Job Description

dnata Travel

• dnata is the leading travel management company in the Middle East and India region. dnata is part of the Emirates Group based in Dubai. Our travel presence in the region consists of owned businesses in a number of countries including UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Iraq.
• dnata India was established in November 2011 and has since been through significant restructure which has resulted in the exit of the corporate travel and Inbound travel segments. The business now employs approximately 200 FTE servicing 3 main verticals: Visa services, GSA and 3rd party manpower services; the latter consists of a technology manpower operation servicing Travel Republic UK, plus a call centre operation. The business now operates in three strategic locations being Mumbai (GSA), Gurgaon (Visa services) and Bangalore (Manpower contracts).

Role Summary

Reporting directly to the Business Finance Manager, ME&I (Dubai based), with a ‘dotted line’ to the CEO, the Finance Director will lead financial delivery, governance and business partnering within the business. Partnering with the local leadership team the Finance Director will assist the CEO on the development of the commercial and operational strategy to achieve the organization’s long term vision of becoming The World’s Most Admired Travel Services Provider, whilst ensuring that expected shareholder returns are achieved and governance is maintained.

 The ideal candidate for this role will have a thorough understanding of Financial and Management Accounting with a strong focus on Governance, risk management and financial planning & reporting. Whilst commercial finance and business partnering are important for potential future developments, they should in no way be the primary focus of this role in the short to medium term.

 Ideally the selected candidate will be either an existing CFO OR a Finance manager with the drive and ambition required to grow with the business. International experience in multiple jurisdictions within the middle east and/or south Asia regions will be well regarded.

Accountabilities:

Plan

• Management and continuous improvement of existing local governance frameworks in order to protect shareholder value;
• Ensure local controls are maintained and are highly effective in all sites and ensure that the substantiating documentation is approved per dnata policies;
• Responsible for the regular review of risks (both financial and otherwise) ensuring management review and mitigation;
• Ensure all statutory compliances like GST, TDS, FEMA, PF, ESI, PT, Income Tax including timely deposit of statutory dues and filing of periodic returns

Deploy

• Analyse and assess capital expenditure and other strategic investments and recommend optimal actions;
• Identify and implement technologies and policies to ensure effective business management;
• Partner with the Senior team to develop customer proposals/tenders and negotiations;
• Perform regular visits to all sites in order to build solid operational understanding and collaborate on efficiency projects to ensure industry leading performance;
• Responsible for building relationships with dnata and Emirates Group functions in Dubai, including Treasury, Audit, Commercial and Finance;
• Manage relationships with external banking partners;
• Collaborate as part of the global “one dnata” finance community, adding value and driving process improvement projects

Lead

• As a member of the dnata India Executive Management team, role model a culture of open communication, clear direction, accountability, collaboration and performance management to deliver against the one dnata vision, mission and values;
• Lead, direct and manage a strong and effective, ensuring that collaboration and team effectiveness are focus areas, and ensuring the operating model maximizes opportunities for, and the strengths of, the team. Establish ongoing team development opportunities;
• Implement and maintain the succession plan for critical roles within the finance function.

Execute

• Representation to the Board of Directors on all matters;
• Accountable for closing of accounts on a monthly basis, including preparation and submission of monthly financial reporting along with variance analysis to local management and Group finance;
• Lead the rolling forecast and annual budget process, and provide long-term business planning support to deliver financial information at all levels of the business to proactively drive business performance;
• Manage the annual audit and compliance process by liaising with external auditers, plus ensure compliance with all internal group reporting deadlines (e.g. quarter end and half year end reporting);
• Working capital management inclusive of cash flow forecasting and management of funding requirements;
• Management of billing and receivables to ensure customer payment within contractual terms;
• Support the operational teams in their management of external suppliers and contracts;
• Securing all accounting, secretarial, tax and all ancillary records as per requirements mentioned under applicable laws;
• Handling statutory and tax audits for their smooth closure;
• Handling assessments / inspections initiated by income tax, TP, GST, PF and other departments

Qualifications & Experience

Qualification/ Skills/ Experience/ Knowledge

• Proven track record of exceptional performance and delivery
• A professional qualified degree from a recognized accounting body e.g. ACA, CIMA, ACCA
• 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in Finance and Accounting management
• Experience of implementing and managing the ongoing use of an ERP system
• Fully conversant and up-to-date with all aspects of local Indian corporate and/or financial legislation including tax and best practice
• Comprehensive knowledge of the Travel industry and accounting procedures involved
• Fluent in English
• Advanced in the use of MS Office applications and financial systems

Skills Required

• Travel
• ERP