Finance Director – Japan

Mission

Japan is a key region for Colt Data Centre Services and includes 6 operational data centres and 2 more under development. The Regional Head of Finance for Japan will have full responsibility for all financial matters in Japan including operational sites and sites under development.

The role will also be responsible for resourcing and managing the Japan finance team so that it can achieve all the goals of the company. In order to do this, building a strong, knowledgeable and independent team is critical.

There are several key stakeholders for the role, including the Regional VP, who helps deliver the business strategy and objectives for the Region; investors in the data centres, located in both Tokyo and Boston; and the Colt DCS Group Finance team, based in London.

Responsibilities

Leadership and Management

• Leadership and development of the Colt DCS Japan finance function
• Active member of the Japan Senior Management Team contributing to business-wide success
• Effective and efficient financial business partnering with local and group function leads, including provision of high quality financial information, analysis and value add insight
• Responsibility for outsourced finance functions
• Shareholder and board management and reporting
• Leadership and management of the local operational Procurement team and function

Financial Performance, Reporting and Planning

• Financial planning and strategy, including annual budget, quarterly reforecast and long term projections
• Budget (operational and project) management and ownership, ensuring Colt DCS Japan meets its financial targets
• Reporting of regional financials including P&L, Balance Sheets and Cash Flows
• Revenue management including maximisation, calculation, billing and collection
• Commercial support when negotiating contracts and fees with customers
• In collaboration with the business improving data centre profitability, yields and returns
• Identifying financial efficiencies, revenue opportunities and cost savings

Governance and Control

• Ensure adherence to financial regulations and standards including corporate governance policies
• Ensuring processes, controls and policies are followed and feed into improvements
• Provide challenge and governance sign-off to the commercial models assumptions and returns
• Ensure project costs are reconciled within all systems, reports and agreed with cost consultants
• Identity, manage and mitigate financial risk
• Responsibility for local statutory reporting
• Responsibility for routine tax matters and support on strategic tax areas
• Monitoring and reporting project approvals including board and CPA status and ensuring all project governance processes are followed

Tax, Treasury and Cash Management

• Responsibility for local cash and treasury management
• Input into regional treasury matters
• Short, medium and long term cash flow forecasting

The Team

The role forms a core part of the DCS leadership team in Japan. This role reports to the Head of Asia and the Global CFO, forming part of the company's global finance function. As a key department in the business, the team interacts will all other DCS divisions such as Real Estate, Operations, Information Technology, Legal, Sales, Human Resources, and our outsourced accounting provider. The team also interacts directly with our key shareholders.

The Skills and Expertise You Bring

• Professional financial qualification or graduate level degree in a finance related field.
• 8+ years in a similar role or one leading up to this position
• Strong Japanese and English language skills (verbal and written both) are required to support the needs of local stakeholders, overseas Colt offices and international stakeholders
• Good knowledge of the Japan and European businesses cultures and the ability to bridge seamlessly from one to the other
• Strong team building and team management skills
• Ability to quickly adapt to new requests and a changing business environment while effectively prioritizing tasks
• Confidence in own abilities to effectively challenge assumptions and requests while maintaining good relationships
• Proactive and independent in terms of managing the responsibilities and communicate effectively with all stakeholders (internal/external)

What We Offer

We offer skill development, learning pathways and accreditation to help our people perform at their best, regardless of role and location In addition to offering competitive salaries and incentive plans, a range of benefits and local rewards packages are offered to staff. Colt DCS recognises the importance of a work life balance. Some benefit examples are:

• Pension and insurance options
• Annual paid vacation - 21 days per year
• Paid sickness and injury leave - 7 days per year
• 2 days annually to spend on volunteering opportunities
• Benefit Station - Services provided miscellaneous discounts on wellness / leisure etc.
• Hybrid working and relaxed dress code
• Commutation allowance - Max. 50,000 yen per month
• Retirement allowance