General Manager – Strategy & Business Finance
Job Title:
General Manager – Strategy & Business Finance
Experience:
12–15 years
Qualification:
MBA (Tier 1 / Tier 2) + Working knowledge of Accounting
Industry Preference:
Publishing / Education / Content-led / Digital businesses
Location:
[Delhi/Gurgaon]
Reporting To:
CFO
Role Overview
The General Manager – Strategy & Business Finance will act as a strategic partner to the leadership team, driving business growth, financial rigour, and informed decision-making. The role requires deep analytical skills, strong business acumen, and the ability to translate financial insights into strategic recommendations. The position also demands hands-on expertise in planning, forecasting, MIS, and business performance management, with an added working knowledge of accounting and financial controls.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategy & Business Planning
- Lead evaluation of new business models, digital initiatives, partnerships, and growth opportunities.
- Prepare detailed business cases, investment proposals, ROI analysis, and feasibility assessments.
- Support long-term strategy development and lead cross-functional strategic review cycles.
- Analyse market trends, competitive movements, customer behaviours, and portfolio profitability.
- Business Performance & Commercial Insights
- Own performance tracking across product lines, channels, and business units.
- Drive variance analysis, revenue/cost diagnostics, and scenario modelling.
- Identify opportunities for margin expansion, pricing optimisation, and cost efficiency.
- Partner with Sales, Editorial, Marketing & Operations to align business plans with financial targets.
- Financial Planning, Budgeting & Forecasting
- Lead the annual operating plan, quarterly forecasts, and long-range financial planning.
- Build and refine financial models for revenue, gross margin, cost structures, cash flow, and profitability.
- Ensure assumptions are validated with functional heads and aligned to strategy.
- Drive planning discipline, governance, and data consistency across teams.
- Management Reporting & Executive Communication
- Deliver high-impact presentations for management committees, global reviews, and Board updates.
- Build automated dashboards and MIS using Power BI for real-time visibility of business KPIs.
- Ensure accuracy, timeliness, and quality of all business finance reporting.
- Communicate insights with clear storytelling and actionable recommendations.
- Accounting Linkages & Financial Controls
- Apply working knowledge of accounting principles to interpret financial statements, provisions, accruals, and capex/opex classification.
- Collaborate with Controllership to ensure accurate month-end close, revenue recognition, and cost allocation.
- Strengthen internal controls, data integrity, and compliance across FP&A processes.
- Ensure strategic projects adhere to accounting policies, risk guidelines, and audit requirements.
- Systems, Process Improvements & Automation
- Work extensively on SAP (FI/CO), Power BI, and Excel for data extraction, modelling, and reporting.
- Drive automation of planning cycles, dashboards, templates, and reporting frameworks.
- Standardize planning processes and improve efficiency through better tools and workflows.
Technical Skills
Required Skills & Competencies
- Strong financial modelling and analytical capabilities.
- Exceptional PowerPoint & presentation design skills — ability to craft executive-level narratives.
- Proficiency in Power BI (DAX, data modelling, dashboarding).
- Working knowledge of SAP (FI/CO or equivalent).
- Strong Excel skills (advanced formulas, automation, scenario modelling).
- Working knowledge of accounting, financial statements, and internal controls.
Behavioural Competencies
- Strategic thinker with strong business acumen.
- Influential communicator with excellent stakeholder management.
- High attention to detail, accuracy, and problem-solving orientation.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with tight timelines.
- Collaborative, proactive, and outcome-driven leadership style.
Preferred Background
- MBA from a Tier 1 or Tier 2 institute.
- 12–15 years of relevant experience across Strategy, FP&A, Business Finance, or Commercial roles.
- Exposure to Publishing, Education, Digital Content, or Media industries preferred.
- Experience in global or matrix organisations is an advantage.
