The Finance Director is the strategic finance business partner to the Country General Manager and regional leadership, providing commercial and financial leadership to drive sustainable business growth and value creation. The role is responsible for leading the country's financial planning and analysis, business partnering, commercial deal evaluation, financial reporting, governance, and compliance, while ensuring strong financial controls and operational excellence.
Working closely with commercial, marketing, A&R, business development, legal, and regional finance teams, the Finance Director provides financial insights to support strategic initiatives, artist investments, licensing and distribution agreements, and other commercial opportunities. The role leads budgeting, forecasting, business case development, and performance management to support informed decision-making and deliver business objectives.
In addition to its strategic focus, the role oversees all aspects of the country finance function, including accounting, treasury, cash flow management, financial reporting, tax, audit, internal controls, and statutory compliance, ensuring adherence to company policies, IFRS, and local regulatory requirements. The Finance Director also drives process improvements, cost optimisation, and effective risk management while partnering with regional finance and shared service teams to deliver a high-performing finance function.
What you'll do
Business Partnering, Commercial Finance & Strategic Planning
- Partner with the Country General Manager (GM), Regional Managing Director, and cross-functional teams including Commercial, Marketing, A&R, Business Development, Legal, and Business Affairs to evaluate business opportunities and strategic initiatives.
- Act as the trusted finance business partner, providing commercial and financial insights to support strategic decision-making and sustainable business growth.
- Identify and evaluate new business opportunities, investments, partnerships, and commercial transactions by developing financial models, business cases, and scenario analyses.
- Lead the annual budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes for the country, ensuring alignment with regional and global objectives.
- Deliver insightful management reporting, financial analysis, and performance scorecards to country and regional leadership, providing recommendations to improve profitability and operational efficiency.
Commercial Transactions, Artist Deals & Strategic Investments
- Provide financial leadership and commercial support for artist signings, licensing agreements, royalty arrangements, publishing, distribution, and other commercial transactions.
- Evaluate deal economics, profitability, recoupment structures, investment returns, and financial risks associated with artist contracts and commercial agreements.
- Partner with Legal and Business Affairs during contract negotiations and deal execution.
- Support strategic investment initiatives and M&A activities by performing financial analysis, due diligence, valuation, and post-investment performance monitoring where applicable.
Financial Planning, Reporting & Performance Management
- Drive budgeting, forecasting, cost management, and financial planning in accordance with global finance processes.
- Ensure accurate revenue, cost, and cash flow forecasting while monitoring performance against financial targets and key business metrics.
- Prepare monthly management reports, financial dashboards, variance analyses, and forecasts for country management and regional finance.
- Manage affiliate performance reporting and maintain a single source of financial data for business decision-making.
Finance Operations & Financial Control
- Lead the country finance function, overseeing accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, treasury, payroll, royalty processing, cash flow management, and month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close activities.
- Ensure accurate preparation of financial statements (P&L, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow) in accordance with IFRS, company policies, and local statutory requirements.
- Drive operational excellence, finance process improvements, and automation initiatives to enhance efficiency and strengthen financial controls.
- Maintain effective governance frameworks, finance policies, and internal controls to safeguard company assets and ensure compliance.
Risk Management, Governance & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with corporate policies, IFRS, local statutory requirements, tax regulations, and internal control standards.
- Manage statutory audits and maintain relationships with external auditors, tax advisors, and regulatory authorities.
- Oversee corporate income tax, GST/VAT, withholding tax, transfer pricing, and statutory reporting obligations.
- Monitor cash flow, liquidity, and financial risks while safeguarding company assets and investments.
- Drive cost control initiatives, manage operating expenses and headcount budgets, and ensure efficient use of financial resources.
- Ensure timely royalty processing, financial reconciliations, and resolution of operational backlogs.
Who you are
Experience
- 10–15 years of progressive finance experience spanning commercial finance, FP&A, financial control, and business partnering, with a proven track record in multinational organisations. Experience in the media, entertainment, consumer, or other fast-paced industries is an advantage.
- Solid experience within a medium-sized to large international organisation, partnering closely with regional finance teams while serving as the finance lead for an in-country business.
- Proven ability to act as a strategic finance business partner within a matrix organisation, influencing senior stakeholders and supporting commercial decision-making.
- Demonstrated track record of combining strong financial and commercial acumen to identify business risks and opportunities, drive FP&A initiatives, and support sustainable business growth.
Capabilities
- Strategic Finance & Business Partnering: Strong expertise in financial planning and analysis, budgeting, forecasting, financial modelling, business case development, performance reporting, and commercial decision support.
- Finance Leadership & Operational Excellence: Proven ability to lead finance operations, strengthen governance and internal controls, optimise finance processes, and drive continuous improvement through automation and operational excellence.
- People & Stakeholder Leadership: Effective leader with experience developing high-performing teams and building trusted relationships with business leaders, regional finance, artists and their ecosystem, and internal and external stakeholders across a matrix organisation.
- Commercial & Analytical Acumen: Strong strategic, analytical, and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate financial insights into actionable recommendations, balancing commercial objectives with financial discipline and risk management.
Education and Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Commerce, Business, or a related discipline; an MBA in Finance or Accounting is an advantage.
- Professional accounting qualification such as CPA, CA, ACCA, or equivalent preferred, with strong knowledge of IFRS, financial reporting, tax, statutory compliance, ERP systems, and advanced financial analysis tools.
- Fluent in both English and Malay.
What we give you
- An opportunity to influence the strategic direction of our Southeast Asia business
- The ability to foster innovation and make a significant impact on the domestic music industry in Southeast Asia
- You join an inclusive, collaborative, and global community that empowers you to drive the creative journey
- A modern office environment designed to foster productivity, creativity, and teamwork
- We are committed to investing in your personal growth and development.
Equal Opportunities:
As an active part of a culturally and socially diverse society, Sony Music’s aim is that our workforce is diverse and inclusive. Sony Music is an equal opportunity employer and supports workforce diversity.
We employ, retain, promote and otherwise treat all employees and job applicants according to their merit, qualifications, competence and talent. We apply this policy without regard to any individual’s sex, race, religion, origin, age, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition or disability.
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