Director Global Commercial finance

The Director Global Commercial Finance functions as a strategic finance leader and trusted business partner to global marketing, sales, and commercial leadership teams. The role is responsible for driving profitable growth through financial planning, performance management, investment optimization, commercial decision support, and value creation initiatives across multiple markets and business units. The position ensures that commercial and marketing investments are aligned with corporate strategy, deliver measurable returns, and support sustainable business growth in a complex multinational environment.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

Strategic Business Partnership

• Act as the primary finance partner to global marketing, commercial, and sales leadership teams.
• Influence strategic decisions through financial insights, scenario modelling, and data-driven recommendations.
• Support the development and execution of long-term growth strategies, market expansion plans, and commercial transformation initiatives.
• Challenge and validate business assumptions to ensure optimal allocation of resources and investment.

Financial Planning & Analysis

• Lead annual budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning processes for global marketing and commercial functions.
• Develop financial models to assess business opportunities, innovation pipeline, customer strategies, and market investments.
• Monitor financial performance against plans and provide actionable insights to senior leadership.
• Identify risks and opportunities and recommend corrective actions to achieve business objectives.

Marketing Investment Management

• Evaluate and optimize marketing spend across channels, campaigns, and regions.
• Establish frameworks to measure return on marketing investment and customer acquisition economics.
• Partner with marketing teams to assess effectiveness of brand-building and performance marketing activities.
• Drive accountability for marketing expenditure and ensure alignment with strategic priorities.

Performance Management & Reporting

• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and performance dashboards for commercial and marketing functions.
• Deliver executive-level reporting and presentations to senior leadership and board stakeholders.
• Lead monthly business reviews and performance discussions with regional and global teams.
• Drive transparency and accountability through robust financial governance.

Business Transformation & Value Creation

• Support strategic partnerships, and business development opportunities as required.
• Lead finance workstreams in commercial transformation, digital marketing, and customer experience initiatives.
• Identify productivity, efficiency, and cost optimization opportunities.
• Champion continuous improvement and adoption of best practices across global finance and commercial teams.

Governance, Controls & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with corporate policies, financial controls, and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain integrity of financial data, reporting processes, and forecasting methodologies.
• Collaborate with internal and external audit teams as required.
• Promote strong risk management practices across commercial and marketing activities.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead and develop a high-performing global finance team.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning.
• Build strong relationships across finance, marketing, sales, operations, and executive leadership.
• Mentor finance professionals and support talent development initiatives.

Expected Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• MBA, CPA, ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent professional qualification preferred.
• 12-15+ years of progressive finance experience within multinational organizations.
• Significant experience partnering with marketing, sales, and commercial functions at a regional or global level.
• Proven track record in FP&A, commercial finance, business partnering, and strategic decision support.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and influencing senior executives in complex matrix organizations.
• Demonstrated success in managing large budgets, investment portfolios, and business performance initiatives.
• Experience operating across multiple geographies, markets, and cultures.
• Exposure to consumer goods, retail, or similarly complex multinational sectors preferred.

Work Environment & Schedule

This position is considered a Normal office environment with limited travel or visits to external locations; offices are open workspaces

Required Skills

Financial & Commercial Expertise

• Advanced financial planning, forecasting, and analytical capabilities.
• Strong commercial acumen with deep understanding of revenue growth drivers.
• Expertise in pricing, profitability analysis, investment evaluation, and business case development.
• Knowledge of marketing effectiveness measurement and customer economics.

Strategic Thinking

• Ability to translate financial insights into strategic business recommendations.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Experience evaluating complex business scenarios and growth opportunities.
• Ability to balance short-term performance with long-term value creation.

Leadership & Influence

• Executive presence with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and leadership teams.
• Strong people leadership, coaching, and talent development skills.
• Ability to lead through change and drive organizational transformation.
• Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building capabilities.

Communication & Collaboration

• Exceptional presentation and storytelling skills.
• Ability to communicate complex financial concepts to non-financial audiences.
• Strong negotiation and influencing capabilities.
• Effective collaboration across diverse global and cross-functional teams.

Technical & Digital Skills

• Advanced proficiency in financial modelling and data analytics.
• Experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and planning tools.
• Strong knowledge of business intelligence and visualization platforms (e.g., Power BI, Tableau).
• Experience leveraging digital technologies, automation, and AI-driven analytics to improve decision-making.
• Gen AI savvy or willing to learn at fast pace.

Personal Attributes

• Results-oriented with a strong ownership mindset.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and business judgment.
• Adaptable and resilient in fast-paced, global environments.
• Continuous improvement and growth mindset.