Finance Director - Information Technology

Finance Director - Information Technology

Work Level: WL3

Location: Kingston Head Office

JOB PURPOSE

Information Technology is a key enabler for Unilever to achieve its overall ambitions as the world evolves to a more digital environment and all functions seek to use technology as a key part of their strategies. The annual spend on IT in Unilever is around ₠1.1Bn. A further 200 Million is spent every year in capital investments for new capabilities.

The main purpose of this role is to act as the lead business partner to the IT function, representing finance in the IT Leadership Team and acting as finance business partner to the CIO as the business makes significant capital investments, increases its use of the cloud and moves to a platform based structure. Key activities will include leading a team of 15 business partners, split between the UK and Bangalore, preparation and review of business cases for major projects, negotiation with suppliers, ensuring that financial targets are met whilst in addition ensuring full alignment with the rest of the business.

Specifically, in the area of alignment, the next step in the evolution of finance business partnering in IT is to ensure that the voices of the clusters, functions and categories are taken more into account in long-term investments, and that there is a shared understanding about future costs and benefits from investments, before significant funds are committed.

As a learning experience, this job gives a unique insight into the world of technology and specifically the way in which the business models of IT suppliers are evolving.

Key contacts fall into two categories: firstly, those within IT, who are based largely in the key IT hubs of Kingston, Port Sunlight and Bangalore who deliver and run the IT operations and secondly the wider business which uses and ultimately pays for the services

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure the CIO delivers the annual IT budget.
• Provide the financial framework for IT investment programs, ensuring that all major projects are supported by a business case and benefits promised are recognised and delivered by those responsible for delivery.
• Work with the CIO and the office of the CIO to develop the overall strategy for IT.
• Lead the process of engagement with clusters, providing transparency on the costs of IT and collating their input for future investment.
• Provide financial input, and ultimately sign off for major IT contracts
• Complete the implementation of Apptio - the ITBM tool for providing cost transparency.
• Drive the decommissioning of obsolete services and equipment
• Develop the capabilities of the overall ETS finance team and act as the UK representative in the UKI FRC

ALL ABOUT YOU

• The role will require the holder to apply demonstrate knowledge of a wide range of financial processes with good aptitude for outsourcing and virtual working
• Ability to operate in a highly focused, entrepreneurial environment
• Drive decision making by recommending, communicating and acting on findings
• Ability to rapidly absorb new information and manage process changes
• The role also requires strong supplier facing skills and will have significant interaction with external service providers
• Strong change management skills required to implement new ways of working in IT and the impact of future finance

Minimum Requirements

• Excellent inter-personal, communication and influencing skills
• Experience of working in multi-national teams and/or a virtual team environment
• Relevant / Professional finance qualification: e.g. CA, ACCA, CIMA or MBA

Desired Requirements

• Business partnering skills from global or regional category, customer, supply chain environment
• Understanding of Unilever overheads reporting and analysis, and taxation

NOTE:

Please apply online and add your PDP if possible. Your application will be reviewed against our requirements and we will be in touch to provide you with an update on the status of your application.

By applying for this vacancy, you are confirming that you have made your Line Manager aware of your application and that you are at a point in your career with Unilever where it is appropriate for you to be applying for other positions.

Should you require additional information, please contact Recruiter Anshika on Anshika-Dua.Suri@unilever.com