Director of Finance at Cushman & Wakefield in Chicago, Illinois

Job Description:

Job Title
Director of Finance



Job Description Summary

The Finance Director directs the Financial Control activities for a real estate services / facilities management Global Occupier Account. Services include the operations and maintenance of office facilities within strict compliance with KPI's stated within the Management Agreement, Policies and Procedures, and defined reforecast objectives. Working with the Managing Account Director, the successful candidate will be responsible for facilitating and ensuring budgetary control, adherence to reforecasts, oversight of the day-to-day activities of the finance team, accurate financial management and reporting of the account and lead procurement for the client team. The Finance Director ensures that the Account's finance function is organized, efficient and produces accurate results in compliance with the Management Agreement. Specific goals include recommendations to encourage the continuous improvement of financial performance.
Job Description


The Finance Director will be proactive member of the Account Management Team with direct involvement in and accountability for the overall financial performance.


KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE


• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or related field or equivalent experience


• Graduate work or CPA certification preferred


• 10 years' experience in real estate industry, including at least 5 years in commercial property management


• 5 years supervisory or equivalent experience


• Understand SOC1 and SOX Compliance


• Excellent analytical and mathematical skills


• Proven track record of consistently surpassing the expectations and requirements of internal stakeholders and clients.


• Working experience with real estate accounting systems, preferably Yardi, as well corporate reporting systems.


• Experience as a department head including business planning, budgeting, personnel management and staff modeling.


• Ability to manage, coach and counsel a team of financial professionals in the performance of their duties and identified goals and objectives.


• Must be a strong team player with an ability to build effective working relationships with individuals, and client representatives


• Energetic, lateral thinker with an enquiring mind and a commercial approach


• High degree of personal drive and motivation to succeed


• Strong communicator (written and verbal), with high quality report writing skills


• Committed to achievement of assigned goals and targets.


• Ability to multi-task and maintain progress on multiple projects and processes.


PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES


Stakeholder & People Management:


• Finance lead and business advisor to Account Director


• Management of the finance function and oversight of the finance team.


• Anticipates the needs of the client to ensure that financial management continually adds tangible value.


Financial Reporting:


• Work with the Financial Team to ensure proper accounting and reporting of expenses and business tax implications (e.g., VAT, GST, TDS)


• Preparation of global budgets, forecasts and cash flow reporting


• Forecasting, financial modeling and expense analysis


• Responsible to identify potential risks and upsides to Budget or Forecast


• Maintenance of financial ledgers and accounting processes and controls


• Cash management and oversight of expense disbursements


• Timely production of internal financial reports


• Monthly preparation of Monthly Funding and financial reporting to client.


• Monthly preparation of Consolidated P&L and Balance Sheet


Continuous Improvement:


• Ensure high standards of financial control are maintained and that appropriate systems and internal controls are implemented, reviewed and validated.


• Works closely with Finance Platform to ensure that financial management for all core and major accounts conform with Global Occupier Services standards


• Identifies best practices, continually enhancing efficiencies, and improving quality.


• Actively participates in training programs for core and major accounts financial employees (and clients who choose to participate)


• May conduct seminars and other programs that enhance employees' skills as well as improve employees' morale and job satisfaction


• Takes a lead role in staff meetings/conference calls with Group Client Accounting Managers to discuss strategies and tactics as well as pending financial issues


Cushman & Wakefield also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health, vision, and dental insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life, and disability insurance programs, and paid and unpaid time away from work. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, Cushman and Wakefield provide eligible employees with competitive pay, which may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, total hours worked, job type, business line, and applicability of collective bargaining agreements.


The compensation that will be offered to the successful candidate will depend on factors such as whether the position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement, the geographic area in which the work will be performed, market pay rates in that area, and the candidate's experience and qualifications.


The company will not pay less than minimum wage for this role.


Cushman & Wakefield provides equal employment opportunity. Discrimination of any type will not be tolerated. Cushman & Wakefield is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.


In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position at Cushman & Wakefield, please call the ADA line at 1-888-365-5406 or email HRServices@cushwake.com . Please refer to the job title and job location when you contact us.