
• Drive meaningful impact on business capability and performance.
• Be part of a supportive, culture driven environment that values people and growth.
• Enjoy opportunities for regional exposure and professional development.
Unilever is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! Thus if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field and CPA
- 10+ years in finance leadership roles, including commercial finance and business partnering
- Proven ability to operate at Executive / Leadership Team level
- Strong experience in emerging markets or complex, regulated environments
- Deep understanding of financial planning, governance, risk management, and compliance
- Demonstrated ability to influence and partner with senior internal and external stakeholders
- Experience managing large, diverse finance teams and building capability
- Commercial acumen linking strategy to financial outcomes and value creation
Unilever Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Unilever and has not been reviewed or approved by Unilever.
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Healthcare Strength — Healthcare coverage is described as comprehensive, spanning medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and occupational health support alongside a 24/7 employee assistance program. Wellbeing offerings such as health checks, resilience tools, and counseling support the perceived depth of health-related benefits.
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Retirement Support — Retirement support includes a 401(k) match that reaches up to 5% of base salary, strengthening the overall value of the package. Share and savings options are also referenced as part of longer-term financial support beyond salary.
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Flexible Benefits — Benefits customization is enabled through tools such as a “My Reward” system and a “Benefits Envelope” that allows employees to personalize selections. Flexible working approaches are also associated with improved overall satisfaction, reinforcing perceived choice and adaptability in the total rewards offering.
Unilever Insights
What We Do
Be part of the world’s most successful, purpose-led business. Work with brands that are well-loved around the world, that improve the lives of our consumers and the communities around us. We promote innovation, big and small, to make our business win and grow; and we believe in business as a force for good. Unleash your curiosity, challenge ideas and disrupt processes; use your energy to make this happen. Our brilliant business leaders and colleagues provide mentorship and inspiration, so you can be at your best. Our portfolio ranges from nutritionally balanced foods to indulgent ice creams, affordable soaps, luxurious shampoos and everyday household care products. We produce world-leading brands including Lipton, Knorr, Dove, Axe, Hellmann’s and Omo, alongside trusted local names and innovative-forward thinking brands like Ben & Jerry’s, The Dollar Shave Club and Dermalogica. Every individual here can bring their purpose to life through their work. Join us and you’ll be surrounded by inspiring leaders and supportive peers. Among them, you’ll channel your purpose, bring fresh ideas to the table, and simply be you. As you work to make a real impact on the business and the world, we’ll work to help you become a better you.
