VP Strategic Finance & Corporate Initiatives

Lesha Bank is searching for the greatest talent and brightest minds to contribute to the current growth phase at our bank. We are looking for top-tier individuals who are passionate and hungry to add value from day one. Every day at Lesha is different, presenting a new challenge with the opportunity to contribute and grow. We are looking for a VP, Strategic Finance & Corporate Initiatives. Role Purpose The VP, Strategic Finance & Corporate Initiatives supports the leadership team in driving strategic priorities, financial analysis, governance, performance management, and cross-functional initiatives. The role combines the analytical rigor of Big Four Audit, Transaction Services, Deals Advisory, or Corporate Finance with the execution skills required to coordinate senior stakeholders, evaluate complex business matters, and ensure that management decisions are translated into measurable actions. The position will operate across finance, strategy, governance, operations, and special projects, serving as a trusted resource to senior leadership. Key Responsibilities Executive and Strategic Support • Support the executive management in the planning and execution of strategic priorities. • Prepare executive briefings, management presentations, decision papers, and board materials. • Conduct research and analysis on financial, commercial, operational, and strategic matters. • Coordinate cross-functional initiatives involving multiple departments. • Track executive decisions, commitments, and action items through completion. • Identify issues that may affect delivery and escalate them appropriately. • Maintain clear oversight of key priorities, deadlines, dependencies, and accountable owners. Corporate Finance and Business Analysis Conduct financial and commercial analysis relating to: • Business cases • Investment opportunities • Acquisitions and disposals • Joint ventures and strategic partnerships • Capital allocation • New products and business lines • Cost optimization • Organizational restructuring • Operational improvement initiatives Prepare and review: • Financial models • Forecasts • Scenario analyses • Sensitivity analyses • Valuation assessments • Budget impact analyses • Commercial recommendations • Management decision papers Enterprise Performance Management • Monitor financial, operational, and strategic performance across departments. • Coordinate the preparation of executive dashboards and management reports. • Analyze variances against budgets, forecasts, business plans, and strategic objectives. • Identify operational bottlenecks, financial risks, delivery delays, and resource constraints. • Work with business owners to define corrective actions and implementation plans. • Follow up on agreed actions and provide regular progress reporting to management. • Support annual strategy, budgeting, forecasting, and business-planning processes. Strategic and Special Projects Manage or support high-priority initiatives, including: • Business transformation • Operating-model reviews • Organizational restructuring • Process improvement • Cost-reduction programs • Digital transformation • Post-transaction integration • Governance enhancements • Strategic partnerships • New business initiatives Responsibilities will include: • Developing project plans and timelines • Coordinating internal and external stakeholders • Monitoring risks, dependencies, and deliverables • Preparing progress reports • Escalating delivery concerns • Ensuring agreed outcomes are implemented Governance and Management Reporting • Coordinate materials for Board, Executive Committee, and management meetings. • Ensure papers are complete, accurate, concise, and submitted within required timelines. • Maintain records of decisions, actions, owners, and deadlines. • Follow up with accountable executives and departments on outstanding matters. • Support the development and enhancement of governance frameworks, policies, and reporting structures. • Coordinate with Finance, Risk, Compliance, Legal, Internal Audit, and other control functions as required. • Assist management in maintaining disciplined decision-making and accountability processes. Financial and Operational Reviews Conduct or coordinate reviews of: • Departmental performance • Investment and business proposals • Capital expenditure requests • Budget variances • Major contracts • Vendor performance • Cost structures • Operational processes • Control frameworks • Present findings to management with clear, practical, and commercially focused recommendations. Risk, Controls, and Investigative Support • Support confidential financial, operational, and governance reviews. • Assist with internal investigations, conflict-of-interest reviews, and control assessments where required. • Analyze financial records, transactions, supporting documentation, and management information. • Identify control weaknesses, inconsistencies, unusual activity, and potential areas of risk. • Coordinate with Internal Audit, Compliance, Risk, Legal, and external advisors. • Maintain strict confidentiality and professional independence when handling sensitive matters. Stakeholder Management Develop effective working relationships with: • Executive management • Department heads • Board and committee secretariats • Finance and control functions • Internal and external auditors • Consultants and professional advisors • Regulators and other external stakeholders, where applicable The Manager will be expected to challenge assumptions constructively, maintain professional objectivity, and support collaboration across the organization. Required Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or a related discipline. • Professional qualification such as CPA, ACA, ACCA, CA, CFA, or equivalent is strongly preferred. • MBA or relevant postgraduate qualification is advantageous. Required Experience • 6–10 years of relevant professional experience. • Minimum of 3–5 years of experience with a Big Four firm: PwC, Deloitte, EY, or KPMG. • Current or previous experience at Manager or experienced Assistant Manager level. • Background in one or more of the following areas: • External Audit • Transaction Services • Financial Due Diligence • Deals Advisory • Corporate Finance • Valuations • Forensic Services • Business Consulting • Corporate or industry experience following Big Four employment is advantageous. • Experience supporting senior executives or managing cross-functional projects is preferred. • Exposure to banking, investment management, private equity, financial services, or regulated organizations is advantageous. Technical Competencies • Financial statement analysis • Financial modelling • Corporate

