Business Controller - International Operations

About the role

The Business Controller, International Assistance will be responsible for the smooth functioning of finance, accounting and analytics across the assistance centre locations.

Primarily focusing on business partnering and providing analytical insight to leadership for international assistance, the role is supported by the international assistance FP&A team in Prague and works closely with the team on actuals, forecasting, budgeting and ad hoc reporting.

This role sits within the international assistance management team and will you will need to use your strong communication, networking and influencing skills to be able to manage and partner with culturally diverse stakeholders and team members spread across multiple geographies and time zones.

Key responsibilities

•    Partner the General Managers, Assistance and Heads of Assistance (GMA’s/HOA’s) of international assistance locations in London, Paris, Madrid, Milan, Frankfurt, Dubai, Geneva, Mauritius, India, Australia and the Americas as well as local finance teams and the Director of Finance to drive the profitability and efficiency of International Assistance.
•    Partner the GMA/HOAs throughout monthly, quarterly and annual budget and planning processes.
•    Partner the GMA/HOAs to drive understanding of the financial performance of each assistance centre and how that corresponds to the operational performance and market conditions.
•    Partner the GMA/HOAs on monthly capacity planning/staffing model with the focus on both full time equivalent/ functional Headcount and key drivers of overtime, annual leave and temp support 
•    Partner with all GMA/HOAs in the management of discretionary costs, such as travel, training and consultancy etc, ensuring budget targets are well understood and achieved, through implementation of tight control where necessary.
•    Partner with GMA/HOAs on transformation projects and play a support or lead role in regional transformation activity.
•    Partner the GMA/HOAs  in their work with the local finance team as required.
•    Presentation of monthly results together with GMA/HOAs to senior management focusing on the business drivers of the financial results.
•    Manage the budget, forecast, outlook and two year plan in accordance with corporate guidelines and timelines.
•    Provide information for management analysis for the local operations, including client profitability analysis, business activities analysis etc – with the establishment of a relevant platform to facilitate the analysis. 
•    Assist in financial modelling for business development, ad hoc projects and responding to tenders/RFQs etc.
•    Assisting in the business, legal, tax and compliance reviews of contracts signed under the entities as required and to maintain and review such contracts regularly.
•    Assist GMA’s in analysing the assistance platforms sizing across the regions, analyse the assistance KPI’s and propose initiatives to improve efficiencies and profitability.
•    Manage ad hoc projects with a finance scope or/and if related to drive efficiency across the region.
•    Ensure timely, complete and accurate monthly and quarterly reporting for international assistance reporting as well as local management reporting requirements.
•    Manage general and administration expenditure in line with budgets, re-forecasts and ensure compliance with General Affairs Policy and Procedures (GAPP) at all times.
•    Ensure accurate and substantiated annual budget and forecasting exercise for the international assistance perimeter.
•    Manage the dedicated program around network services and ensure the recharge is aligned. 
•    Continuously review work processes to ensure efficient workflow to maximize staff efficiency.
•    Reorganization of the team to ensure maximum productivity for delivery of the business requirements
•    Champion, lead or implement new projects as necessary from time to time.

About you

•    Leadership and people management skills including coaching, change management, motivating and addressing performance.
•    Personal drive for continuous improvement, customer service and excellence.
•    Demonstrated experience as a ‘doer’ and hands on leader as well as team player.
•    Results driven with high passion, drive and motivation. 
•    Ability to work under pressure, deliver results and observe deadlines both personally and through influencing a team.
•    Evidence of strategic thinking and planning skills, particularly in financial analysis and reporting.
•    Accomplished networking skills both internally and externally to ensure collaboration within a demanding, culturally diverse and matrix organisation.  
•    Entrepreneurial, comfortable in a dynamic, fast changing and complex environment.
•    Strong analytical, problem solving and decision-making abilities.
•    Excellent communication and presentation skills.
•    High standard of honesty and integrity – self-disciplined and self-motivated.
•    Accounting qualification (ACCA or equivalent)
•    Strong business planning experience
•    Demonstrated technical experience in a similar role and a proven strength in leading a team.  Exposure and experience of change management an advantage.
•    Developed communication skills to enable strong stakeholder relationships and influencing of senior decision makers. 
•    Successful management of a team and finance function.
•    Fluent English, both verbal and written.
•    A second language is advantageous but not required.

Benefits

•    Private health and dental cover, pension scheme, life assurance
•    Cycle2work, season ticket loans, gym discounts, childcare vouchers
•    Access to our employee assistance & employee support programme
•    Experience the “Enjoy Work” entertainment and events at Chiswick business park  
•    Intermittent travel within the international assistance region may be required.