Finance & Contract Support Manager

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Job Title: Finance & Contract Support Manager

Business Sector: Data Centre Solutions, Critical Environment

Location: London, UK

COMPANY PROFILE

CBRE is the global leader in real estate services and leverages the industry's most powerful knowledge base to meet the commercial real estate needs of its clients worldwide. Our vision is to be the preeminent, vertically integrated, globally capable real estate service firm. Globally, we employ over 70,000 employees and operate in 48 countries.

Purpose of the Job

• To lead sustainable financial growth by taking ownership of the financial operations, controls and management information for the Business Unit.
• Provide insight and influence to impact performance and maintain competitive advantage alongside financial and contract support leadership and direction in the Business Unit.
• Act as point of liaison for Finance and Commercial issues for the Client and Contract teams.
• This will involve personal attitude, use of skills and dissemination of knowledge.
• Use specialist skills and experience to provide insight and influence in order to impact performance standards. Implement improvements, drive change, raise standards through the direct and indirect management of the team.
• Act as a business partner to the Business Unit Director to both advise and challenge senior management on contract performance.

Key Tasks

Customer

• Developing high quality and effective Client relationships especially across the Business Unit.
• Build good working relationship with account management and key client's members and be a business partner for both.
• Tightly manage contract governance, demonstrating an in-depth knowledge of the terms and conditions of the contract to ensure that all cost elements are appropriately accounted for.
• Assist with client team requests in a timely and accurate manner.
• Positively respond to both our internal and external customers (often in a matrix environment) through effective communication and personal accessibility/credibility.

Financial Reporting

• Monthly formal Contract and Business unit reviews. Ensure use of best practice, communication and understanding of key business messages through monthly site visits with focus on underperforming contracts.
• Liaising with the CBRE EMEA Finance or GWS EMEA Financial Planning and Analysis team to fulfill any ad hoc information requests.
• Support any GWS transformation and client initiatives, working closely with other functions to ensure full alignment of deliverables and results.
• Prepare accurate Business Unit reports in line with monthly company timetable including full Profit & Loss account with analysis and commentary, Balance Sheet extracts and reconciliations, detailed Project Profitability reporting, Profit & Loss forecasts and annual plans.
• Ad-hoc reporting as requested by Divisional Finance Director or Business Unit Director.
• Provide best in class Management Information to both Client and GWS management to include Actuals v Budget.
• Provide ad-hoc support and financial analysis as required.

Contract and Finance Management

• Continually review, maintain and improve cash-flow, margins and reporting.
• Develop targets and benchmarking processes to challenge the financial information.
• Drive high quality financial / commercial performance through understanding the contractual commitments on service lines in EMEA and ensure is aligned and consistent with global contract management practices.
• Identify and help drive implementation of savings opportunities to ensure Client and GWS financial savings targets are maximized.
• Review Contract and Business Unit P&L results and challenge.
• Carry out regular Business Unit reviews and Project reviews.
• Active management of overheads for business whilst seeking out areas for efficiencies for savings.
• Build and develop high level relationships with business and account leaders, central finance teams, customers and external agencies (e.g. auditors).
• Constantly improve quality, service and efficiency.
• Communicate regularly with contract financial and contract support staff to ensure they are fully informed of operational objectives and achievements.
• Identify, analyse and resolve potential business risks, as well as opportunities and solutions to enhance business performance.

Finance Processes, Procedures and Reporting

• Ensure company policies and procedures are adhered to consistently throughout the Business Unit / Contract.
• Ensure full substantiation of all accruals, un-billed revenue and WIP, in line with GWS policy.
• Manage the integrity of data in Client reporting and GWS systems.
• Develop an understanding of how to best utilize GWS system-generated reporting capabilities.
• Continually develop systems to maximize efficiency benefits for client & GWS.
• Ensure the accuracy and integrity of accounting records and financial systems, identify opportunities to enhance system efficiencies
• Have thorough knowledge of procedures and processes and lead the delivery of these to the required standard.
• Manage compliance through the required procedures and processes.

Finance Planning

• Assisting in the preparation of annual bottom up Plan for and monitoring the forecast through the year.
• Ensure balance sheet and cash flow Plans are prepared.

Financial Governance

• Ensure CBRE and statutory obligations are met for reporting and governance purposes.
• Responsibility for ensuring the integrity of the Balance Sheet and Balance Sheet Commentary.
• Ensure monthly balance sheet reconciliations are carried out, reviewed and maintained in ART.
• Driving and agreeing any financial policy requirements with the Divisional Financial Director.

People Management

• Recruit, induct, manage, target, motive and develop the Contract Support team.
• Review and advise on resourcing gaps.
• Carry out structured appraisals and ensure personal development plans are in place and include succession plans.
• Build, lead and motivate a diverse and effective team. Empower team members to take responsibility and accountability.
• Supervise and review performance of individuals in the team.
• Convey messages and ideas clearly and openly. Involve people and influence decisions.

Success Measures

• Success in this role will be measured through defined targets as follows:
• Achievement of Business Unit annual financial plan
• Achievement of Business Unit KPIs in line with business requirements
• No SOX or audit deficiencies in the Business Unit

Education

• Hold a Chartered Accountant qualification (or equivalent)
• Higher educational qualifications to 'A' level or degree (or equivalent)

Skills

• Highly computer literate
• Ability to combine strategic vision with hands-on, pragmatic delivery.
• IT Skills to achieve key tasks and give the business a sound reporting base.
• Superior written and verbal communication skills with strong oral presentation skills
• Capable of working in a matrix environment
• Formal training in the use of Excel Word and presentation software packages

Knowledge

• Understands the requirements of operating in a cross border multiservice line environment.

Experience

• Track record of achieving results through others.
• Proven commercial acumen and ability to contribute to decision-making.
• Management skills to maximise the performance of staff working directly for them and others
• Previous experience of a service industry role using operating systems such as Dynamics AX.
• Dealt with GMP, Cost plus and Fixed price commercial models
• Involved in acquisitions, including the integration of new businesses

Aptitude

• Ability to shape, lead and influence other senior managers
• Well developed, effective communication skills enabling the individual to work with Board Members, clients, suppliers, and staff at all levels and of all abilities
• Self-motivated and ambitious
• Results/ task orientated, with attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent time management and organisational skills
• Commitment to continuous improvement
• Ability to work as part of a team, as well as independently
• Committed to customer service delivery
• Able to make sound decisions when needed and take accountability for outcomes
• Calm manner, able to work under pressure and with changing demands and priorities
• Confidential and discrete approach

Circumstances

• The individual must be willing to undertake travel as the role/business requires

Core Competencies

• Managed and Develops Self and Others
• Collaborates Across Boundaries
• Commercial Excellence
• Communication
• Integrity

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

We are an equal opportunities employer and do not discriminate on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability or age.