Finance Team Lead (Travel Agency Background) - Pune, India

This role comes under "CoreOps Service Private Limited", Air Arabia's newly launched Global Capability Center in Pune, India. 

CoreOps Services Private Limited (a subsidiary of “Air Arabia PJSC”) caters to the global business operations of the Air Arabia group and provides operations support to the Air Arabia parent company as well as its subsidiaries, joint ventures and associates worldwide. “CoreOps” focuses on centralizing, standardizing, and streamlining processes for efficient functioning of the business.

Job Purpose

Oversees and guides an assigned team of accounting analysts & associates, ensuring the accurate and timely delivery of financial services in line with client service level agreements (SLAs) and quality standards. With a strong focus on managing both financial and non-financial transactions, implementing control measures, and facilitating effective communication among stakeholders. The Team Lead drives team performance, maintains accountability for KPIs, and leads initiatives to optimize processes, enhance accuracy, and deliver exceptional client service.

Key Result Responsibilities

• Oversee daily accounting operations, maintaining real-time communication mechanisms to keep all relevant parties informed and aligned on task progress and priority items.
• Ensure adherence to client SLAs, monitoring team performance closely. Identify and implement corrective actions as needed to address any deviations from timelines, accuracy, or quality standards
• Establish and implement controls and review mechanisms to ensure the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of all deliverables. Regularly evaluate workflows to identify and correct potential gaps in compliance or accuracy
• Direct the preparation, validation, and reconciliation of financial statements, including client and supplier accounts, and ensure timely resolution of discrepancies.
• Build and maintain clear, effective communication channels with stakeholders. Conduct periodic reviews with managers and key stakeholders to facilitate information exchange, address concerns, and provide updates on team performance.
• Coordinate and manage the timely closure of monthly, quarterly, and annual books, ensuring that all financial statements and reports are delivered within established timelines.
• Identify, develop, and lead process improvement initiatives that drive accuracy, efficiency, and productivity within the team. Champion automation and workflow enhancements to streamline operations.
• Conduct regular performance reviews, provide feedback, and establish development plans to enhance team capabilities and motivate high performance.
• Actively coach and support team members in both work-related tasks and broader professional development. Provide guidance, feedback, and resources to foster both technical skills and personal growth.
• Prepare and review regular and ad hoc management reports, ensuring accuracy and insights that support data-driven decisions by senior leadership.

Qualifications (Academic, training, languages)

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
• Proficiency in MS Office applications (Advanced Excel is a must) and any accounting software

Work Experience

• 6 to 8 years of accounting experience, with at least 2 years in a team leadership role within a travel/ tour agency/ OTA.
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles, reconciliation processes, reporting standards, and operational best practices.
• Exceptional analytical skills, attention to detail, and proactive problem-solving abilities.
• Demonstrated experience in meeting and managing SLAs, with a proven ability to take corrective action when needed.
• Experience in establishing control frameworks, conducting performance reviews, and supporting process improvement.
• Ability to coach, guide and support team members in both professional and personal development.
• Familiarity with international accounting standards and BPO-specific client requirements.