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or a related discipline. Professional qualification such as CPA, ACA, ACCA, CA, CFA, or equivalent is strongly preferred. MBA or relevant postgraduate qualification is advantageous. 6–10 years of relevant professional experience. Minimum of 3–5 years of experience with a Big Four firm: PwC, Deloitte, EY, or KPMG. Current or previous experience at Manager or experienced Assistant Manager level. Background in External Audit, Transaction Services, Financial Due Diligence, Deals Advisory, Corporate Finance, Valuations, Forensic Services, Business Consulting. Experience supporting senior executives or managing cross-functional projects is preferred. Exposure to banking, investment management, private equity, financial services, or regulated organizations is advantageous.

Executive and Strategic Support: Support the executive management in planning and execution of strategic priorities; prepare executive briefings, management presentations, decision papers, and board materials; conduct research and analysis on financial, commercial, operational, and strategic matters; coordinate cross-functional initiatives; track executive decisions and action items; identify issues and escalate; maintain oversight of priorities, deadlines, dependencies, and owners. Corporate Finance and Business Analysis: conduct financial and commercial analysis relating to business cases, investment opportunities, acquisitions/disposals, joint ventures and partnerships, capital allocation, new products and business lines, cost optimization, organizational restructuring, and operational improvement initiatives; prepare and review financial models, forecasts, scenario analyses, sensitivity analyses, valuation assessments, budget impact analyses, commercial recommendations, and management decision papers. Enterprise Performance Management: monitor performance across departments; coordinate dashboards and management reports; analyze variances; identify bottlenecks and risks; work with owners to define corrective actions; follow up on actions; support annual strategy, budgeting, forecasting, and business planning. Strategic and Special Projects: manage or support initiatives such as business transformation, operating-model reviews, organizational restructuring, process improvement, cost-reduction, digital transformation, post-transaction integration, governance enhancements, strategic partnerships, new business initiatives; develop project plans, coordinate stakeholders, monitor risks and deliverables, prepare progress reports, escalate delivery concerns, ensure outcomes are implemented. Governance and Management Reporting: prepare board and committee materials; ensure papers are complete and submitted on time; maintain records of decisions and deadlines; follow up with accountable executives; support governance framework enhancements; coordinate with control functions (Finance, Risk, Compliance, Legal, Internal Audit). Financial and Operational Reviews: conduct or coordinate reviews of departmental performance, investment proposals, CAPEX requests, budget variances, major contracts, vendor performance, cost structures, operational processes, control frameworks; present findings with actionable recommendations. Risk, Controls, and Investigative Support: support confidential reviews, assist with internal investigations and control assessments, analyze financial records and documentation, identify control weaknesses and risks; coordinate with Internal Audit, Compliance, Risk, Legal, and external advisors; maintain confidentiality and independence. Stakeholder Management: build relationships with executive management, department heads, board committees, auditors, consultants, regulators; challenge assumptions constructively and support collaboration.