Senior Manager – Finance

Purpose

The position holder is responsible for supporting the CFO and SVP finance in overseeing the corporate finance and commercial finance activities of the organization, project managing key transformation initiatives led by the finance function, preparation and reporting on business review reports, supporting commercial feasibility and assessments of new school and services projects. The incumbent should be well versed with managing the due diligence process for corporate finance transactions, preparation of business plan models, working with external advisors including lenders, managing shareholder and internal comms, and independently project managing transactions including project financing and new capital raises.

Key Accountabilities

Corporate finance initiatives

• Supporting the CFO and SVP finance on new funding initiatives, including asset financing and new capital raises
• The incumbent will be responsible for project managing the due diligence process. This would include liaising with external consultants and advisors, working with internal teams, and preparing reports for the GEMS senior management team
• The incumbent will also be responsible for the preparation of business plans and marketing materials for M&A transactions. Responsibility will also include developing a road map with internal teams on asset integration / 100 day plan post asset acquisition
• Supporting the CFO in preparation of feasibility reports and transaction assessment reports for the Investment committee of the Board, including any follow-up materials as requested
• Working with internal and external teams on drafting and reviewing key transaction terms, including all transaction related documents

Commercial finance initiatives

• Supporting the CFO and SVP finance in running commercial feasibility assessments for initiatives and projects across our schools and services
• Preparation of feasibility plans and marketing materials, including working with external advisors
• The incumbent will also be responsible for keeping the senior management team up to date on key macro trends that have a direct or indirect impact on the business

Operational Support

• Support the CFO and SVP finance in preparation of school / business review reports as mandated by the board from time to time
• The incumbent will also be responsible for reporting on the performance quadrants for all schools, and working with the education team to identify and report on at risk schools or schools where finance intervention is required
• Working with the ESG lead on all the reporting requirements from an ESG perspective, including establishing the governance and reporting mechanism to track progress
• Work with the senior manager – operational and commercial finance to align the date architecture and reporting requirements from a finance perspective
• Working with the CFO and SVP finance to report on and prepare board materials, including tracking progress against board matters
• Project managing all key strategic initiatives, under the CFO’s ambit. The incumbent is responsible for tracking progress and ensuring all initiatives are delivered on time

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Experience & Qualifications 

• 10+ years of relevant experience in similar roles, focused on management accounting/Financial Planning & Analysis
• Big 4 experience a must, preferably in transaction advisory
• Bachelors or Masters degree in Finance or similar discipline 
• CA/CPA/CCAB qualified or completed any other internationally recognized accounting qualification

Job Specific Knowledge & Skills

• Exceptional interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence, with proven track record displaying the ability to influence change at a senior management level within the Organisation and the ability to encourage compliance with new strategies
• Agility and the ability to react appropriately in a fluid business environment
• Resilience, having the personal strength to work with various people and challenging circumstances
• An analytical and strategic thinker
• Scenario modeller; solid excel and presentation skills
• Ability to develop insightful, value-added, and actionable analysis with detailed explanations regarding drivers of those results; produce unambiguous, comprehensive and accurate interpretations.
• Experience with change management in setting up new processes, rules & structures across the organization and building commitment from the teams.
• Highly commercial and results driven with skills in managing and creating core processes and bringing a creative and innovative approach.

GEMS Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all of its students and staff. A UK-enhanced DBS or equivalent police check is a pre-requisite for all appointments.