Vice President, Finance- UK

To manage the Corporate Affairs Group activities (including finance function) of Mashreq’s UK branch. This includes providing the Country Head and Head Office with accurate and timely reporting as well as sound financial analysis and forecasting. Amongst others, the responsibilities encompass financial accounting and controls, regulatory, tax and management reporting, balance sheet management, leading the strategic financial planning and forecasting process, managing new system and the corporate banking product roll out implementation projects from finance. The role involves obtaining regulatory approval to hold the UK regulated Senior Management Function 2. The job holder is also responsible for managing Administration and procurement tasks that fall under the Group CFO’s remit and ensure consistent delivery in line with group standards.

Key Result Areas:

• Implement and maintain robust financial controls and governance.
• Financial & regulatory reporting: Oversee and ensure preparation and audit of financial statements and returns to be submitted to regulators under the supervision of the Finance functional and Country Head and handle HO IFRS reporting accurately and on a timely basis.
• As the custodian of the branch general ledger, monitor and report all sundry account proofing and raising red flags to the Country Head and IBG Finance Head in case of issues.
• Tax Reporting & tax management: Handle all direct and indirect taxes of the branch (Corporate tax / VAT). Responsible for identifying opportunities and closely working with the Country Head and Group Head of Tax to optimize the tax base of the branch.
• Assist the Country Head in handling finance and tax-related queries with external stakeholders– (FCA/ PRA, HMRC), and ad-hoc group audits and queries.
• As the secretary of the Country ALCO, report monthly on the IBG ALCO ratio requirements.
• Work collaboratively with the UK ALCO and Head Office IBG ALCO to manage & optimize the branch liquidity position.
• Management reporting: Produce high quality and timely periodic reports for the Country Head and IBG Finance Head.
• Present relevant (ad-hoc) financial information to the MANCO and IBG Finance head as and when requested.
• Own the budgeting cycle for the branch, working with the Country Head and IBG Finance Head to set & track budgets and partner with senior leaders for successful execution.
• Create a financial discipline in the business through regular cost center expense review and drive cost management initiatives.
• Lead the finance workstream from the branch for all system & product implementation projects namely Core banking replacement, ERP, new product roll out such as NEO Corp from the corporate banking launch of the branch etc.
• Be responsible for all the Corporate Real Estate, Administration and procurement tasks as applicable included in HO’s description of the role relevant to the Branch and ensure consistent delivery in line with global standards.

Knowledge, Skills, & Experience:

• Deep knowledge of financial, management accounting, a Qualified accountant (ACCA) with 10 – 12 years of post-qualification experience, including at least 5 years in a finance function with exposure to corporate banking products.
• Sound knowledge of Corporate and FI products and accounting flow.
• Sound understanding of banking regulations in the United Kingdom.
• Previous experience as a Certified Person or as a Senior Management Function holder.
• General knowledge & understanding of all relevant direct and indirect taxation laws and rules applicable to the branch (Taxation / Transfer pricing) and ability to visualize cross border tax implications from transactions that will require advice from Group Tax function in HO.
• Highly analytical and logical thinking, sound verbal and written communication/presentation skills (fluent in English), highly systematic and organized working style and to handle multiple deadlines and ability to multi-task.
• Prior experience in implementation of core banking and ERP systems and ability to automate manual tasks to achieve operational efficiencies.
• Prior experience in dealing with Administration and procurement functions.
• Preferably well networked with industry peers to understand and keep abreast of developments in the local market environment.

The role would require the incumbent to be a Full Time Officer (FTO) which would require attending office in person as per the applicable policies of the bank.