General Manager - Business Finance

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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

Required Skills & Competencies

Technical Skills

• 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.