Finance Director

Job description / Role

Reporting to : Managing Director

Division / Function: Finance

Key purpose
The Finance Director has overall responsibility for the financial and commercial activities of a business group. This includes ensuring timely and accurate records of financial data , provide financial management information to Senior Management, to set budgets and forecasts for the performance of the Business Stream and ensure all matters contractual and commercial of the Business stream are addressed and concluded. This includes ensuring all appropriate activity in line with the FOM, is undertaken by the shared service Center.

Reason for role
New contract.

Structure and reporting relationship
This role sits with the Finance Team, reporting to Managing Director…

Key accountabilities

Customers
• Operational Excellence
• Building sound working relationships with the business group's operational team, by undertaking the role of business partner
• Building sound working relationships with the business group's SSC finance lead.
• Responsibility for the reporting and analysis of activities that cross the business group.
• Preparing a high level timetable to ensure the business group is able to meet the reporting deadlines set by the division.
• Leading commercial negotiations from a finance perspective with the customers (bids and re-bids).
• Assigning support for any new contracts won or acquired including any transitional support.
• Being the contact point for all external and internal audit matters for the business group.
• Responsibility for ensuring any statutory accounts within the business group are prepared and completed within the correct timescales.
• Undertaking ad-hoc projects within the business group as required.
• Supporting business projects.
• Training and developing business group finance staff.
• Recruiting business group finance staff as required (with approval by business management).
• Attending relevant contract management team meetings and finance team meetings.
• Being an escalation point for SSC issues

People and Culture
• Being the senior finance contact point for any contract queries that require resolution. Travelling to contract sites, as required

Financial
• Responsibility for the finance and commercial activities undertaken across the business group, including:
• Reporting month end results and commentary.
• Plans, budgets and forecasts.
• Interpreting results into initiatives and plans to improve future results.
• Analysis to drive cost efficiencies and revenue generation.
• Analysis to support the business group in all decisions.
• Bespoke reports for customer or regulatory requirements.
• Ensuring all balance sheet risks and opportunities are known
• Proposing judgmental adjustments.
• Approving SAP changes per the Delegated Authorities Matrix (DAM).

HSQE
• To be aware of, and play an active role in the development of the Integrated Management System and the content of the Health, Safety, Quality & Environment and Information Security Policy Statements, to implement these within their area of responsibility
• Understanding of personal responsibilities and contribution to achieving compliance with the Integrated Management System requirements, (including but not limited to competence to perform safety critical roles, legal requirements, control measures arisen from environmental impacts and aspects, job safety analysis and information security risk assessment) and the potential consequences of departure from the arrangements in place to deliver the commitments stated in the policies statements above
• To exercise a personal duty of care for their own health, safety and welfare and for those affected by their acts or omissions
• To use safety equipment (including PPE) as required and intended and observe that this is also enforced within their departments and among subcontractors and third parties working in Serco's controlled premises/systems
• Promote a good HSQE and Information Security culture within their departments and among their peers, subcontractors and third parties
• Lead by example and actively encourage their departments to look at ways to conserve energy, water and resources and minimise the generation of waste through personal performance and raise recommendations on how to improve existing processes on this regard within/outside their departments through their Line Manager, Departmental Safety Meetings and any other appropriate available channels
• Protect information assets and data including both electronic and paper based from all threats whether internal, external, deliberate or accidental
• Promote a good HSQE and Information Security culture among their peers, subcontractors and third parties
• Conduct regular reviews on the HSQE and Information Security Performance within their departments and seek ways to continually improve

Requirements

• Knowledge of finance, accounting, budgeting, and cost control principles.
• Qualified Accountant to an internationally recognized standard;
• Up to date knowledge of the international accounting standards and with Serco applied best practice
• Knowledge of the Serco Management System and the Governance and delegated authority matrix

Essential technical and professional skills and knowledge
• Management skills
• Highly technically and practically competent in Accounting
• Ability to negotiate and persuade at highest levels.
• Strong client management skills.
• Evidence of successfully contributing to and implementing strategies and plans.
• Strong communication skills in all forms including written, oral, email, telephone, and presentation
• Ability to cope with competing demands and to prioritise tasks
• A positive attitude to dealing with people
• Capable of working independently, and having responsibility as an individual
• A mature, proactive and responsible approach to work with initiative and problem solving capability.
• Ability to understand complex systems and possess good IT skills.
• Flexibility, excellent attention to detail, ability to identify key issues and manage an environment of regular change
• Ability to think strategically, execute quickly and adjust plans to meet organizational needs.
• Ability to hold sensitive and confidential materials in strict confidence.
• Function as a resourceful and proactive team member.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and multi-task and meet deadlines and schedules under high pressure environment.
• Strong analytical skills; ability to work with complex issues and detailed information.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross functional teams.
• Good judgment and decision-making skills.
• Adapt well to changing priorities.
• An assertive completer finisher with high level of personal presence and credibility.
• Ability to influence senior management and establish and maintain collaborative partnerships.
• In-depth ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative
• Solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems

Essential experiences
• Minimum 15 years finance manager experience.
• Proven track in managing a finance team and elivering accurate and timely data.
• Contractual and commercial experience in dealing with Clients and suppliers to obtain the most favourable terms

Additional dimensions, KPIs or special features of the role

Scope and Complexity
• Manager that provides a professional service to the organisation.
• Typically working across a large, complex and Diverse Business Unit/Division of Serco
• Typically has few direct reports

About the Company

Serco is a FTSE 250 international service company which combines commercial know-how with a deep public service ethos.

Serco customers are looking for expertise in managing their people, processes, technology and assets more effectively. We advise economic decision makers, design innovative solutions, integrate systems and - most of all - deliver quality services directly to the public.

Serco supplies to governments, government enterprise, agencies and companies who seek a trusted outsourcing partner with a solid track-record of service excellence. Serco people offer operational, logistical and technical expertise in the Transport, Justice and Immigration, Defence, Education and Healthcare industries as well as in the commercial sectors of Facilities Management.

Serco Middle East have been in the Region since 1947, starting out delivering Air Traffic Control Services in Bahrain; a service we are proudly still running today and have expanded to include many other Airports in the region.

We have expanded significantly since that time across the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. We have been supporting the RTA to operate the Dubai Metro since 2009, are preparing to launch the flagship Saudi Arabia Passenger Rail service from Riyadh to Qassim in 2016. We deliver Facility Management services to both Cleveland Clinic and Healthpoint Hospitals in Abu Dhabi, large-scale medical facilities in Saudi Arabia and a range of educational and commercial properties in the UAE. We also deliver postgraduate education to Officers in the Qatar Armed Forces through the Joaan Bin Jassim Joint Command and Staff College in Doha.

Focusing on our core values, and creating a positive environment for employees to thrive, we look forward to a bright future as we continue to grow with the region.