Head of Finance (Interior Design)
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Summary
Senior finance leadership role for an interior design business's African operations, based in Nairobi: the Head of Finance drives financial strategy, FP&A, project/cost finance, treasury, tax and compliance, and regional multi-country finance ops, while also overseeing HR and Administration. Requires 10-15 years' progressive finance experience with CPA(K)/ACCA.
Role Purpose
The Head of Finance will provide strategic financial leadership across the organization’s African operations, partnering with the Managing Director and senior leadership to drive profitability, sustainable growth, strong financial governance, risk management, and effective capital allocation.
The role will oversee financial planning and analysis, project finance, treasury, working capital, procurement finance, taxation, compliance, financial reporting, and regional finance operations. The position will also provide strategic oversight of Human Resources and Administration across the region.
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Financial Leadership
- Develop and implement financial strategies aligned with business objectives.
- Advise senior leadership on financial performance, investments, risks, and growth opportunities.
- Drive profitability, cash generation, cost efficiency, and return on investment.
- Support regional expansion and strategic business initiatives.
2. Commercial & Project Finance
- Oversee financial performance of projects and business operations.
- Lead project costing, pricing, tender reviews, budgeting, and commercial negotiations.
- Review major project budgets, BOQs, supplier contracts, and commercial proposals.
- Monitor project margins and implement corrective measures where necessary.
3. Financial Planning & Performance
- Lead budgeting, forecasting, financial modelling, and long-term financial planning.
- Prepare management reports and business performance analysis.
- Monitor financial performance across projects, business units, and regions.
- Provide insights to improve revenue, profitability, and operational efficiency.
4. Treasury & Working Capital
- Develop cash management and treasury strategies.
- Oversee cash-flow forecasting, liquidity, receivables, payables, and inventory.
- Manage banking relationships, financing facilities, and funding requirements.
- Optimize working capital and project cash cycles.
5. Governance, Risk & Controls
- Establish and maintain effective financial controls and governance frameworks.
- Lead financial, operational, commercial, compliance, and people-related risk management.
- Ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards, policies, and regulations.
- Strengthen controls across Finance, Procurement, Inventory, HR, Administration, and Operations.
6. Procurement & Inventory Finance
- Provide financial oversight of procurement and supply-chain activities.
- Ensure procurement decisions support profitability and cash-flow objectives.
- Oversee inventory valuation, stock controls, and inventory optimization.
- Monitor supplier financial performance and minimize waste, leakage, and cost overruns.
7. Regional Finance, HR & Administration
- Provide strategic oversight of Finance, HR, and Administration across regional operations.
- Ensure compliance with local tax, employment, labour, statutory, and regulatory requirements.
- Oversee regional reporting, cross-border transactions, foreign exchange, and transfer pricing.
- Standardize policies, procedures, controls, and reporting across regional offices.
- Support workforce planning, organizational development, and administrative efficiency.
8. Tax, Audit & Compliance
- Oversee tax planning, compliance, statutory reporting, and regulatory requirements.
- Manage relationships with auditors, tax authorities, regulators, banks, and other stakeholders.
- Ensure timely audits and strong audit outcomes.
- Maintain compliance across all operating entities and jurisdictions.
9. Leadership & Organizational Development
- Lead, mentor, and develop Finance, HR, and Administration teams.
- Build organizational capability to support growth and regional expansion.
- Drive performance management, succession planning, talent development, and employee engagement.
- Promote accountability, continuous improvement, and organizational effectiveness.
- Support change management and leadership development initiatives.
Requirements
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field.
- CPA (K), ACCA, or equivalent professional qualification – mandatory.
- Master’s Degree in Finance, Business Administration, or a related discipline – preferred.
- 10–15 years’ progressive finance experience, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership position.
- Experience in project-based industries such as construction, interior fit-outs, retail, manufacturing, engineering, or equipment distribution.
- Experience advising senior management and contributing to business strategy.
- Proven experience managing multi-country finance operations, preferably within East Africa or similar regional markets.
- Experience overseeing Finance, HR, Administration, and shared services functions.
- Strong knowledge of regional tax, employment, regulatory, and governance requirements.
Key Competencies
- Strategic Financial Leadership
- Commercial & Business Acumen
- Corporate Finance & Treasury
- Financial Planning & Analysis
- Project Finance & Cost Management
- Risk Management & Governance
- Regional & Multi-Country Financial Management
- HR & Administration Leadership
- Organizational Development
- Change Management
- Stakeholder Management & Executive Communication
- Leadership & People Development
- Shared Services Management
- Cross-Cultural & Multi-Jurisdictional Management