Finance Director - Information Technology

Job Title: Global Data and Technology Finance Director
Work Level: 3X
Location: UK


JOB PURPOSE

Unilever is on a bold journey to become a future-fit, AI-enabled organisation. Our ambition is to embed artificial intelligence and advanced technologies at the heart of our business, driving radical simplification, sustainable growth, and competitive advantage whilst maintaining resilience. Through technological investments, strategic initiatives, robust partnerships, and a culture of continuous learning, Unilever is transforming how we innovate, operate, and deliver value to consumers and society. The Finance Director for Data and Tech will partner this bold ambition, ensuring that our investments deliver, measureable impact, long term value and sustainable growth.
This is an exceptional role which merges financial expertise with cutting-edge technology, revolutionizing processes and driving future growth. You’ll be the finance leader in Unilever’s IT leadership teams, collaborating with CETO, CISO, and IT leaders, guiding investment decisions that enhance financial performance.
You will be responsible for optimizing around €200m of IT capital investment and around €800m of overhead investment.
You’ll lead a team of senior finance business partners in London and Bangalore, focusing on high performance and talent management. You will closely partner with the Mirai Finance team on a significant ERP transformation programme.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Deliver Value from Data & Technology Strategy:
• Develop and implement the IT strategy for the next 3 years with CETO/Product and Cyber leads
• Bring the Data & Technology strategy to life for the finance function, tracking implementation and value delivery
• Collaborate closely with the Mirai Finance team on ERP transformation
Drive Value in IT Investments:
• Provide financial frameworks for IT investment programs, including working on AI, cloud optimisation, software licencing, vendor rationalisation and both insourcing and outsourcing.
• Support project prioritization and funding decisions.
• Evaluate business cases for new IT projects.
• Lead value tracking and measurement for IT investments
Transformative partnerships:
• Partner with procurement on transformational partnerships with Tech vendors, evaluating pricing and investment models and managing financial risk.
Performance Management:
• Collaborate with Central Finance Excellence team to drive excellence in reporting, forecasting, and analysis
• Manage impact of stranded costs from the Ice Cream group demerger
• Steer budget and forecast management for overhead spend (~€800m)
Key contacts will include:
• GDT/GBS VP Finance
• CIO/CISO/CDO
• VP’s and Directors within the IT organisation
• Colleagues in the UniOps Finance Leadership Team
• Functional Finance Representatives E.g. Controller SCF, Controller, GCAD


EXPERIENCE

• Ability to operate and prioritize in a demanding environment
• Abilitity to drive decision making by recommending, communicating and acting on findings.
• Strong commercial acumen and supplier-facing skills
• Team leadership and coaching in virtual, culturally diverse teams
• Knowledge of a wide range of financial processes and aptitude for virtual working
• 12–15 years’ relevant experience in finance/accounts, ideally with IT knowledge
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and influencing skills
• Professional finance qualification (CA, ACCA, CIMA, MBA)

LOCATION

In September 2020, Unilever announced the intention to build a new sustainable campus site in Kingston, London. This site will house some employees who currently work in 100 Victoria Embankment in Blackfriars together with colleagues who are currently located in Lever House in Kingston. We are excited to be creating our own Unilever sustainable, agile work environment. The campus is due to be completed in 2026.

WHAT WE OFFER

Not only do we offer a competitive salary and pension scheme, we also offer an annual bonus, subsidised gym membership, a discounted staff shop and shares. You’ll have the opportunity to work directly with our renowned and exciting brands in a flexible and hybrid working environment.

Whilst the role is advertised on a full-time basis, we would be happy to discuss possible flexible working options and what this may look like for you. We are a key advocate of wellbeing and offer a variety of support for our people including hubs, programmes and development opportunities. We strive to achieve a family-friendly and inclusive workplace and to, above all, create possibilities for all.

Diversity at Unilever is about inclusion, embracing differences, creating possibilities and growing together for better business performance. We embrace diversity in our workforce. This means giving full and fair consideration to all applicants and continuing development of all employees regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy and maternity. We are also more than happy to provide reasonable adjustments during our application and interview process to enable you to be present your best self. To find out more, including about our Employee Resource Groups, please click here Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at Unilever | Unilever.

RECRUITMENT FRAUD

Cyber criminals advertise fake job adverts with prestigious employers as a way of stealing information or even defrauding individuals out of money. In the most sophisticated cases, they will set up fake websites, which have a similar address to companies like Unilever. They even conduct fake telephone interviews and then offer candidates a role with the proviso they pay a fee for background checks or to cover work visa costs.  These types of attacks are becoming more common as more people are looking for employment in the economic climate.

How is Unilever tackling this?

Many of Unilever’s recruitment sites publish a warning to candidates about recruitment fraud. The Cyber Security team also proactively scan for signs of people setting up fake Unilever sites and act to close them down.

What can I do?

If you become aware of potential recruitment fraud, spot fake Unilever recruitment adverts or fake LinkedIn profiles, report them via Una Live Chat.

Unilever does not accept responsibility or liability for any candidates who are financially impacted by recruitment fraud. Your vigilance is key!