Senior Finance Manager - Data Centre Solutions

Job description

Job Title: Senior Finance Manager

Business Sector: Data Centre Solutions

Location: London, UK

Reporting to: Divisional Finance Director

COMPANY PROFILE

CBRE is the global leader in real estate services and leverages the industry's most powerful knowledge base to meet the commercial real estate needs of its clients worldwide. Our vision is to be the preeminent, vertically integrated, globally capable real estate service firm. Globally, we employ over 70,000 employees and operate in 48 countries.

Purpose of the Job

The key responsibility of the position is to provide excellent financial support to the Divisional Finance Director and Global Finance Lead for CBRE Client, along with the Global Account Director and lead the Account finance team for CBRE Client. The role requires exceptional client-facing skills and demonstration of quality GWS Internal Financial analysis and timely reporting.

Additionally, this role will work in close liaison with the key departments within GWS and the Client organisation, to provide, implement and develop the best-in-class information. Delivering all of this within the contractual requirements and deadlines will be a key deliverable of the role.

Key Tasks:

Customer

• Developing high quality and effective Client relationships.
• Build good working relationship with Account Director, Snr Leadership & Client Teams, be a key strategic partner for both.
• Liaising with the CBRE DCS Finance or GWS DCS FP&A team to fulfill any ad hoc information requests.
• Tightly manage contract governance, demonstrating an in-depth knowledge of the terms and conditions of the contract to ensure that all cost elements are appropriately accounted for.
• Manage annual Client and GWS external as well as internal audits and ensure high quality audit responses.
• Assist with client team requests in a timely and accurate manner.
• Support any GWS transformation and client initiatives, working closely with other functions to ensure full alignment of deliverables and results.
• Positively respond to both our internal and external customers (often in a matrix environment) through effective communication and personal accessibility/credibility.
• Support New Business Opportunities with pricing, client needs and commercial guidance.

Financial Reporting

• Deliver GWS and Client monthly actuals, budgets and forecasts.
• Provide best in class Management Information to both Client and GWS management to include Actuals v Budget.
• Provide ad-hoc support and financial analysis as required.
• Drive month end close timetable to meet Group reporting requirements, ensuring this is communicated to all stakeholders, including Shared Service Centre (SSC).

Finance Leadership

• Drive high quality financial / commercial performance through understanding the contractual commitments on service lines and ensure is aligned and consistent with global contract management practices.
• Identify and help drive implementation of savings opportunities to ensure Client and GWS financial savings targets are maximized.
• Ensure your country Finance leads take responsibility for GWS Balance Sheet governance and account reconciliations together with full compliance with SOX control requirements within GWS.
• Review Client P&L results and challenge.
• Active management of overheads for business whilst seeking out areas for efficiencies for savings.
• Build and develop high level relationships with business and account leaders, customers and external agencies (e.g. auditors).
• Constantly improve quality, service and efficiency.
• Communicate regularly with contract financial and contract support staff to ensure they are fully informed of operational objectives and achievements.
• Identify, analyse and resolve potential business risks, as well as opportunities and solutions to enhance business performance.

Finance Processes, Procedures and Reporting

• Ensure full substantiation of all accruals, in line with GWS policy.
• Manage the integrity of data in Client reporting and GWS systems.
• Develop an understanding of how to best utilize GWS system-generated reporting capabilities.
• Continually develop systems to maximize efficiency benefits for client & GWS.
• Ensure the accuracy and integrity of accounting records and financial systems, identify opportunities to enhance system efficiencies
• Ensure adherence to processes for reconciling Intercompany balances monthly. Ensure that these are reported to and agreed to HFM.
• Have thorough knowledge of procedures and processes and lead the delivery of these to the required standard.
• Manage compliance through the required procedures and processes.

Finance Planning

• Drive the client annual budget cycle by site showing understanding of key cost drivers and Single Point of Contact for all budget communications.
• Assisting in the preparation of annual bottom up Plan for and monitoring the forecast through the year.
• Ensure balance sheet and cash flow Plans are prepared.

Financial Governance

• Ensure CBRE & country statutory obligations are met for reporting and governance purposes.
• Responsibility for ensuring the integrity of the Balance Sheet and Balance Sheet Commentary.
• Ensure monthly balance sheet reconciliations are carried out and reviewed for
• Driving and agreeing any financial policy requirements with the Regional Financial Director.

People Management

• Line Management responsibility for 5 finance support team across all countries, ensuring high quality finance team and succession planning in place.
• Build, lead and motivate a diverse and effective team. Empower team members to take responsibility and accountability.
• Supervise and review performance of individuals in the team.
• Convey messages and ideas clearly and openly. Involve people and influence decisions.

Success Measures

• Success in this role will be measured through defined targets as follows:
• Achievement of Business Unit / Contract KPIs in line with business requirements

Education

• Hold a Chartered Accountant qualification (or equivalent)
• Higher educational qualifications to 'A' level or degree (or equivalent)

Skills

• Highly computer literate
• Ability to combine strategic vision with hands-on, pragmatic delivery.
• IT Skills to lead, process and reporting developments to achieve key tasks, and to give the business a sound reporting base
• Superior written and verbal communication skills with strong oral presentation skills
• Capable of working in a matrix environment
• Formal training in the use of Excel Word and presentation software packages

Knowledge

• Understands the requirements of operating in a cross border multiservice line environment.

Experience

• Worked in a complex multinational with hands on experience of managing teams in continental Europe
• Track record of achieving results through others.
• Proven commercial acumen and ability to contribute to decision-making.
• Management skills to maximise the performance of staff working directly for them and others
• Previous experience of a service industry role using operating systems such as Dynamics AX.
• Dealt with GMP, Cost plus and Fixed price commercial models
• Involved in acquisitions, including the integration of new businesses

Aptitude

• Ability to shape, lead and influence other senior managers
• Well developed, effective communication skills enabling the individual to work with Board Members, clients, suppliers, and staff at all levels and of all abilities
• Self-motivated and ambitious
• Results/ task orientated, with attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent time management and organisational skills
• Commitment to continuous improvement
• Ability to work as part of a team, as well as independently
• Committed to customer service delivery
• Able to make sound decisions when needed and take accountability for outcomes
• Calm manner, able to work under pressure and with changing demands and priorities
• Confidential and discrete approach

Circumstances

• The individual must be willing to undertake travel as the role/business requires

Core Competencies

• Managed and Develops Self and Others
• Collaborates Across Boundaries
• Commercial Excellence
• Communication
• Integrity

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

We are an equal opportunities employer and do not discriminate on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability or age.