Head of Commercial Finance

Commercial Finance | FP&A | Investment Analysis | Multi-Entity Group About the RoleMilane Group is seeking an experienced, commercially minded finance leader for a shared role supporting two distinct businesses: Milane Group, a diversified international private investment group, and Forbes Australia, a leading media and publishing business. This is a hands-on strategic finance role combining commercial financial analysis, financial planning and analysis (FP&A), business modelling, cash flow management, investment evaluation and financial reporting.We are looking for someone who has personally built and implemented financial frameworks, improved profitability visibility and supported senior leadership in making commercially sound decisions. This is not a traditional CFO position focused primarily on managing a finance department. It requires someone equally comfortable developing financial strategy and executing the detailed analysis behind it.ResponsibilitiesForbes Australia | Commercial Finance & ProfitabilityDevelop integrated three-year P&L models, financial forecasts and business cases for existing products and new commercial opportunities.Evaluate product feasibility, pricing, unit economics, contribution margins and profitability across multiple revenue streams.Design and implement practical overhead allocation methodologies to establish accurate, defensible product-level margins.Model opportunities to commercialise existing audiences and customer relationships through memberships, subscriptions, premium services and new revenue models.Analyse customer acquisition costs, retention, lifetime value and the financial viability of expanding products and services.Establish and maintain rolling six-month cash flow forecasts, identifying liquidity risks and working capital requirements.Translate financial analysis into recommendations that improve commercial performance, margins and resource allocation.Milane Group | Strategic Finance & Investment AnalysisAssess and improve the group's financial systems, reporting processes and management information to establish reliable, scalable financial visibility.Develop consolidated financial reporting across multiple entities, currencies, jurisdictions and investments.Establish integrated budgets, forecasts, cash flow reporting and financial performance analysis across the group.Build financial models to evaluate new investments, acquisitions, diversification opportunities and capital allocation decisions.Assess investment returns, valuations, liquidity requirements, downside risks and alternative financial scenarios.Evaluate investment opportunities against the founders' strategic direction, investment preferences and existing portfolio.Provide independent, evidence-based financial analysis and recommendations to support investment and strategic decisions.Shared Responsibilities | Financial Leadership & ExecutionProvide direct management, technical guidance and oversight of two full-time Senior Accountants, one dedicated to Forbes Australia and one to Milane Group.Oversee the accuracy, completeness and timeliness of financial reporting, reconciliations, month-end processes and underlying accounting information across both businesses.Personally lead complex financial modelling, strategic analysis and the design and implementation of financial frameworks, while delegating day-to-day accounting responsibilities appropriately.Establish clear reporting standards, accountability and effective working processes across both finance functions.Collaborate with business leaders, founders and external advisers to improve financial visibility, commercial performance and decision-making.Communicate complex financial information clearly, challenge assumptions and provide practical, evidence-based recommendations.Required SkillsRequired Experience & CapabilitiesDemonstrated experience managing and developing finance professionals, with accountability for accounting accuracy, reporting quality and financial controls.Proven ability to establish and improve financial systems, management reporting and forecasting processes across multiple entities or business units.Significant experience in commercial finance, FP&A, financial management or strategic finance leadership.Demonstrated ability to independently build complex, integrated financial models and commercial business cases.Direct experience designing and implementing cost allocation methodologies, product profitability analysis and management reporting.Strong understanding of unit economics, contribution margins, forecasting and sensitivity analysis.Proven experience managing cash flow forecasting and providing forward-looking financial visibility.Advanced Excel-based financial modelling skills and experience with financial reporting or business intelligence tools.Ability to work independently, challenge assumptions and communicate complex financial findings clearly to business owners and senior executives.Willingness to personally undertake detailed modelling, analysis and implementation rather than relying on a large supporting team.Preferred SkillsHighly Regarded ExperienceCommercial finance experience in membership, subscription, digital platform, professional community or audience-based businesses, particularly those focused on customer lifetime value, recurring revenue, product expansion and monetising established customer relationships.Commercial finance experience across diversified or multi-business groups.Family office, private investment group or investment analysis experience.Multi-entity, multi-currency and international financial reporting.Experience implementing financial reporting systems, management accounting frameworks or business intelligence solutions.