Principal - Finance Transformation

JOB DESCRIPTION Position: Principal - Finance Transformation Function: Technology / Finance Transformation Reporting To: CFO / VP Finance Location: Hyderabad PREFER CANDIDATES WHO ARE AVAILABLE FOR CLIENT INTERVIEW ON AUGUST 10, 2026. ROLE PURPOSE The Technology Principal – Finance will be a strategic technology partner to the CFO / VP Finance , responsible for defining and executing a 12–24 month Finance Technology vision that delivers measurable business and financial outcomes. The role goes beyond traditional IT delivery. The leader will shape how AI, automation, data and technology transform Finance operations , including close, forecasting, AP/AR, FP&A, reporting and controllership. The successful candidate will combine Finance domain understanding, technology strategy, AI, commercial leadership and execution capability , with accountability for measurable efficiency and EBITDA impact. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Finance Technology Strategy Own the 12–24 month technology vision and roadmap for Finance , aligned to business and financial priorities. Translate strategy into quarterly execution plans , investments, milestones and measurable outcomes. Define opportunities to modernize, simplify and automate Finance technology and processes. Establish priorities across Finance applications, data, analytics, automation and AI. 2. AI & Finance Transformation Develop and drive a practical AI strategy for Finance . Identify where AI can materially transform: Financial close and controllership Forecasting and FP&A Accounts Payable / Accounts Receivable Management reporting Finance operations and shared services Financial controls and decision support Build business cases for AI / automation initiatives and drive them from pilot through scaled adoption. Ensure AI investments are tied to measurable business value rather than technology experimentation. 3. CFO / Finance Leadership Partnership Act as a trusted technology advisor to the CFO, VP Finance and Controllers . Present technology strategy, business cases, investment proposals, risks and trade-offs directly to senior Finance leaders. Translate complex technology concepts into financial, operational and business outcomes . Challenge existing approaches and recommend technology and operating-model improvements. Demonstrate previous transformation outcomes with specific, quantified examples . 4. Value Creation & Business Impact Own the business case and value realization for Finance technology investments. Track outcomes including: EBITDA / cost impact Productivity gains Finance process efficiency Close-cycle reduction Forecasting improvements AP/AR automation Working-capital improvement Risk and control improvements Ensure technology programs deliver measurable outcomes beyond project completion. 5. Vendor & Commercial Management Own strategic Finance technology vendor relationships end-to-end. Lead vendor evaluation, negotiation, commercial terms, contracting and renewals. Own negotiation outcomes, including legal and contractual follow-through , rather than handing off after commercial discussions. Partner with Procurement and Legal while retaining accountability for the outcome. Establish vendor performance governance and drive cost and value optimization. 6. Transformation Execution Govern Finance technology initiatives from strategy through implementation, adoption and value realization . Identify execution risks, dependencies and resource requirements. Ensure technology programs remain aligned to Finance priorities. Build effective partnerships across Finance, Technology, Data, Security, Procurement and external partners. KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS Success will be measured by: Measurable EBITDA / cost-efficiency impact from Finance technology initiatives. Productivity improvements across Finance. Reduction in close and other Finance process cycle times. Improved forecasting and planning efficiency. AP/AR automation and working-capital benefits. ROI and payback from AI / automation investments. Successful execution of the 12–24 month Finance Technology roadmap. Vendor cost optimization and commercial value realization. Adoption and business impact of AI-enabled Finance capabilities. CFO / Finance leadership satisfaction with technology partnership. EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS 10 - 15 years of experience in Technology, Finance Technology, Digital Transformation, Enterprise Applications, Technology Consulting or related areas. Strong experience partnering directly with CFOs, Controllers, VPs of Finance or senior Finance leadership . Proven ownership of Finance technology strategy and transformation. Experience developing and executing 12–24 month technology roadmaps . Strong understanding of Finance processes including Record-to-Report, Procure-to-Pay, Order-to-Cash, FP&A, Forecasting, Close & Consolidation, AP/AR and Management Reporting . Demonstrated experience applying AI, automation, analytics or emerging technologies to Finance . Strong vendor management and commercial negotiation experience, including contracts. Proven record of delivering measurable financial, productivity or operational outcomes from technology investments. MUST-HAVE CANDIDATE EVIDENCE Candidates should be able to demonstrate specific examples of: A Finance technology strategy they personally authored and executed. A Finance transformation delivering measurable cost, EBITDA or productivity impact . An AI / automation initiative applied to Finance. Direct influence on a CFO / VP Finance / Controller decision. A major technology vendor negotiation personally led through commercial and contractual closure. Transformation of Finance processes such as Close, Forecasting, AP/AR or FP&A . A technology investment where they owned business-case and value realization , not merely project delivery. IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE The ideal candidate is a CFO-facing Finance Technology strategist and transformation leader combining: Finance Technology Strategy AI / Automation Commercial Acumen Transformation Execution Quantifiable Value Creation. This is not a conventional Finance IT, ERP Project Management, Technology Operations, Vendor Management or PMO role. The ideal leader can credibly answer, with evidence: “What should Finance technology look like 12–24 months from now?” “Where will AI materially change Finance operations?” “What measurable financial value have you personally delivered through technology?”