Head of Finance, Japan

Title                 Head of Finance, Japan

Department    Finance

Location          Tokyo

Reports To      CFO, Global Distribution and Client Propositions

Level                8

We’re proud to have been helping our clients build better financial futures for over 50 years. How have we achieved this? By working together - and supporting each other - all over the world. So, join our Business Finance team and feel like you’re part of something bigger.

About your role

The Head of Finance for Japan will partner with the Japan President and other senior leaders to provide strategic and financial insights, advice, and challenge. This role supports the CFO Global Distribution and Client Propositions in achieving the business's strategy and goals. The Head of Finance will be a key member of the Japan Operating Committee, developing a deep understanding of asset management, including sales, retention, product development, and financial drivers. This position involves building credibility through clear financial information, constructive challenge, and valued advice, ensuring robust financial analysis underpins strategic initiatives.

Key elements of the role include:

• Being a key member of the Japan Operating Committee ,business partnering with the key senior members of the Japan Management team.  This will involve the development of a broad understanding of the Fidelity business model and a deep understanding of all aspects of asset management, especially sales, retention, product & propositions development & management, including all financial drivers.

• As the representative of Finance for the Japan office, develop a model that utilises local and global financial support to suit the unique needs of the Japanese operating model

• Building credibility through the provision of clearly presented financial information, constructive challenge and valued advice, supporting the goal of delivering real value and influence over decision making within this critical part of the business.

• Bringing together the strategic initiatives of Japan and Global businesses, ensuring that they are founded in robust financial analysis.

• Delivery of business finance services to the business in Asia, including budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, management reporting, business case construction, pricing strategy, governance and support and expense & headcount scrutiny.

• Establish and maintain a robust working relationship with regulators and auditors, and develop a sustainable working framework with the financial control team

• Supporting the CFO, Global Distribution and Client Proposition, in building a cohesive, empowered and motivated Business Finance team.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide financial and strategic insight, guidance and challenge to stakeholders, supporting decision making and the achievement of Japan Distribution objectives and broader ISS strategy.

• Act as key point of contact / subject matter expert for strategic priorities and areas of focus

• Collaborate closely with Finance colleagues supporting Corporate Enablers, Investment and Operations to ensure decisions are joined up and in the wider interests of the ISS business and FIL. 

• Lead and develop the Japan finance team including Business Finance and Financial control both onshore and offshore

• Lead Japan team and take pivotal role in regulatory inspections, corporate initiatives and projects

• Manage a solid relationship with auditors and regulators

• Regularly brief board of directors with statutory financials and provide strategic advice

• Handle trouble shooting with local stakeholders and provide solutions from finance perspective

 Handle queries from other function, e.g. Compliance, from Japan regulation perspective

• Lead the identification of cost savings, efficiencies and productivity enhancing opportunities. 

• Assist in the development and maintenance of a sound financial control environment.

• Drive continuous improvement of regular MI, automating and standardising with wider group MI where possible. Participate in driving and embedding AI and data-driven solutions where relevant.

About you

• Experience of the asset management industry and knowledge of its financial and operational drivers.(Including Japan regulation and the accounting skills)

• Able to command respect from senior stakeholders and peers, comfortable playing a part in senior management discussions.

• Ability to lead, influence, challenge, advise and offer alternative perspectives or solutions.

• Accomplished communicator, able to present and articulate information concisely and with conviction.

• Capable of handling audits and inspections.

• Capable of identifying information requirements and reviewing, designing and improving reporting and other processes.

• Strong collaboration and team-working skills, ideally with experience of working in a matrix and international environment.

• Ability to develop and enhance the performance of team members.

• Able to multi-task and prioritise under pressure.

• High proficiency in business English

Feel rewarded

For starters, we’ll offer you a comprehensive benefits package. We’ll value your wellbeing and support your development. And we’ll be as flexible as we can about where and when you work – finding a balance that works for all of us. It’s all part of our commitment to making you feel motivated by the work you do and happy to be part of our team. For more about our work, our approach to dynamic working and how you could build your future here, visit careers.fidelityinternational.com.

For more about our work, our approach to dynamic working and how you could build your future here, visit careers.fidelityinternational.com.