Finance Director, Asia Pacific

Our client is a US-headquartered MNC in the industrial sector, with operations in Asia Pacific.

The APAC Finance Director is responsible for leading the overall finance function across the Asia-Pacific region, ensuring effective financial management, strong governance, regulatory compliance, and strategic business partnership. The role provides leadership for all aspects of financial planning and analysis, controllership, accounting operations, budgeting, forecasting, tax, treasury, audit, and internal controls.

The position serves as a trusted advisor to business and operational leaders across APAC, supporting profitable growth, operational excellence, and long-term value creation. The APAC Finance Director is expected to drive financial performance, strengthen compliance and control environments, optimize working capital, and support strategic decision-making while ensuring alignment with the company's global finance policies and objectives.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Leadership & Business Partnership

• Lead and manage all finance and accounting activities across assigned APAC operations.
• Serve as a strategic business partner to APAC leadership, site leadership teams, and functional leaders.
• Provide meaningful financial analysis, guidance, and recommendations to improve business performance and profitability.
• Support strategic initiatives, business expansion, restructuring activities, and investment decisions.

Financial Planning, Forecasting & Reporting

• Lead the annual budget, quarterly forecasts, long-range planning, and monthly financial review processes.
• Develop, monitor, and analyze regional financial performance against budget, forecast, and prior year results.
• Prepare and present financial results, risks, opportunities, and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Drive improvements in forecasting accuracy and financial visibility across the region.

Accounting & Controllership

• Direct and manage the accounting function, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting.
• Develop and maintain finance policies, procedures, and budgetary controls.
• Ensure compliance with US GAAP, local statutory requirements, and company's accounting policies.
• Oversee monthly close, account reconciliations, and financial statement preparation.

Internal Controls, Compliance & Audit

• Maintain an effective internal control environment and ensure compliance with SOX requirements.
• Coordinate internal and external audits and ensure timely resolution of audit findings.
• Ensure compliance with corporate governance standards and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Lead risk assessment and financial compliance initiatives across APAC.

Tax, Treasury & Cash Management

• Oversee regional tax compliance, tax planning, and statutory reporting requirements.
• Manage cash flow forecasting and working capital performance.
• Partner with Corporate Treasury on banking, foreign exchange, and cash management activities.
• Ensure efficient utilization of company funds and resources.

Operational Finance Support

• Support commercial, supply chain, manufacturing, procurement, and operational leadership teams through financial analysis and decision support.
• Monitor key operational and financial performance indicators.
• Drive initiatives aimed at improving EBITDA, margins, productivity, and operational efficiency.

Team Leadership & Development

• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing APAC finance organization.
• Drive talent development, succession planning, and employee engagement within the finance team.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and customer focus.

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or related discipline required
• CPA, CA, ACCA, CMA, or equivalent professional qualification preferred
• MBA preferred

Experience

• Minimum 15 years progressive finance and accounting experience.
• Minimum 10 years leadership experience in multinational organizations.
• Experience supporting multiple APAC markets and legal entities preferred.
• Experience within pharmaceutical, biotech, life sciences, healthcare, or manufacturing industries preferred.
• Strong experience in financial planning and analysis, controllership, internal controls, and business partnering.

Competencies / Skills

• Strong financial and business acumen
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving
• Financial planning and analysis
• Accounting and controllership expertise
• US GAAP and statutory accounting knowledge
• SOX compliance and internal control management
• Tax and treasury knowledge
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Influencing and stakeholder management capability
• Change management and transformation leadership
• People leadership and talent development
• Ability to work effectively in a matrixed, global environment

*Please attach updated CV with application