Associate Vice President, Finance

Saks Global India; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 6,000,000 - 9,000,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading luxury retailer seeks an experienced AVP, Finance to lead and scale the Finance organization in India. This pivotal role will oversee multiple finance functions, ensuring alignment with global standards and strategic governance. Candidates should have 18-20+ years of progressive Finance experience, possess a relevant degree, and demonstrate expertise in financial leadership and digital transformation. The position offers a strategic opportunity in a collaborative environment focused on driving excellence and innovation in luxury retail.

Qualifications

• 18–20+ years of experience across Finance functions such as Accounting, FP&A, Corporate Finance, AP, Payroll, or Procurement.
• Proven expertise in shared services or centralized operating models.
• Strong people leadership experience managing multi-functional finance operations.
• Demonstrated success in automation and digital enablement.
• Strong understanding of finance systems and operational controls frameworks.
• Experience in process re-engineering, automation, and digital enablement (AI/ML, RPA, workflow tools).
• Strong understanding of finance systems (e.g., Workday) and control frameworks (SOX or internal audit).
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with clear communication and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Finance function with strategic oversight across key areas.
• Build an operating model balancing innovation and delivery excellence.
• Partner with senior leaders to shape long-term Finance strategy and governance.
• Sponsor finance transformation programs focused on automation and digital tools.
• Establish performance dashboards and governance mechanisms.
• Partner with CFO, Site Leader, and global leaders to shape long-term finance strategy.

Skills

Financial leadership

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Process re-engineering

Decision-making

Workday

SOX & internal audit

Education

Bachelor's degree/Master's degree in Finance

Tools

Workday

RPA tools

Automation platforms

Job description

Saks Global is the largest multi-brand luxury retailer in the world, comprising Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks OFF 5TH, Last Call and Horchow. Its retail portfolio includes 70 full-line luxury locations, additional off-price locations and five distinct e-commerce experiences. With talented colleagues focused on delivering on our strategic vision, The Art of You, Saks Global is redefining luxury shopping by offering each customer a personalized experience that is unmistakably their own. By leveraging the most comprehensive luxury customer data platform in North America, cutting-edge technology, and strong partnerships with the world's most esteemed brands, Saks Global is shaping the future of luxury retail. Saks Global Properties & Investments includes Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus flagship properties and represents nearly 13 million square feet of prime U.S. real estate holdings and investments in luxury markets.

About the Role

The AVP, Finance will lead and scale the Finance organization at the Saks Global India, overseeing Accounts Payable, Accounting, Corporate Finance, FP&A, Procurement, & Payroll. This role sets the strategic Finance direction for the site, ensures strong governance, and builds efficient, future-ready capabilities that drive accuracy, compliance, cost optimization, and strategic decision-making. It combines enterprise-level thinking with hands‑on leadership to shape the Finance operating model and elevate performance. This leader will partner closely with global Finance counterparts and India-based vertical leads to strengthen alignment, develop talent, and position Finance as a trusted business partner. They bring clarity, influence, and sound judgment, effectively balancing innovation with disciplined execution while cultivating a collaborative, high‑performing culture.

Responsibilities

• Enterprise Finance Leadership & Strategic Direction
• Lead the Finance function within the GCC, providing strategic direction and oversight across Accounts Payable, General Accounting, FP&A, Procurement, Payroll, Vendor Control, and Sales Audit.
• Define the Finance charter for the site, ensuring strong alignment with global Finance leadership, enterprise priorities, and financial integrity standards.
• Build an operating model that balances innovation with disciplined execution, strengthening governance and elevating delivery excellence across all Finance verticals.
• Embed financial rigor and scalability into decision‑making, driving consistency, efficiency, and operational integrity across global Finance operations.
• Partner closely with the CFO, Site Leader, and global Finance leaders to shape long‑term Finance strategy, transformation priorities, and governance frameworks.
• Functional Oversight Through Leaders
• Lead and coach functional heads across AP, Payroll, Accounting & Site Finance, FP&A, Procurement, Sales Audit, and Fraud, ensuring delivery of financial accuracy, compliance, service excellence, and transformation outcomes.
• Establish clear KPIs, governance structures, review cadences, and escalation frameworks for each functional leader to drive consistency and high performance.
• Build a unified leadership culture that strengthens collaboration and operational alignment across all Finance verticals.
• Define and govern the integrated Finance operating model, ensuring seamless handoffs, standardised processes, and high‑quality service delivery across sub‑functions.
• Identify and drive cross‑functional synergy opportunities across AP, FP&A, Fraud, Procurement, and Accounting to enhance efficiency, strengthen controls, and scale operations.
• Establish robust governance mechanisms — including performance dashboards, operating reviews, KPI frameworks, and risk mitigation structures.
• Transformation, Digital Enablement & Process Excellence
• Sponsor and steer finance transformation programmes focused on automation, standardisation, data quality, AI/ML use cases, and digital finance maturity.
• Partner with Technology, Data, and Transformation teams to advance the Finance tech ecosystem (Workday, AP automation, reconciliation platforms, FP&A tools, vendor management systems, fraud analytics solutions).
• Ensure adoption of scalable processes, modern digital tools, and strong control frameworks to elevate operational effectiveness across all Finance teams.
• Financial Planning, Analytics & Performance Steering
• Ensure the FP&A function delivers high‑quality enterprise forecasts, budgets, and performance insights aligned to strategic priorities.
• Lead executive‑level performance reviews with the CFO, founders/leadership, and the board (as applicable) through functional leaders.
• Cross‑Functional Alignment & Stakeholder Influence
• Act as a strategic partner to the CFO, business unit heads, People Team, Technology, Legal, Procurement, and other functions to align finance operations to enterprise needs.
• Build strong external partnerships with auditors, tax advisors, consultants, and technology vendors.
• Leadership & Talent Development
• Lead, coach, and elevate senior Finance leaders, building a high‑performing and future‑ready leadership bench across all Finance verticals.
• Strengthen organisational design, succession pipelines, and capability development to support scalable growth and functional excellence.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, operational rigor, and continuous improvement.
• Influence across global and India leadership to embed financial discipline, strategic thinking, and data‑driven decision‑making.
• Demonstrate strong executive presence and change leadership, enabling teams to navigate transformation while attracting, developing, and retaining top Finance talent.

Qualifications

• 18–20+ years of progressive experience across Finance functions such as Accounting, FP&A, Corporate Finance, AP, Payroll or Procurement.
• Bachelor’s degree/Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, Commerce, or related fields.
• Advanced understanding of statutory requirements, taxation, compliance, and global finance processes.
• Proven expertise and exposure to shared services or centralised operating models.
• Strong people leadership experience managing multi‑functional or large‑scale finance operations.
• Demonstrated success in process re‑engineering, automation, and digital enablement (AI/ML, RPA, workflow tools).
• Strong understanding of finance systems (e.g., Workday) and operational controls frameworks (e.g., SOX or internal audit standards).
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills with the ability to manage complexity and prioritise effectively.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence across multiple functions and geographies.