Head – Finance & Accounts

IIT Madras Research Park (IITMRP); Chennai; On-site; INR 5,000,000 - 12,000,000; Full time

Job summary

IIT Madras Research Park in Chennai seeks a senior finance leader to head Finance & Accounts, providing strategic financial direction and robust governance across the organisation's research park and incubation cell.

The role requires CA qualification and 15–20 years of post-qualification experience, with at least 5 years in senior leadership. Expect oversight of budgeting, grants, ERP implementation, and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• CA qualification with strong governance and financial controls.
• Experience leading finance functions in large, complex organisations.
• Exposure to project finance, capital expenditure and infra development.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic financial management aligned with long-term objectives.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting and multi-year financial planning.
• Develop financial models for infrastructure projects and funding needs.
• Manage treasury, grants, CSR and sponsored programmes.
• Ensure statutory compliance, audits and governance.
• Drive automation of finance processes and ERP implementations.
• Lead finance team and stakeholder engagement with banks, auditors and boards.

Skills

Leadership & change management

Strategic & financial acumen

Analytical thinking

Communication & stakeholder management

Education

Chartered Accountant (CA)

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Reporting to: Group Chief Executive Officer

Functional coverage: IIT Madras Research Park and IIT Madras Incubation Cell

Position: Senior Management

1. About the Organisation

IIT Madras Research Park is a Section 8 not-for-profit company established to foster industry-academia collaboration, promote research and innovation, and facilitate technology commercialisation. The ecosystem includes corporate R&D centres, Centres of Excellence, innovation programmes and startup incubation.

The organisation operates a significant research and innovation infrastructure and leases facility to corporates, startups, and other enablers to advance translational research, innovation, and scale-up of deeptech startups. Incubation Cell nurtures startups and manages government grants, CSR and institutional funds.

The Head – Finance & Accounts will play a critical leadership role in strengthening financial management, governance, operational efficiency and long-term financial sustainability across the organisation.

2. Role Purpose

To lead the overall finance and accounts function across IIT Madras Research Park and the Incubation Cell, providing strategic financial leadership while ensuring robust financial controls, regulatory compliance, transparency and efficient resource utilisation.

The incumbent will act as a strategic business partner to the Group CEO and leadership team, supporting growth, infrastructure development, financial planning, capital allocation and effective governance.

3. Key Responsibilities

A. Strategic Financial Management

• Develop and drive the organisation's financial strategy in alignment with long-term objectives.
• Advise the CEO and leadership team on financial implications of strategic initiatives, investments and business decisions.
• Develop financial models and business cases for infrastructure expansion, and new initiatives.
• Evaluate financial viability, funding requirements and risk exposure of major projects.

B. Financial Planning, Budgeting & Performance Management

• Lead the annual budgeting process, forecasting and multi-year financial planning.
• Establish budgetary controls and monitor performance against approved budgets.
• Develop financial dashboards and management information systems covering revenue, expenditure, cash flows, profitability and key financial indicators.

C. Infrastructure & Project Finance

• Oversee financial planning and management of infrastructure and expansion projects.
• Develop project financial models covering capital expenditure, operating expenditure, financing costs and projected revenues;
• Evaluate funding options, debt structures, and project financing arrangements.
• Monitor project costs, cash flows, contractual commitments and financial milestones.
• Strengthen financial controls over capital projects, procurement and vendor payments.

D. Fund Management, Treasury & Grant Administration

• Manage the organisation's treasury, liquidity, working capital, receivables and investment portfolio in accordance with approved policies.
• Develop cash flow forecasts and optimise deployment of surplus funds.
• Manage government grants, CSR Funds, institutional funds and sponsored programmes
• Ensure appropriate utilisation,tracking and reporting of restricted funds
• Monitor fund disbursement, milestone, utilisation certificates, and grant compliance
• Oversee financial aspects of startup investments, equity debt, convertible instruments.
• Track investment commitments, disbursements, valuations and portfolio performance.
• Coordinate with investment committees, fund managers and legal teams

F. Treasury & Fund Management

• Manage the organisation's treasury, liquidity, working capital, receivables and investment portfolio in accordance with approved policies.
• Develop cash flow forecasts and optimise deployment of surplus funds.
• Establish appropriate investment, treasury and risk management frameworks.

G. Statutory Compliance, Taxation & Governance

• Ensure compliance with the Companies Act, Income Tax Act, GST and statutory requirements.
• Oversee statutory audits, internal audits, tax audits and other regulatory reviews.
• Ensure timely filing of financial statements, statutory returns and regulatory disclosures.
• Collaborate with the Company Secretary, legal, auditors and professional agencies.
• Support the CEO, Audit Committee, and Board on financial matters.

H. Accounting, Controls & Systems

• Oversee accounting operations, financial reporting, accounts payable, receivables, payroll accounting and reconciliations; timely closure of accounts.
• Drive standardisation and automation of finance processes, implement ERP and digital systems.
• Strengthen internal financial controls, and risk management.

I. Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Lead and develop the finance and accounts team with clear roles, accountability and outcomes.
• Partner with Department heads and other internal teams to in financial matters.
• Represent the organisation with banks, auditors, and other stakeholders.

4. Qualifications & Experience

• Chartered Accountant (CA) from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.
• 15-20 years of relevant post-qualification experience.
• At least 5 years in a senior finance leadership role.
• Experience in managing finance functions in organisations of significant scale and complexity.
• Experience in infrastructure, real estate, technology parks, GCC or research organisations.
• Exposure to Section 8 companies and Companies Act compliance.
• Experience in project finance, capital expenditure management and infrastructure development.
• Experience in managing multiple legal entities and complex stakeholder environments.
• Exposure to ERP implementation and financial process automation, and digital transformation.
• Strong strategic and financial acumen, analytical and decision-making capabilities.
• Excellent understanding of accounting standards, taxation and statutory regulations.
• High standards of integrity, transparency and professional ethics.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work independently and engage effectively with Management and Board.
• Strong leadership, team-building and change management capabilities.

6. Compensation

Compensation will be commensurate with the candidate's qualifications, experience and demonstrated leadership capabilities.