Head of Commercial Finance, NG & EWA

Unilever is currently hiring for a Head of Commercial Finance, NG & EWA

Function: Finance
Reports to: Head of Finance EWA
Location: Lagos, Nigeria
Terms & Conditions: Full time

At Unilever, everything we do is driven by purpose. This is an opportunity to help shape a better business and a better world through the impact of your work.

We’re looking for a Head of Commercial Finance, NG & EWA to lead financial strategy, governance, and performance delivery across one of Unilever’s most complex and dynamic markets. This role combines commercial finance leadership with full end‑to‑end finance accountability, ensuring sustainable growth, strong governance, and long-term value creation.

You’ll be part of a team that believes in doing work that truly matters — for people and the planet.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Finance Leadership – Nigeria

• Act as a strategic business partner to the Managing Director, jointly accountable for delivering in-year performance, profitable growth, value creation, and cash
• Lead the 3-year strategic and financial planning horizon, including strategic choices, resource allocation, and investment prioritisation
• Drive Integrated Business Planning (IBP) across Nigeria markets to align demand, supply, financial targets, and execution
• Own the S&OP cadence, business performance reviews, and monthly/quarterly rhythm within the market
• Partner cross-functionally (Sales, Business Operations, Marketing, HR) to deliver topline, margin, and cash performance
• Support the MD on high-sensitivity topics, including business cases, investment decisions, and strategic trade-offs
• Provide deep financial insight into a market with distinct regulatory, commercial, and operational dynamics
• Engage with customers and represent Finance in commercial and strategic forums
• Actively contribute as a member of the Nigeria Leadership Team, with strong linkage to regional and global finance leadership
• Lead and develop direct reports within Commercial Finance, building strong capability and performance culture

Head of Finance – Nigeria (Enterprise & Governance Scope)

• Provide end-to-end finance leadership for Nigeria, ensuring integration across Commercial Finance, Supply Chain Finance, FET, Controllership, Tax, Treasury, and Shared Services
• Act as the “Face of Finance” for Nigeria, representing the function internally and externally
• Hold Statutory Director responsibility for Nigeria entities, ensuring fiduciary, governance, and legal compliance
• Own financial controls, reporting integrity, compliance, and risk management across the market
• Lead finance risk assessments and ensure mitigation actions are embedded in business execution
• Ensure statutory accounts, audits, tax filings, and regulatory submissions are delivered accurately and on time
• Act as primary interface with external stakeholders including auditors, banks, insurers, and advisors
• Ensure adherence to Unilever global finance policies, controls, and standards
• Strengthen finance talent capability, succession, and performance across the Nigeria organisation

Additional Board Responsibilities (Listed Entity)

• Act in the best interests of the company and all shareholders, beyond management priorities
• Exercise independent judgment in board-level decision-making, including in relation to executive leadership
• Demonstrate duty of care, diligence, skill, and good faith in all governance matters
• Ensure full transparency and avoidance of conflicts of interest in all decisions and actions

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field AND CPA
• Significant experience (10+ years) in Finance leadership roles, including Commercial Finance and business partnering
• Proven ability to operate at Executive / Leadership Team level
• Strong experience in emerging markets or complex, regulated environments
• Deep understanding of financial planning, governance, risk management, and compliance
• Demonstrated ability to influence and partner with senior stakeholders internally and externally
• Strong leadership capability with experience managing large, diverse finance teams
• Commercial acumen with ability to link strategy to financial outcomes and value creation

Why Join Unilever?
• Work for one of the world’s most purpose-led and trusted brands.
• Drive meaningful impact on business capability and performance.
• Be part of a supportive, culture driven environment that values people and growth.
• Enjoy opportunities for regional exposure and professional development.

Unilever is an organisation committed to equity, inclusion and diversity to drive our business results and create a better future, every day, for our diverse employees, global consumers, partners, and communities. We believe a diverse workforce allows us to match our growth ambitions and drive inclusion across the business. At Unilever we are interested in every individual bringing their ‘Whole Self’ to work and this includes you! Thus if you require any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at the time of your application so that we can support you through your recruitment journey.