Finance Director, APAC

Brooks Running; United States; Remote; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global brand is seeking an experienced Finance Director to establish and lead the finance function for its expanding operations in the Asia Pacific region. This pivotal role involves building a high-performing finance team and ensuring compliance across multiple countries. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills and a deep understanding of financial operations in a dynamic environment.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of progressive experience in (international) Finance.
• 7+ years of experience in shaping a finance function in a fast-growing company.

Responsibilities

• Define, implement and oversee all financial operations for the APAC region.
• Provide financial insights and recommendations to senior management.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Interpersonal Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree Accounting, Finance or Business Administration

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Who We Are:

At Brooks, we believe movement is the key to feeling more alive. That’s why we’re driven to create gear and experiences that take people to the place that makes them feel more alive — whether it’s a headspace, a feeling, or a finish line.

Everyone who works at Brooks is propelled by a company culture that sparks excitement, fuels collaboration, inspires creativity, and ignites innovation.

Our brand values help bond us together and drive our success:

· Runner First

We act in the best interest of the runner

· Word is Bond

We do what we say we’ll do

· Champion Heart

We give our all in everything we do

· There is no “I” in Run

We stay generous with our humanity

· Keep Moving

We find ways to move every day, because joy is kinetic!

We welcome everyone from every walk of life looking to inspire others through the power of movement — because we’re all moving towards something. Let’s run there.

Your Job :

We are looking for an experienced financial professional to build and lead the finance function for Brooks, our expanding operations in the ASIA region. This pivotal role will be responsible for establishing robust financial infrastructure, providing strategic financial leadership and ensuring compliance across the region. Initially, the Finance Director will be instrumental in setting up all core finance processes and systems. With the expansion of Asia Pacific operations, this role will eventually encompass the leadership and development of a high-performing finance team.

Our ideal candidate is a motivational and inspirational leader, with the ability to manage, engage and develop teams. In this role you will lead the shared service finance function for all entities in the region (China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Taiwan, Distributors, Trade Partners and any new regions as required). You will report directly to the CFO in Seattle with a strong dotted line to the General Manager, International Markets in Shanghai and you will work closely together with regional leaders.

This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the financial future of a leading global brand in a key strategic region.

Your Responsibilities:

• APAC Finance Leadership

• Define, implement and oversee all financial operations for the APAC region, including accounting, cashflow management, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and compliance.
• Take full responsibility for financial and non-financial reporting, including, but not limited to, flash reporting, quarterly U.S. GAAP consolidated reporting inputs, annual financials, local files, and statistical reporting.
• Collaborate effectively with relevant departments and external advisors to ensure transparent reporting to all stakeholders and compliance with local reporting requirements.
• Provide financial insights and recommendations to senior management to support strategic decision-making.
• Drive the quarterly budgeting cycle, ensuring alignment with the company's strategic objectives and providing financial leadership and consulting support to business leaders as needed.
• Manage Facilities and other office related functions
• Represent the company to external stakeholders, including suppliers, banks, and regulatory authorities as statutory director/signatory in all APAC legal entities under the guidance of the corporate legal team.
• Oversee all financial operations for the APAC region, including accounting, cashflow management, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and compliance
• Identify and mitigate financial risks, ensuring the protection of company assets.
• Oversee fiscal compliance in all APAC regions in line with the tax control framework.
• Implement robust risk and internal control measures to minimize potential financial risks and maintain compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Develop and implement financial policies, procedures, and systems to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and compliance.
• Manage foreign exchange and navigate the changing global landscape including geopolitical risks, economic volatility and evolving regulatory environments, to minimize potential business impacts.

• Strategic Planning and Execution

• Maintain a helicopter view of business operations, with a deep understanding of business models and KPI’s to provide a well-balanced opposing view and ability ask critical questions.
• Partner with the CFO and General Manager, International Markets to develop and implement financial strategies that support the company's rapid growth trajectory, in particular for capital investments, pricing decisions and contract negotiations. Provide strategic financial counsel to the APAC leadership team, supporting data-driven decision-making and driving profitable growth.
• Drive long-term planning with APAC Leadership to build teams, frameworks and systems that best support key initiatives, programs, and projects.

• Cross Functional Influence and Alignment

• Partner with APAC HR on the implementation of employee benefits.
• Build partnerships and alignment with cross-divisional partners to implement and insert Finance strategies.
• As a proactive business partner, build trusted relationships with other leaders at Brooks, and lead or support cross-functional projects as needed.

• Innovation
• Identify areas for process improvements, driving automation and operational efficiency within financial workflows. Lead ERP system review and implementation of changes if necessary.

• Accountability

• Lead the development and management of the annual department budget.
• Demonstrate extreme enterprise accountability in managing the Finance function.
• Align financial, people and business resources to functional roadmap priorities.
• Anticipate, communicate and proactively manage opportunities and challenges for the Finance function.

• People Leadership

• Develop, lead and manage a high-performing finance team, including the FP&A, Procure to Pay, Financial Controlling, and Accounts Receivable functions.
• Ensure the organizational structure is adequate for executing departmental goals and objectives.
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge. Support direct reports in the same development activities.
• Demonstrate strong leadership skills rooted in Connect principles (our management development program).
• Promote Brooks’ Core Cultural Values: Responsible for team culture and keep a pulse on morale to proactively address any concerns.
• Create an organizational design to align with business strategy and conditions.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive environment that empowers every individual to contribute fully.
• Provide career-development planning, coaching, training and support teams to create and foster a culture of learning, personal development, curiosity and innovation.
• Model leadership behavior across the organization.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree Accounting, Finance or Business Administration. Professional certifications (CA, CFA, ACCA) are a plus.
• 12+ years of progressive experience in (international) Finance within a mid-sized organization, preferably in the retail or sporting goods industry.
• 7+ years of experience in shaping a finance function in a fast-growing company with a high level of change and dynamism.
• Experience leading a Finance team in a growth environment.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with ERP systems (Infor M3 a plus) and business intelligence reporting.
• Strong knowledge of US GAAP, IFRS and European (preferably NL GAAP and German GAAP) accounting regulations and compliance requirements.
• Hands-on experience in accounting, fiscal reporting and audit. Big four experience a plus.
• Fluency in English (absolute must), other European language skills are a plus.
• A passion for running and practicing an active lifestyle.
• Unwavering demonstration of Brooks’ corporate values

At Brooks, we celebrate diversity & equity. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment, and encourage people of all backgrounds, perspectives, experiences, and skills to apply. Brooks is proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, two-spirit identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, the presence of a physical, mental, or sensory disability, marital status, pregnancy (including childbirth and related conditions), caste, citizenship or immigration status, honorably discharged veteran or military status, actual or perceived victims of domestic violence, harassment, sexual assault or stalking, HIV or Hepatitis C infection, political ideology, use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability, or on any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law, or any other non-merit based factors.