Finance Director

As the Finance Director, you will act as a key partner to the Managing Director and regional leadership, driving investment decisions across artists, catalog, partnerships, and acquisitions, while ensuring best-in-class financial governance and operational excellence.

You will be responsible for the overall finance operations, analytics, reporting, budget preparation and M&A execution.

You will manage and control overall accounting and reporting systems ensuring compliance with local Accounting Policy, Financial regulations and Governing policies.

 

What you'll do:

Strategic Finance & Business Partnering

•  Act as strategic finance partner to the Managing Director and functional heads, providing financial insights to drive growth, profitability and risk mitigation.
•  Lead short-term and long-term financial planning aligned to business strategy.
•  Evaluate new business opportunities, partnerships, acquisitions, artist/content investments and new business initiatives through financial modelling and ROI analysis.
•  Develop and track KPIs aligned to revenue streams (catalogue, frontline, licensing, digital, physical, etc.).
•  Drive margin improvement initiatives and cost optimization programs.

Financial Planning and analysis

•  Own the annual operating plans and budgets.
•  Ensure timely and accurate reporting and closures of annual budgeting while maintaining budget ownership with the department and business leaders.
•  Work closely with MD and CFO-Finance in driving optimal performance for the business, monitoring budgets and developing financial projections.
•  Oversee and advise the month end accounting and monthly forecasts for all associated cost of business.

General Ledger, reporting & Audits

• Oversee all processes related to compiling and submitting standard notes to financial statements for parent company reporting.
• Oversee all processes related to preparation of executive and external reporting.
• Prepare, review and distribute statutory filings and shareholder reports.
• Govern audit relations, determine controls framework and consistently update tax and statutory audits on emerging changes in business operations.
• Financial dashboard and regular reporting to the management.
• Holding board meetings and do necessary filings in compliance with the local law.
• Cash flow reporting & monitoring.
• Partner with global and regional finance to align with company reporting standards.
• Work closely with Legal to align commercial terms with financial reporting.

Accounts Payable & Taxation  

• Payment processing as per the Authority matrix.
• VAT and other local regulatory Compliance.
• Review and validate tax liability accounts, calculate tax adjustments or provisions, prepare and post tax journal entries.
• Fixed asset accounting.
• Royalty reporting and accounting.

Accounts Receivable

• Revenue recognition in line with the policy.
• Perform revenue mix and AR analysis, analyze customer balances and AR aging, review potential doubtful receivables and bad debt reserves.
• Review collections worklist, follow-up with customers based on policies and procedures.
• Calculate and record bad debt reserves.

Admin and Office Operations

•    Oversee administrative operations including facilities, vendor management, office compliance, maintenance, service contracts and insurance.
•    Lead vendor negotiations to optimize cost structures. 
•    Ensure contract repository and documentation governance.
•    Oversee payroll, employee reimbursements, employee insurance related matter and related compliance.

 

Who You Are:

Technical/Functional

• Education Qualification/Background: CPA/ CA/ equivalent finance degree.

• Preferred Industry (or specific exposure): Multinational, media, entertainment, content acquisition companies.

• Relevant Work Experience (years): 10-12 years.

• Exposure to M&A transactions, deal structuring and investment analysis preferred.

• Knowledge of IFRS and accounting policies.

• Knowledge of VAT and Dubai local law compliances.

• Experience of working on commercial deals, joint ventures / mergers / acquisitions related commercial and governing roles.

• Business & Commercial acumen.

• Excellent presentation skills with an ability to translate financial data into clear commercial insights for seniors, including speaking to the trends and major drivers of the activity.

• Experience of handling Audit processes.

• JV structuring and partnership modelling.

• Public accounting experience a plus.

 

Behavioral

• Collaborative leadership style, build trust across creative and commercial teams, assisting others when required.

• High ownership mindset with ability to influence senior stakeholders and challenge constructively.

• Excellent analytical, verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.

• Structured, organized and execution driven.

• Closure-oriented, multitasking approach and ability to operate in a lean, fast-moving environment.

• Discretion in handling confidential information.

• High urgency and bias for action, moves fast without sacrificing quality.

 

What we give you:

• You join an inclusive, collaborative and global community where you have the opportunity to fuel the creative journey.

• A modern office environment designed to foster productivity, creativity, and teamwork.

• We invest in your professional growth & development.

 

Equal Opportunities

As an active part of a culturally and socially diverse society, Sony Music’s aim is that our workforce is diverse and inclusive. Sony Music is an equal opportunity employer and supports workforce diversity.

We employ, retain, promote and otherwise treat all employees and job applicants according to their merit, qualifications, competence and talent. We apply this policy without regard to any individual’s sex, race, religion, origin, age, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition or disability.

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