Chief Financial Officer

Our Requirement:

We are seeking a highly accomplished and strategic Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to lead the financial management of our multi-entity, multi-location organization. As a key partner to the Promoter Directors, the CFO will act as an extension of their office on all financial, commercial, and investment-related matters. The ideal candidate will bring a forward-looking approach and deep expertise in corporate finance, treasury, and financial planning, with a proven ability to craft and execute strategy, ensure compliance, manage risk, and optimize financial performance in alignment with the company’s long-term vision.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Financial Leadership

• Act as the principal financial advisor to the Promoter Directors, shaping and executing financial strategy across the group in line with long-term growth objectives.
• Serve as the financial custodian and commercial anchor of the organization, ensuring discipline, transparency, and accountability across all business units and ventures.

1. Group Finance, Funding Strategy & Treasury Operations:

• Design and manage the group’s optimal capital structure, evaluating and executing debt, equity, and hybrid funding strategies to support organic growth, acquisitions, and diversification.
• Engage with investment banks, private equity players, and financial institutions to secure the best financing terms while balancing risk and return.
• Oversee group-wide treasury operations, ensuring prudent liquidity planning and investment of surplus funds with an emphasis on safety, yield, and compliance.
• Collaborate with investment advisors to strategically invest surplus funds in public and private markets, optimizing returns and managing exposure to interest rates, forex, and market volatility.

1. Integrated Business Planning, Budgeting & MIS

• Drive the full financial planning lifecycle—from long-term strategic planning and annual budgeting to real-time monitoring and analytics.
• Lead financial modelling, valuations, and capital deployment frameworks for strategic initiatives across the group and promoter family office.
• Manage the budgeting process across business units, collaborating with function heads to develop realistic, accountable budgets, while proactively monitoring variances and driving cost optimization.
• Negotiate major financial contracts and partnerships to support cost optimization and operational efficiency.
• Establish a robust, technology-driven MIS framework that delivers timely, accurate, and actionable dashboards, KPIs, and reports.
• Monitor and analyze P&L performance, identify trends, and initiate corrective actions to improve margins and operational performance.

1. Business Development:

• Identify, assess, and lead execution of new investments, partnerships, acquisitions, and diversification opportunities aligned with the company’s strategy.
• Lead financial due diligence, feasibility studies, valuations, and risk-return analysis for potential growth ventures and strategic transactions.
• Advise the Promoter Directors on new business proposals with structured business cases, financial models, and scenario planning to facilitate informed decision-making.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to structure deals and negotiate favourable terms.
• Monitor market trends, regulatory developments, and emerging business models in the education and allied sectors to proactively recommend strategic opportunities.

1. Compliance, Audit & Risk Management:

• Ensure adherence to all applicable tax laws, accounting standards, and regulatory frameworks across jurisdictions.
• Maintain proactive relationships with auditors, tax authorities, and regulators; oversee timely and accurate filings.
• Implement robust internal controls to safeguard company assets and uphold the integrity of financial reporting.
• Monitor evolving tax and compliance environments to identify planning opportunities and mitigate risk.
• Manage financial disputes and coordinate with external counsel where required.

1. Leadership and Team Development:

• Lead and mentor the finance teams of all business units, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with other senior executives to drive cross-functional initiatives and support the overall leadership of the company.

Qualifications and Skills:

• A Chartered Accountant (CA) qualification is mandatory.
• Minimum 15 years of overall experience, with at least 10 years in senior financial leadership roles.
• Strong leadership, negotiation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Advanced proficiency in ERP systems, financial modeling, and reporting tools.
• High standards of integrity, confidentiality, and professionalism.