Client Finance Manager SMB

Job Title

Job Description Summary

Job Description

Key Relationships

Internal Relationships:       

• Head of Finance & Finance Director

• Senior IFM Leadership Team

• FP&A & Controllership Team

• Account Director(s)

• Operations/ Facilities Management/ Property Management

• Finance Shared Services

External Relationships:

• Head of Real Estate

• Contract Management/ Governance

• Finance Manager/ Head of Finance

• Principal Adviser Asset Management

• Property/ Leasing Management

• Operations/ Facilities Management

Job Purpose

• The purpose of this role is planning (ie budgeting), reporting, managing relevant financial and non-financial information plus supporting the account director in delivering the client’s annual operating plan (SMB Portfolio).

Accountabilities

Monthly reporting

• Client Finance Lead SMB is responsible for the hiring and development/mentoring of all the direct reports with succession plans in place.

• Senior point of escalation for client finance delivery across SMB IFM clients

• Monitoring of performance to ensure delivery of Cushman & Wakefield’s financial KPI targets under the contract.

• Translation of data into meaningful information at Executive and operational manager level as required to enhanced procurement strategy.

• Identification, tracking and supporting delivery of initiatives.

• To provide leadership and management for any client escalations including management of any client audits and performance improvement plans

• Regular meetings with business partners to support and ensure their financial and operational KPIs are met.

• Accountable for reviewing profit & loss – accrual sign-off, prepayments and variance commentary.

• Ensure completion of accurate balance sheet reconciliations. This includes actions to manage and clear outstanding queries and / or aged items

• Ensure AASB16 Compliance across SMB portfolio where in scope.

Budgets/ Planning

• Responsible for the delivery of the client’s annual budgets and periodic forecasts:

• Define, review, and agree the key assumptions, process and outputs with the client and internal team

• Support each business stream to complete their annual budget.

• Bottom-up build of each individual property’s cost base including rent, outgoings, utilities, facilities management costs and contractual/other price escalations.

• Identification of potential risks impacting the full year budget and development of initiatives across the portfolio.

• Analytical reviews (e.g. year on year, walkthroughs) and deep understanding of outputs. Completion of presentations to each business stream (e.g. facilities management, property management and procurement).

Risk/ Controls

• Ownership and responsibility of client finance related controls and Cushman & Wakefield SOX controls. This involves working with the client teams and liaising with internal and potentially external auditors.

Contract Management

• Responsible for the financial management of client(s) contract profitability (i.e., Corporate P&L) to Cushman & Wakefield. Annual Operating Plan / budget, monthly prep and review with the account director and internal stakeholders

Projects/ Improvements

Ad hoc projects

• Proactively review systems / processes to innovate and continuously improve business performance and workplace experience

• Ensure governance of key client processes between the various client teams is in place and monitored on a regular basis.

The Role

• Performing support to colleagues of an Operational / Service Delivery role on the account or in a functional area;

• Roles covered include, Facilities Managers (site specialist, portfolio or regional), Workplace Managers, Portfolio Managers etc.

• Responsible for carrying out the plan from the leadership team and client at the operational level.

• Provision of effective and high-quality delivery of services to clients.

Competencies – Relationship Management

Existing Clients

• Ensures that Cushman & Wakefield is strongly represented and make sure that all work is of the highest quality

• Flexible in approach and pivots to meet changing clients’ needs

• Proactively builds rapport with clients (at the respective level), and ensures to meet their needs to minimise escalations

• Immediately raises key blockers with leaders to avoid unnecessary escalations to senior clients

• Ability to recognise and flag a cross-selling opportunity with immediate leadership

• A strong understanding of how the role fits into the overall account and actively works to deliver seamless linkages to other work areas as applicable

Other

• Performs other duties as requested by your direct manager

• Occasional requirement to work extended hours during peak times or to assist with major functions/events

• Development/ maintenance of operational standards / process maps and playbooks / operating manuals for all aspects of the business

• Presentations to internal and client stakeholders

General Responsibilities

• Articulate and live the Cushman & Wakefield culture, model organisational values and required behaviour and hold others (employees and peers) accountable for their actions by identifying and acting on behaviour which is inconsistent with agreed standards

• Comply with all Cushman & Wakefield systems that are in place to meet the health and safety obligations of the organisation

• Work safely and avoid placing yourself or anyone else’s health and safety at risk by your acts or omissions

• Comply with Cushman & Wakefield Environmental policies and adhere to procedures and work instructions that are relevant to your activities

• Actively participate within a community or practice group within Global Industrial Services business by sharing information and strategies that result in the best outcomes for the client and Cushman & Wakefield

• Understand the Cushman & Wakefield brand and expertise of services delivered to ensure all opportunities to provide a full-service offer to clients and staff is available

• Regularly engage with the Cushman & Wakefield GOS & IFM teams to leverage their knowledge

• Comply with Cushman & Wakefield delegations policy

Background and Experience

• Strong internal relationship management, influencing and negotiating skills 

• Facilitating and presenting concepts, analytical reasoning and using numbers to tell a story to non – finance stakeholders 

• Demonstrated ability to work autonomously and work as part of a specialised professional team 

• Ability to work with many stakeholders to get the right outcome for the client 

• Ability to challenge in a constructive manner, cope with pressure, prioritise workload and meet agreed timetables 

• Valid working rights in Australia.

Qualifications & Technical Skills

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills. Presentation to finance and non-finance stakeholders 

• Experienced Qualified Accountant (CPA/CIMA/CFA/CA preferred)

• Proven Managerial experience

• Strong IT skills, including advanced level in Excel, PowerBI. Anaplan knowledge is advantageous

• AASB16 Lease Accounting

• JDE knowledge is advantageous

Occupation specific capabilities:

• Attention to Detail

• Planning & Organisation

• Time Management

• Financial Acumen

• Communicate Effectively using verbal and business writing to all levels of client and internal organistions

• Manages Risk & Compliance

• Systems & Data Management

Organisational Core capabilities:

• Best Thinking: Strategic Thinker, Thought Leader, Commercial Awareness

• Best Results: Delivers Extraordinary Results, Leads through Change, Inspirational Leadership

• Best People: Customer Service Excellence, Grows Self & Others, Collaborates with Others

About Cushman & Wakefield

Cushman & Wakefield is a global leader in commercial real estate services, with 50,000+ employees across 60 countries. In Australia, we partner with some of the world’s leading organisations to deliver innovative property solutions across office, retail, industrial and logistics assets.

Our strength lies in our collaborative approach, deep market insight and ability to integrate services to deliver exceptional outcomes. We are driven by a client-first mindset and a commitment to excellence, empowering our people to think differently and create value at every stage of the property lifecycle.

Diversity & Inclusion

At Cushman & Wakefield, we are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences and are dedicated to creating an environment where everyone can thrive.