Job Purpose

The Finance Lead is responsible for driving sustainable financial growth by owning the financial strategy, financial controls, and management information for the assigned contract(s). This role provides insight, financial leadership, and influence to support operational performance and maintain competitive advantage. It requires strong analytical capability, proactive problem-solving, and the ability to guide and elevate performance standards through both direct and indirect team management.

Key Responsibilities

Customer & Stakeholder Management

·     Developing high quality and effective Client relationships especially across the contract(s).

·     Build good working relationship with account management team and key client’s members and be a business partner for both.

·     Liaising with the CBRE Finance, Controllership, BSO or FP&A team to fulfill any ad hoc information requests.

·     Work collaboratively with BU F&CSM and People Team on the bonus and annual salary review process.

·     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. 

·     Assist with client team requests in a timely and accurate manner.

·     Support any CBRE 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.

Financial Reporting

·     Participate in monthly formal Contract and Project reviews. Ensure use of best practice, communication and understanding of key business messages through monthly site visits with focus on underperforming contracts and projects.

·     Prepare accurate Contract reports in line with monthly company timetable including full Profit & Loss account with analysis and commentary, Balance Sheet extracts and reconciliations, detailed Project Profitability reporting, Profit & Loss forecasts and annual plans.

·     Support BU F&CSM in preparing Business Unit reports and commentary.

·     Use PowerBI to provide best in class Management Information to both Client and CBRE management.

·     Provide ad-hoc support and financial analysis as required.

·     Align with BU F&CSM to meet key Business Unit deadlines.

Contract & Finance Management

·     Continually review, maintain and improve cash-flow, margins and reporting. Develop targets and benchmarking processes to challenge the financial information. 

·     Drive high quality financial / commercial performance through understanding the contractual commitments on all 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 CBRE financial savings targets are maximized.

·     Review Client P&L results and challenge. 

·     Active management of overheads whilst seeking out areas for efficiencies for savings.

·     Build and develop high level relationships with business and account leaders, customers, BSO, Controllership 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

·     Ensure company policies and procedures are adhered to consistently throughout the Contract(s).

·     Ensure compliance with all SOX controls and US GAAP accounting.

·     Manage the integrity of data in CBRE ERP systems.

·     Drive efficiency and best practice through the best use of CBRE system generated reports.

·     Continually drive best practice to maximize the efficiency benefits of CBRE ERP’s and systems, eliminating all manual processes, journals and reporting. 

·     Ensure the accuracy and integrity of accounting records and financial systems, identify opportunities to enhance system efficiencies

·       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.

Financial Planning

·     Assisting in the preparation of annual Plan for and monitoring the forecast through the year.

·     Assist BU F&CSM in preparing budgeting & forecasting analysis and correlation to actual performance.

·     Challenge the contract(s) when performance trending off track, identifying opportunities and risks to results.

·     Ensure balance sheet and cash flow Plans are prepared.

Financial Governance

·       Ensure CBRE and statutory obligations are met for reporting and governance purposes. 

·     Responsibility for ensuring the integrity of the Balance Sheet. 

·     Ensure quarterly balance sheet reconciliations are carried out and reviewed

People Management

·       Recruit, induct, manage, target, motive and develop the team.

·       Carry out structured appraisals and ensure personal development plans are in place and include succession plans.

·       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 annual financial plan.
• Achievement of contract KPIs.

Person Specification

Education & Qualifications

• Essential: Chartered Accountant qualification or equivalent.
• Desirable: Degree or higher education qualification.

Skills

·       Highly computer literate

·       Ability to combine strategic vision with hands-on, pragmatic delivery.

·       IT Skills to achieve key tasks and 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 is an advantage

Knowledge

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

Experience

• Essential: Multinational experience with team management.
• Desirable: Service industry background, experience with GMP/Cost-plus/Fixed-price models, acquisition integration.

Aptitude

• Strong influencing and leadership skills.
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, organised.
• Strong decision-making under pressure.
• Committed to customer service delivery
• Calm manner, able to work under pressure and with changing demands and priorities

Circumstances

·       Willingness to travel as required.

Core Competencies

• Collaborates across the organisation
• Build talent & lead teams
• Results-driven
• Strategic planning
• Effective communication