Regional Finance Manager

The Regional Finance Lead (APAC) is a key member of the account leadership team, responsible for driving the financial performance and commercial success of the account across the region. Acting as the trusted finance business partner to both Sodexo and client stakeholders, the role provides strategic financial leadership, commercial insight, and decision support to enable profitable growth, operational excellence, and effective risk management.

The Regional Finance Lead ensures robust financial governance while influencing key business decisions that maximize value creation for the client and Sodexo

Main assignments – Indicate the main activities / duties to be conducted in the job.

Strategic Business Partnership

• Serve as the trusted finance business partner to the Regional Account Director, regional leadership team, and client stakeholders, providing financial insights and recommendations to support strategic and operational decision-making.
• Influence business decisions through robust financial analysis, scenario planning, and risk assessment.
• Support the development and execution of account growth strategies, ensuring financial and commercial objectives are achieved.

Financial Planning & Performance Management

• Lead the regional budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning processes across all countries within the account.
• Deliver timely and accurate financial reporting, variance analysis, and performance insights to account leadership, client stakeholders, and Sodexo management.
• Monitor key financial and operational KPIs, identifying risks and opportunities and driving corrective actions where required.
• Develop business cases and financial models to support investment decisions, transformation initiatives, and account expansion opportunities.
• Own and coordinate the development, consolidation, and ongoing management of the client's annual budget and forecast processes across the region, ensuring alignment with contractual commitments and business objectives.
• Provide regular financial reporting to client stakeholders, including budget performance, forecasts, variance analysis, savings tracking, and key financial metrics, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and timeliness.
• Partner with country finance and operational teams to monitor client budget adherence, identify risks and opportunities, and recommend corrective actions where required.

Commercial Leadership & Client Management

• Act as the primary finance interface for the client on financial and commercial matters, building trusted relationships at both regional and country levels.
• Support contract negotiations, renewals, pricing reviews, and commercial discussions to ensure sustainable profitability and value creation.
• Lead and govern change control processes, ensuring contractual changes are accurately evaluated, documented, approved, and implemented.
• Champion commercial best practices and ensure compliance with contractual obligations and financial commitments.
• Act as a trusted advisor to client stakeholders on budget management, financial performance, cost optimization opportunities, and funding requirements across the account.
• Lead client financial review meetings, presenting budget performance, financial forecasts, operational impacts, and value delivery outcomes to regional and country stakeholders.
• Ensure all client-specific reporting requirements are fulfilled in accordance with contractual obligations, governance standards, and agreed reporting timelines.

Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Ensure the account operates within Sodexo financial policies, internal controls, governance frameworks, and contractual requirements.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate financial, commercial, and operational risks across the account.
• Maintain audit readiness and support internal and external reviews as required.

Continuous Improvement & Value Creation

• Drive initiatives that enhance profitability, cash flow, productivity, and operational efficiency across the account.
• Lead financial workstreams supporting account transformation, innovation, and continuous improvement programs
• Promote data-driven decision-making through effective use of financial and operational analytics.

Leadership & Team Development

• Provide leadership, coaching, and technical guidance to finance team members across the region.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning within the finance community.
• Build finance capability, succession plans, and talent development pathways to support the long-term success of the account.

Accountabilities – Give the 3 to 5 key outputs of the position vis-à-vis the organization; they should focus on end results, not duties or activities.

• Deliver financial targets including revenue, profitability, cash flow, and productivity commitments.
• Provide strategic financial leadership to support commercial and operational decision-making.
• Drive client value and business growth through strong business partnering and commercial stewardship.
• Ensure robust financial governance and effective management of business risks.
• Build a high-performing finance function focused on continuous improvement, capability development, and value creation.
• Ensure effective management of client budgets and delivery of accurate, insightful financial reporting that supports transparency, informed decision-making, and achievement of account objectives.

Person Specification :

• Educated to a minimum of bachelor's degree in accounting and finance or equivalent standard and relevant accounting qualification.
• Proven track record in finance (6 years experience) with experience in a regional and multicultural environment
• Significant commercial exposure providing the experience to be a business partner to operations - gravitas and experience to challenge constructively
• Relationship builder both internally and externally, with ability to influence and negotiate externally
• Experience of financial modelling
• Process orientation and implementation experience
• Hands on pro-active approach with an ability to work well autonomously
• Excellent communication skills and proven ability to work in a collaborative way
• Presentation skills, ability to interact at any level of the organization
• Fluent English (written and spoken) with a second language preferable
• This position requires some travelling.