Key Responsibilities:

Financial Leadership and Strategy:

- Develop and execute the company's financial strategy to enable sustainable growth, profitability, and shareholder value.

- Lead FP&A activities including budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, scenario planning, and KPI development.

- Drive futuristic financial thinking by identifying new business models, monetization strategies, pricing optimization, and capital allocation opportunities.

- Establish and maintain robust financial controls, policies, and procedures to support scale.

Fundraising and Capital Markets:

- Lead fundraising efforts across advanced Series rounds (e.g., Series C/D and beyond), including investor targeting, due diligence support, term sheet negotiations, and closing processes.

- Prepare the company for IPO readiness: build and audit financials, internal controls, governance documentation, and investor materials; coordinate with auditors, legal counsel, and stock exchanges.

- Manage relationships with investors, banks, and strategic partners.

Compliance, Governance, and Risk:

- Ensure comprehensive compliance with accounting standards (e.g., Ind AS/IFRS as applicable), tax regulations, financial reporting requirements, and corporate governance best practices.

- Oversee risk management including internal controls, SOX-lite considerations, data privacy, and regulatory scrutiny.

- Direct HR and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DHRP) practices in financial operations, ensuring fair, compliant, and inclusive processes.

Cross-Border and Global Finance:

- Manage cross-border finances including multi-currency operations, transfer pricing, intercompany transactions, tax planning, and international statutory reporting.

- Coordinate treasury activities: cash management, liquidity planning, working capital optimization, and debt/credit facilities.

Stakeholder and Team Management:

- Lead, mentor, and develop the finance organization; build a high-performing team with clear accountability.

- Partner with internal stakeholders (CEO, COO, CTO, Head of Sales, Head of Product) to align financial planning with business strategy.

- Communicate financial strategy and results clearly to the board, investors, and executive leadership, translating complex financial concepts into actionable insights.

Qualifications:

- Education: Chartered Accountant (CA) with strong academic credentials.

- Experience: 20+ years of progressive experience in finance, preferably in IT/SaaS/startups.

- Track record in fundraising for advanced round funding and IPO readiness.

- Proven experience in FP&A strategy, financial planning, and analysis at scale.

- Demonstrated ability in cross-border finance management and multi-country compliance.

- Leadership excellence: experience building and managing high-performing finance teams and collaborating with diverse stakeholders.

- Strong understanding of corporate governance, risk management, and regulatory landscapes (Ind AS/IFRS, tax, statutory reporting).

- Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; comfortable presenting to boards and investors.

Personal Attributes:

- Visionary yet pragmatic: can balance long-term strategy with day-to-day operational rigor.

- Results-oriented with a proven track record of delivering measurable outcomes.

- Collaborative leader who thrives in fast-paced startup environments.

- Discretion and integrity in handling confidential information.