Associate Director - Group Finance

The Associate Director - Group Finance is a senior leadership position responsible for the leadership of the Group finance function and the delivery of the internal and external financial reporting obligations of a leading property developer in London. This is a key role which requires strong accounting technical expertise, a collaborative working style, and the ability to provide accounting guidance and support across the business.

The individual in this role will be responsible for ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting to various stakeholders, managing external audits, while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and providing accounting expertise on strategic projects. In addition, the role will be responsible for leading the design, implementation, and monitoring of internal controls across the finance function.

What you'll do:

1. Oversee a diverse team of approximately 15 people (4 direct reports), providing guidance, mentorship, and support to ensure the delivery of accurate and timely financial reporting.
2. Develop and implement financial policies and procedures to support the overall goals and objectives of the Group.
3. Lead the Group finance team on the preparation of the consolidated financial statements, ensuring compliance with relevant accounting standards (e.g., IFRS) and regulatory requirements.
4. Lead an internal controls team to design, implement, and monitor the Group's internal controls across the finance function.
5. Ensure accurate and timely internal and external financial reporting, specifically quarterly shareholder reporting, and half-year and annual bondholder reporting. Drive improvements in the efficiency of the financial close process.
6. Provide technical accounting expertise and guidance and support to the business on complex accounting issues that arise from transaction/investment activities, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and best practices.
7. Stay updated with Real Estate industry trends and economic developments and monitor changes in accounting regulations and standards, assess their impact on financial reporting, and implement necessary changes.
8. Draft accounting papers supporting the Group's approach for key estimates and judgments and proactively engage with the external auditors where appropriate to ensure timely resolution of issues. Draft Audit Committee reporting on relevant topics as the need arises.
9. Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders, including the commercial and business segment finance teams, legal, and tax departments, to ensure alignment and collaboration on reporting matters.
10. Manage the internal and external audit process and coordinate with auditors to ensure a smooth and efficient audit of the Group's consolidated accounts and resolution of internal audit actions.
11. Lead and manage the Group finance team, providing guidance, training, and performance evaluations to ensure a high level of engagement, development, and quality of delivery.

What you bring:

1. Accountant (ACA/ACCA) with significant (+7 years) post experience. Proven experience (minimum 4 years) of industry experience in finance leadership roles, preferably in a group-level finance function.
2. Experience in leading the financial close for complex Groups and implementing change to improve the efficiency of the close process.
3. Proven ability to implement improvements to internal controls and processes including through the use of technology solutions. Experience of Sox controls and working with internal audit would be an advantage.
4. Strong knowledge of financial accounting principles, financial analysis techniques, and financial reporting standards. A strong understanding of treasury (debt and financial instrument) accounting is essential.
5. Proven ability in managing the external and internal audit relationships and in driving an improved audit process.
6. A track record of leading and developing a finance team, with excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
7. Proficiency in using financial software and ERP systems. Experience with Yardi would be a significant advantage but not essential.
8. Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make data-driven decisions and prioritize tasks effectively.
9. Strong understanding of regulatory requirements and compliance standards and experience of writing the front half of financial statements including sustainability and risk reporting narrative disclosures.

Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates.