India Head of Finance

India Head of Finance

Our client is a well-established international industrial technology group with a strong reputation for engineering excellence, operational discipline, and long-term investment in advanced manufacturing environments.

With a solid international footprint and a collaborative cross-border structure, the company supports demanding industrial customers through high-value engineered solutions, process optimisation, and long-term operational support.

To support its continued development in India, the company is looking to appoint a Head of Finance based in Bangalore.

This is a key leadership role for a senior finance professional who can combine financial rigour, local execution capability, and the ability to work confidently with international stakeholders in a structured multinational environment.

Main purpose of the role

The Head of Finance will lead the full finance and accounting scope for the Indian entity, ensuring sound financial operations, strong compliance, reliable reporting, effective internal controls, and quality decision support for the business.

The role requires someone able to operate at the intersection of Indian business realities and international corporate expectations, while acting as a trusted partner to both local management and group-level stakeholders.

Key responsibilities

Finance leadership

• Lead and manage the local accounting and finance function
• Develop, strengthen, and document finance processes, governance practices, and internal controls
• Support the development and performance of the local finance team
• Ensure a high standard of discipline, transparency, and accountability across finance activities
• Coordinate effectively with internal departments and business leaders to support operational and strategic priorities

Financial operations

• Oversee the smooth execution of accounting operations across accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, treasury, and closing activities
• Ensure timely and accurate month-end and year-end close processes
• Maintain a robust control environment over accounting transactions and financial documentation
• Ensure the quality and integrity of financial data and reporting
• Support cash visibility and, where relevant, foreign currency exposure management

Reporting and planning

• Deliver timely and accurate local financial statements
• Provide complete and reliable reporting to international headquarters
• Coordinate the preparation of budgets, forecasts, and variance analysis
• Monitor costs, margins, and financial performance indicators
• Provide specific financial analysis to support business decisions and management priorities
• Escalate significant financial issues where appropriate and propose corrective actions

Compliance, audit, and control

• Ensure full compliance with Indian statutory, tax, and regulatory requirements
• Coordinate all necessary support for annual external audits
• Oversee the accurate and timely filing of applicable tax and statutory returns
• Ensure alignment with group rules, reporting standards, and internal control policies
• Manage relationships with banks and relevant external financial stakeholders
• Help ensure the overall fiscal consistency of the company's operations in India

Candidate profile

• Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field
• CA qualification is a plus
• Strong finance and accounting experience, including significant leadership responsibility in India
• Proven track record in senior finance roles within structured multinational environments
• Solid understanding of Indian finance, taxation, compliance, statutory requirements, and reporting practices
• Strong exposure to financial statements, general ledger management, closing processes, budgeting, and forecasting
• Good command of internal controls, governance disciplines, and matrix reporting structures
• Demonstrated ability to partner with both local business leaders and international headquarters
• Excellent communication skills in English, both written and verbal
• Candidates currently based in Bangalore, or already well integrated into the Bangalore business environment, will be particularly relevant
• Additional European language skills, including Italian, would be considered an advantage
• Candidates bringing substantial academic and/or professional exposure to European or North American institutions, business environments, or corporate cultures will be especially relevant for this role

What will make the difference

We will be particularly interested in candidates who combine:

• a strong understanding of the Indian operating environment
• comfort working with the pace, expectations, and reporting discipline of an international group
• maturity in cross-cultural communication
• the ability to translate local realities into clear financial insight for global stakeholders
• a hands-on approach, with enough seniority to bring structure, credibility, and stability to the function

Why this opportunity

This role offers the opportunity to take full ownership of the finance function of a growing India operation within a respected international industrial group.

It will suit a finance leader who enjoys combining operational control, compliance rigour, business partnership, and international exposure in a role with real visibility and impact.

Application

For a confidential discussion, please contact us directly.