At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and analysis for a global real estate services division.
- Company: Join Cushman & Wakefield, a leader in commercial real estate services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with potential for significant impact on global operations.
- Why this job: Be a key player in shaping financial strategies across international markets.
- Qualifications: 12+ years in finance leadership with strong analytical and strategic skills.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Cushman & Wakefield is a global leader in commercial real estate services, helping clients transform the way people work, shop, and live. The firm’s 53,000 employees in more than 70 countries provide deep local and global insights that create significant value for occupiers and investors around the world.
We have an exciting opportunity for an accomplished and strategic Senior Director of Finance to lead the Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) and Client Finance functions across the International Division of Global Occupier Services, encompassing the EMEA and APAC regions. This highly visible leadership role serves as the primary finance partner to the International Division President, providing financial leadership, strategic recommendations, and operational insight to drive growth, profitability, and business performance across multiple clients, regions, and service lines.
The Senior Director will build and lead an integrated team of Finance Directors & Managers responsible for FP&A and Client Finance and will provide dotted-line leadership to the Controllership organization to ensure consistent financial governance, reporting, and execution. The role will also champion finance process excellence, systems enhancement, and financial technology initiatives to improve consistency, scalability, visibility, and decision-making across the organization.
The successful candidate will be highly effective in operating within a complex, global, and highly matrixed organization. They must possess strong commercial acumen, the ability to synthesize insights from multiple financial and operational data sources, and the ability to drive outcomes in an environment where systems, processes, and data structures may vary across countries and service lines. This role requires a leader who can influence across organizational boundaries, build alignment among diverse stakeholders, and bring consistency, accountability, and strategic focus to a fragmented operating environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as the primary strategic finance partner to the International Division President and regional client delivery and service line leadership teams.
- Provide financial leadership and drive business strategy, growth initiatives, investments, organizational design, and operational priorities.
- Influence strategic decision-making through financial analysis, scenario planning, and risk assessment that drive actionable recommendations.
- Lead executive reviews of business performance, including revenue, profitability, utilization, productivity, headcount, and margin trends.
- Establish consistent performance metrics, reporting standards, and operating rhythms across EMEA and APAC.
- Drive adoption of business intelligence, planning platforms, artificial intelligence, and advanced analytics solutions within finance.
- Own the end-to-end financial planning process for the Global Occupier Services International Division, including long-range plans, annual operating plans, and monthly rolling forecasts.
- Consolidate regional financial results and provide executive-level insights regarding performance, risks, and opportunities.
- Drive forecasting accuracy, consistency, and accountability across all countries, clients, and service lines.
- Ensure finance teams deliver timely, accurate, and actionable financial reporting to support business and client decision-making.
- Partner with the GOS commercial organization, to review and approve financial models for significant new business pursuits, contract renewals, and strategic account investments.
- Lead, develop, and mentor Finance Directors and finance leadership teams across APAC and EMEA.
- Maintain standardized Client Finance practices, processes, reporting frameworks, and financial controls aligned to global standards.
- Build strong relationships with senior client stakeholders and internal account leaders, serving as an escalation point for complex financial, commercial, and operational matters impacting strategic accounts.
Qualifications Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or related field.
- 12+ years of progressive finance leadership experience, including FP&A, commercial finance, business partnering, and financial management.
- Experience supporting international professional services operations across multiple countries and commercial structures.
- Demonstrated success leading finance teams within a real estate, professional services, consulting, technology services, marketing services, or project-based business environment.
- Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and financial modeling capabilities.
- Exceptional communication, influence, and stakeholder management skills.
What Success Looks Like
- Be recognised as the trusted strategic finance advisor to the Division President, International.
- Deliver consistent and high-quality finance support across APAC and EMEA.
- Improve forecast accuracy, business visibility, and financial performance management.
- Drive profitable growth through stronger commercial decision-making and client profitability oversight.
- Enhance financial processes, reporting capabilities, and technology-enabled decision support.
- Create greater organisational alignment through enhanced reporting, governance, processes, technology, and stakeholder engagement.
Cushman & Wakefield is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, marital status, or any other legally protected characteristic.
Senior Director, Finance - International Division, Global Occupier Services in London employer: Cushman & Wakefield
Cushman & Wakefield is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and collaborative work culture, particularly for the EMEA Treasury Manager role based in London. Employees benefit from comprehensive professional development opportunities, a commitment to operational excellence, and the chance to engage in transformative projects that drive the company's success in a fast-paced environment. With a focus on teamwork and innovation, this position offers a rewarding career path in a globally recognised firm.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Director, Finance - International Division, Global Occupier Services in London
✨Tip Number 1: Tap Into Professional Networks
The finance world loves a good connection, so jump into industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can find discussions on financial controlling. Engaging in these communities can expose you to hidden job leads that aren't openly advertised!
✨Tip Number 2: Attend Finance Events and Conferences
Make it a mission to attend finance-related events and conferences, even virtual ones! This is a golden opportunity to network face-to-face with people from companies like Cushman & Wakefield. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!
✨Tip Number 3: Showcase Your Expertise
Consider writing articles or sharing insights related to financial controlling or industry trends. Publish these on platforms like LinkedIn to establish yourself as a knowledgeable player in the field. This not only increases your visibility but also catches the attention of recruiters from Cushman & Wakefield.
✨Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites
Since you're going for a full-time gig, don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page of companies you're interested in, like Cushman & Wakefield. Many companies prefer candidates who apply through their website as it shows genuine interest and makes your application stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Director, Finance - International Division, Global Occupier Services in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers Game:In financial controlling, detail is everything! Make sure your CV showcases your proficiency with numbers—highlight any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, or working with financial software. Quantifying your past achievements will make you stand out, so don’t be shy about flaunting those impressive percentages or cost savings you've implemented.
Tailored Cover Letter is Key:Your cover letter is a chance to shine, especially for a full-time role. Use it to express your genuine interest in Cushman & Wakefield and the specific impact you hope to make in financial controlling. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that align with the company’s goals, and don’t forget to show that you're ready for a long-term commitment!
Certifications Matter:List relevant certifications such as ACCA or CIMA on your CV. These qualifications not only showcase your dedication to the field but also your technical competence in financial principles. If you have any ongoing training or courses, make sure to mention those as well to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning in financial controlling.
Don’t Overlook Soft Skills:While numbers are crucial, so are those soft skills! Financial controllers need strong communication and analytical reasoning abilities. We recommend embedding examples of these skills in your CV and cover letter, like how you’ve successfully delivered financial reports to stakeholders or collaborated with teams to improve processes. Let’s show Cushman & Wakefield how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cushman & Wakefield
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
If you've had experience with specific financial software like SAP or Oracle, make it known! Be ready to discuss how you used these tools to improve processes or reporting, as this hands-on knowledge can really set you apart in a full-time role with Cushman & Wakefield.
✨Know Your Numbers
In full-time interviews, especially in financial controlling, be prepared for numerical reasoning tests or questions. Brush up on your mental maths and understand how to interpret and analyse financial statements on the spot, as this may come up during the assessment.
✨Connect with Company Goals
Familiarise yourself with Cushman & Wakefield's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!
