Business Manager, Finance

Edelman is a voice synonymous with trust, reimagining a future where the currency of communication is action. Our culture thrives on three promises: boldness is possibility, empathy is progress, and curiosity is momentum. 

At Edelman, we understand diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) transform our colleagues, our company, our clients, and our communities. We are in relentless pursuit of an equitable and inspiring workplace that is respectful of all, reflects and represents the world in which we live, and fosters trust, collaboration and belonging.

About the Role 

The Japan Business Manager (Finance) is a senior finance business partner responsible for driving financial performance, commercial discipline, and decision support across the Japan market. Operating at the intersection of finance, operations, and client leadership, this role ensures strong financial stewardship while enabling sustainable revenue growth and margin improvement.

Reporting to Japan Finance Director and working closely with Japan leadership team, the role translates strategic priorities into actionable financial plans, provides forward-looking insights, and strengthens governance across client portfolios and internal operations.

 Key Qualifications 

• 12+ years of progressive finance experience with strong commercial and business partnering exposure.

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field; CPA, MBA, or public accounting background preferred.

• Bilingual Japanese and English proficiency (business-level written and verbal).

• Strong expertise in financial systems (e.g. Workday) and advanced Excel.

• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and operate effectively in a matrixed, fast-paced environment.

• Strong analytical judgment and comfort navigating ambiguity and complexity.

• Demonstrated leadership capability, including coaching, prioritisation, and driving outcomes through others.

• Track record of improving financial performance, governance, and operational effectiveness.

Key Responsibilities  

1. Strategic Business Partnership & Commercial Leadership

• Act as a trusted finance partner to Japan leadership, client leads, and account teams, influencing decisions that impact revenue growth, margin, and cost efficiency.

• Provide clear, actionable insights on financial performance, key drivers, and risks, translating complex data into practical recommendations.

• Challenge assumptions and support commercially sound decisions across pricing, resourcing, and delivery strategies.

• Embed financial discipline, transparency, and accountability into day-to-day decision-making across the market.

2. Financial Planning, Forecasting & Performance Management

• Lead monthly and quarterly forecasting, ensuring accuracy, integrity, and alignment with business realities.

• Partner with business leaders on annual revenue, staffing, and investment planning, ensuring robust assumptions and clear trade-offs.

• Deliver concise financial performance packs, highlighting trends, risks, opportunities, and forward-looking implications.

• Proactively identify opportunities to improve profitability, utilization, and overall revenue quality.

3. Contracts, Pricing & Revenue Governance

• Oversee pricing and commercial governance, ensuring alignment with company policies, financial targets, and risk parameters.

• Provide leadership on complex deal structures, contract terms, and revenue recognition treatment.

• Ensure accurate project setup and commercial documentation, including deal summaries and pricing approvals.

• Monitor adherence to contractual terms and pricing standards, escalating and resolving risks as needed.

4. Financial Operations, Controls & Audit Readiness

• Own market-level financial governance across revenue recognition, project reconciliation, billing, and cash flow.

• Oversee accounts receivable health, driving timely collections and mitigating credit risk.

• Lead client audit coordination and ensure strong audit trails, documentation, and compliance.

• Continuously strengthen processes, controls, and tools to improve efficiency, accuracy, and transparency.

5. Leadership, Influence & Process Improvement

• Provide leadership and coaching to finance team members and cross-functional stakeholders (direct and/or indirect).

• Operate effectively in a matrixed environment, influencing without authority where needed.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across financial processes, reporting, and ways of working.

• Support the Finance Director in market governance, capability building, and finance transformation initiatives.

6. Success Measures (Indicative)

• Revenue and margin performance vs budget

• Forecast accuracy and quality of insights

• Cash flow and AR health

• Pricing and contract compliance

• Audit outcomes and control effectiveness

• Stakeholder confidence in finance partnership

If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t perfectly align with every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles. 

At Edelman, we understand diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) transform our colleagues, our company, our clients, and our communities. We are in relentless pursuit of an equitable and inspiring workplace that is respectful of all, reflects and represents the world in which we live, and fosters trust, collaboration and belonging. 

We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t perfectly align with every qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.