Finance Director

Position Name: Finance Director

Reports to: CEO

Role Summary:

The Finance Director will lead the financial strategy and operations of the retail fashion brand, ensuring strong financial performance, sustainable growth, and effective risk management. This role requires deep expertise in retail finance, merchandising economics, inventory management, and margin optimization, with close partnership to commercial and operational teams.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and execute the company’s financial strategy aligned with business growth plans
• Act as a strategic partner to the CEO and leadership team
• Provide financial insights to support pricing, assortment, expansion, and investment decisions
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and long-range financial planning

Retail & Commercial Finance

• Oversee gross margin, markdown strategy, and profitability by channel
• Analyze store-level and product-level performance
• Support merchandising, buying, and planning teams with financial insights
• Monitor sell-through, stock turn, and working capital efficiency

Financial Operations & Control

• Manage accounting, reporting, tax, and compliance processes
• Ensure timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting
• Establish and maintain strong internal controls
• Oversee audit processes and external advisors

Cash Flow & Risk Management

• Manage cash flow, liquidity, and financing structures
• Optimize inventory financing and payment terms
• Identify and mitigate financial, operational, and market risks

Team & Stakeholder Management

• Lead and develop the finance team
• Build strong relationships with banks, investors, auditors, and suppliers
• Present financial results and insights to the Board

Required Qualifications:

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, or related field
• (MBA or CPA/ACCA preferred)
• 10+ years of progressive finance experience within the retail or fashion industry
• Prior experience as Finance Director, or senior finance leader
• Strong understanding of retail KPIs (GM%, sell-through, stock turn, like-for-like sales)

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of:
• Retail P&L management
• Inventory and working capital optimization
• Budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling
• Experience with ERP and retail systems
• Advanced excel and financial analysis skills

Leadership & Personal Skills

• Strategic, hands-on, and commercially minded
• Strong business partnering and communication skills
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced retail environment
• High integrity and strong decision-making capability

Preferred Experience

• Multi-store, omnichannel, or international retail exposure
• Experience supporting rapid growth, transformation, or restructuring
• Background in fashion, apparel, footwear, or lifestyle brands

What We Offer

• Strategic leadership role in a growing fashion brand
• Opportunity to shape long-term growth and profitability
• Competitive executive compensation and benefits