Center of Excellence Section Head

Overview

Role Purpose

To drive sustainable continuous improvement within the finance organization, managing identified projects and deliver business process improvements through the evaluation of standardization, optimization, and automation opportunities to achieve strategic outcomes. Required to foster a culture of continuous improvement by continuously challenging the status quo and maintain a governance framework that will support this culture, improving processes by leveraging Insight (ERP), data analytics and continuous improvement to support the success strategies of the broader finance community. Cross-functional partnering with IT, HR and throughout the organization to review and prioritize a pipeline of changes related to financial systems, staffing related activities, processes, and procedures to support the strategic objectives within the set KPIs and adopted policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

Center of Excellence

• Validate the deployment of best finance business processes and practices, by working with Finance global process owners and other key cross-functional leaders, identify gaps and recommend corrective actions.
• Lead the Finance Center of Excellence in identifying, designing, and implementing process improvements and use of KPI's to ensure adherence to define standards.
• Remain current on innovative process improvement practices by leveraging peer networks and other resources as appropriate.
• Collaborate with IT department by continually evaluating Insight (ERP) capabilities to identify solutions that will drive efficiencies and result in a best-in-class finance operation.
• Responsible for assurance of proper implementation of IFRS requirements.
• Collaborate with HR department by continually evaluating staff costs and payroll related activities to identify solutions that will drive efficiencies and result in a best-in-class finance operation.
• Conduct and steer meetings related to the provision of Finance related support services with the Department / Business Area Heads.
• Collaborate with cross-functional and functional business process owners on the execution of cross-functional projects to support Insight and the corresponding process and organizational design.
• Increase enterprise's understanding of performance in finance terms (Finance for non-finance concepts buildup).
• Validate and ensure basing strategies on business priorities for maximum ROI and added value.
• Ensure high standards of confidentiality to safeguard commercially sensitive information.
• Provide and support financial and business analysis and delivering insights linking the financial reports to business strategies.
• Validate and ensure the design, development, and implementation of shared services modules within finance and cross functionally.
• Directly supervise COE Team members in providing support for above initiatives.
• Review and validate insights into performance metrics, show the financial implications of decisions and help the business in obtaining budget approvals and investment proposals prepared as and when required.
• Ensure a clear line of sight between strategic goals and day-to-day activities and results in efficient performance management of Finance & Accounts and FP&A.
• Review Business Areas finance performance, identify gaps and recommend corrective actions.
• Coach and educate Business Areas on the related budgeting, costing, and reporting processes.
• Improve business agility and technology management, which in turn drives business efficiency (ERP implementation, integration & ownership from finance side).
• Provide a link between the Executive Management, Business Units, Corporate departments, and the Finance Team in relation to finance functions and processes.
• Validate and ensure business units financial KPIs in line with the corporate strategy, KPI preparation & Meetings.
• Maintain highest standards of professional conduct, ethics, and integrity in the provision of services in the department.
• Build and maintain strong and effective relationships with all other related units to achieve the section's goals/objectives.
• Actively participate in on-the-job training, mentoring, and coaching of subordinates.
• Provide clear direction, prioritize tasks, assign, and delegate responsibility, and monitor the workflow.
• Lead the operational assessment process which is used for assessing and making recommendations pertaining to how the organization is operating against defined process, policies and best practices.
• Ensure high standards of confidentiality to safeguard commercially sensitive information.
• Actively participate in strategic, internal meetings and cross-departmental meetings which serve as the executive status and governance forum for the program.
• Allocate work to employees, conduct performance reviews, and manage leave and overtime in coordination with the Performance & Governance Manager to ensure efficiency of the section.
• Supervise direct reporters in their day-to-day tasks and guide them in managing their performance by providing appropriate feedback and counseling.
• Drive the engagement and satisfaction of all employees within the section through holding periodic meetings to discuss the achievements and address any employee issues and/or concerns.

Policies, Processes and Procedures

• Support in monitoring day-to-day activities to ensure compliance with stipulated policies and procedures
• Contribute to the identification of opportunities for continuous improvement of systems and processes taking into account leading practices, changes in business environment, cost reduction and productivity improvement

People Management

• Actively participate in on-the-job training, mentoring and coaching of subordinates
• Provide clear direction, prioritize tasks, assign and delegate responsibility and monitor the workflow
• Promote a high-performance working environment embracing SANS's values

Qualifications

Knowledge and Experience

• Minimum of 6 years of experience in a related field.

Education and Certifications

• A bachelor's degree Business Administration with specialization in Finance or Accounting or equivalent is required.
• Professional Certification such as CPA/CA and/or CMA is preferable.