Head of Finance

Our client is a leading firm dealing in the Oil and gas sector & Energy Commodity Trading. With a commitment to excellence and innovation, it strives to deliver high-quality products/services while fostering a positive work environment for its employees. In continuation of its expansion and growth, the company is seeking a dynamic individual as the Head of Finance

Job Summary:

Our client seeks a dynamic, strategic, and hands-on Head of Finance to oversee all financial functions within its oil & gas operations. The ideal candidate will bring versatile experience across finance disciplines, including financial planning & analysis (FP&A), treasury, project finance, cost control, compliance, and investor relations. Crucially, the candidate should possess a strong foundation in AI-powered analytics to optimize performance and drive strategic decision-making across the organization.

Key Responsibilities:

• Originate and execute profitable oil and gas trading deals across West Africa, including spot and term contracts.

• Lead the company's overall financial strategy, planning, budgeting, and forecasting in alignment with business goals.

• Develop a comprehensive AI adoption strategy for finance functions, ensuring alignment with industry standards and company objectives.

• Oversee day-to-day financial operations, including accounting, treasury, taxation, and reporting.

• Oversee AI-powered financial data management systems for accuracy, security, and compliance.

• Partner with IT/Data Science teams to develop intelligent dashboards, real-time analytics, and automated financial reporting tools.

• Apply AI insights to improve supply chain management, fuel trading, inventory control, and OPEX/CAPEX analysis.

• Position the company as a pioneer in adopting cutting-edge AI solutions within the Oil & Gas sector

• Use AI-driven insights to evaluate and prioritize funding for renewable energy projects and sustainable practices.

• Manage capital raising efforts, including project financing, debt structuring, and investor engagement.

• Provide commercial support to trading, operations, and project teams by developing financial models, feasibility analyses, and pricing strategies.

• Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting by IFRS and industry best practices.

• Monitor and optimize cash flow, working capital, and funding for ongoing operations and capital projects.

• Oversee compliance with tax, regulatory, audit, and internal control requirements across jurisdictions.

• Drive implementation and improvement of ERP systems, financial processes, and controls.

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing finance team.

• Provide key insights and presentations to executive leadership and the board for strategic decisions.

Key Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or a related field. A Master's degree (e.g., MBA) or professional certifications (ACCA, CFA, CPA) are strongly preferred.

• 1015 years of progressive finance experience, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role within the Oil & Gas sector.

• Versatile experience across upstream, midstream, or downstream segments (e.g., E&P, refining, trading, logistics).

• Strong background in financial management, project evaluation, CAPEX/OPEX control, and cost recovery (especially for upstream or joint venture operations).

• Proven track record in capital raising, including working with banks, DFIs, investors, and financial advisors.

• Demonstrated experience deploying AI or advanced analytics tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau, Alteryx, SAP Analytics Cloud, or custom ML models).

• Strong knowledge of financial systems (e.g., Oracle, SAP, NetSuite) and digital transformation best practices.

• In-depth knowledge of tax structures, joint venture accounting, crude lifting, and royalty regimes applicable in Nigeria and West Africa.

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and leadership skills.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, ERP platforms (SAP, Oracle, etc.), and financial modeling tools.

• Experience working with regulatory bodies such as FIRS, NUPRC, NMDPRA, and NEITI is a plus.