Location: Mumbai
Reports To: Global CFO
Direct Working Relationships: Managing Director (India) & Local Executive Leadership Team
The RoleWe are seeking an accomplished Finance Director to lead our Finance function in India. The Finance Director will be a driving force in ensuring that financial and commercial considerations are at the heart of the business's strategy, decision-making, and execution across the region.
This position is responsible for providing leadership and overseeing strategic direction, day-to-day operations, and continual enhancements across a broad spectrum of activities-including financial business partnering, financial planning & analysis (FP&A), controlling, tax, compliance, and magazine print production operations.
The role requires an individual who is both strategic and pragmatic: a leader who can develop and implement progressive ideas to transform and grow the business while maintaining an efficient, highly compliant financial operation. You must be an expert finance operative and a business partner capable of navigating change successfully within a complex global matrix organization.
Leveraging technology, rigor, and a natural drive for operational excellence, you will continuously improve the Finance function to elevate overall business performance.
Key Duties & Responsibilities1. Financial Business Partnering & Global Connectivity
Act as a strategic business partner to the India Managing Director and executive leadership team.
Lead the local execution of global financial strategies, goals, procedures, and initiatives.
Identify, evaluate, structure, and drive new revenue, profit, and cash flow opportunities.
Bridge local operations with the global operating model and Corporate HQ, ensuring unified reporting standards, strategic alignment, and seamless cross-functional collaboration.
Leverage global shared service hubs (such as the Bangalore Hub) as strategic partners to drive operational improvements, process standardization, and scalable financial execution.
Foster an accountable, high-performance environment across the organization and within the local Finance team.
Represent the India region within the global Finance leadership community, influencing global strategy through insightful recommendations and best practices.
2. Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)
Lead all aspects of financial planning and reporting-including strategic long-range planning, annual budgeting, re-forecasting, and monthly management reporting-ensuring accurate, timely, and actionable output.
Provide full visibility into financial and non-financial business performance with meaningful analysis and strategic recommendations.
Develop a deep understanding of commercial drivers and operational levers across brands and business units to help leaders achieve and exceed target performance.
Evaluate new initiatives, business proposals, and capital investments, monitoring ROI post-implementation.
Provide proactive guidance on growing revenue, managing cost structures, and enhancing short- and long-term financial performance.
3. Controlling, Tax, Treasury, Audit & Corporate Governance
Oversee and continually improve local controlling activities in alignment with best practice controls, processes, and corporate accounting policies.
Ensure strict compliance with regulatory requirements, statutory reporting, tax filings, and local audits; serve as the primary contact for external auditors.
Provide clear accounting guidance and financial policy interpretation across local operations.
Oversee treasury operations, including cash flow management, liquidity forecasting, and local banking relationships.
Direct all direct and indirect tax planning, filings, and compliance.
Drive consistency in internal controls and risk management across global finance network standards.
4. Operations & Team Leadership
Oversee magazine print production and manufacturing operations, ensuring timely production and adherence to premium brand quality standards.
Lead, mentor, and motivate the local Finance team, setting performance standards, supporting professional development, and building a high-trust culture.
Lead technology and process transformation initiatives to modernize the Finance function.
Maintain the highest standards of integrity, professional conduct, and compliance with corporate ethics policies.
Proactively identify, communicate, and mitigate potential operational and financial risks.
Internal: Corporate HQ Finance Team, India Managing Director, Local Functional Heads, Global Shared Services Hubs, and global network peers.
External: External Auditors, Local Tax Authorities, Banking Partners, Vendors, and Regulatory Bodies.
Commercial & Leadership Acumen: Proven track record as a commercially focused finance leader with strong executive presence, high business acumen, and the ability to influence senior executive stakeholders.
Industry Experience: Direct experience within media, publishing, entertainment, or consumer-facing digital content industries is strongly preferred.
Technical Expertise: Strong technical accounting background with expertise in financial controlling, statutory reporting, audit oversight, and tax compliance. CPA or Chartered Accountant (CA) qualification preferred; working knowledge of US GAAP/IFRS required.
Matrix & Global Organizations: Demonstrated ability to navigate, align, and drive performance within a complex, multi-brand, matrixed global organization.
Operations Support: Experience overseeing operational workflows, supply chain, or print production processes to maintain premium delivery and quality standards.
Systems & Tools: Proficient in enterprise financial software; experience with Oracle EPM and Workday is highly preferred.
Change Management: Proven capability in leading organizational transformation, driving continuous improvement, and implementing new technologies and controls.
Communication: Exceptional verbal and written English communication skills.
