Head of Finance

Role Objective 

The Head of Finance role leads the Division’s finance business partnering, budgeting, forecasting, transaction and reporting services. The role is responsible for providing financial objectivity, challenge and insight across the business to support effective decision making that drives business performance and the achievement of the Division’s financial and strategic objectives. As a key member of the senior team, the role will contribute effectively to the successful delivery of the overall Divisional strategy, while acting as a strong visible role model for the Group’s values

Responsibilities 

Finance Business Partnering, Planning and Analysis

• Lead the annual business planning and budgeting process by working closely with teams across the Forest division to develop robust financial projections that are aligned to the achievement of the Division’s Strategy

• Manage the financial forecasting and quarterly business review process for the Division

• Collaborate closely with the business to identify and implement simplification and value-add activities within the finance team in order to drive improved business performance

• Provide financial evaluation, financial modelling, analysis expertise and strategic business advice in relation to capital investments, projects, and other operational expenditure to support effective decision making

• Proactively contribute to the successful implementation of the Division’s strategy across all areas of the business, challenging assumptions and decision making as appropriate and providing financial analysis and guidance on all activities, plans, targets and business drivers

• Develop and report on effective KPIs measures that support the Division’s strategy

Accounting, Financial Systems and Financial Controls

• Manage the financial system to support the needs of the business whilst ensuring maximum productivity and full compliance with statutory requirements

• Manage transaction services (accounts payable, accounts receivable, contract management) ensuring efficient processes, systems and controls

• Develop and monitor internal audit checks to ensure that finance and operational controls and policies are complied with across the Division

• Manage the capital assets of the Division to ensure they are properly recorded, protected and amortised

Financial & Management Reporting

• Develop and maintain timely and accurate financial statements and management reports that assist decision making and are in line with adopted accounting policies

• Create regular reporting and analysis, including variance analysis and key metric reports, that demonstrate an understanding of key drivers and inform operational and strategic decision making

• Agree the format and timeframes for Divisional reporting to the Centre and ensure compliance with same

People Leadership, Organisation and Culture

• Provide strong leadership and direction to the finance team and create a high performance team culture, that reflects our values, through empowering, developing and coaching team members

• Promote a culture of strong collaboration and business partnering with the Division, developing commercial and financial acumen across the business to enhance the overall performance of the Division

• Develop and enhance the working relationships with the Group and Divisional finance teams to ensure that the requirements of both the Group and Divisions are fully met

• Promote an attitude of simplification to reduce complexity and allow our people to do their best work

• Build a strong external network with key financial, government, industry and customer players to best represent the interests of the business

• As a member of the wider Forest leadership team, contribute effectively to the leadership of the Division and the successful delivery of the Division’s strategy

* Act as a visible role model for the Group’s values

Behavioural Competencies

• People Leadership: Understanding the importance of managing and developing people; creating a collaborate culture and a climate in which people can do their best

• Strategic Agility: The capacity to think big picture and be future oriented when driving the execution of the strategy * Drive for Results: The drive to exceed goals and push self and others towards high levels of performance

• Managing Business Process/Execution Excellence: The capacity to reduce complexity and increase efficiency in business processes to maximise the outcome/return

• Communication: Excellent communication and inter-personal skills to proactively develop and manage internal relationships across the organisation

• External Focus: Knowledge and insight of end markets and customers, of changing regulatory and financial environment and shareholders representatives in order to deliver on expectations and requirements

• Delegation and Decision-making: The capacity to make good decisions and delegate responsibility and accountability to the appropriate level

• Managing Change and Ambiguity: Openness to change and the capacity to deal comfortably with risk and uncertainty

Desired Technical/Professional Competencies

* Education: Professionally qualified accountant with experience in a Financial Management role.

* Commercial and Financial Acumen: Deep knowledge to manage top‐line and bottom-line financials to maintain profitability and value of the estate and assets

• Accounting and Regulatory Compliance: Knowledge and experience of the financial and regulatory environment to ensure compliance with all requirements