Chief Financial Officer (Real estate)

Our client in the Real Estate and Cooperative Housing sector is seeking to recruit a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to provide financial leadership and drive the success of its landmark real estate project.

The CFO will be a strategic partner to the Board, responsible for shaping financial strategy, securing project funding, ensuring regulatory compliance, and overseeing financial operations. This role requires a forward-thinking finance executive with a proven track record in real estate or infrastructure project finance.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Design and implement financial strategies that enable the successful execution of large-scale real estate projects.
• Provide forward-looking insights on funding structures, market opportunities, and risks to guide Board decisions.
• Align financial planning with cooperative principles of sustainability, member value, and long-term asset growth.

Project and Capital Financing

• Lead negotiations with banks, pension funds, private equity, and development finance institutions to secure project funding.
• Develop innovative financing models, including public-private partnerships (PPPs), blended finance, and long-term debt structures.
• Monitor utilization of project funds to ensure cost discipline and timely delivery.

Financial Management and Controls

• Oversee day-to-day financial operations including budgeting, treasury, and cash flow management.
• Implement strong internal controls and reporting frameworks to safeguard assets and promote transparency.
• Ensure compliance with IFRS, cooperative laws, and Nigerian real estate regulations.

Stakeholder and Investor Engagement

• Act as the lead financial representative in discussions with regulators, investors, and external partners.
• Build trust with cooperative members by communicating financial performance, risks, and project updates clearly.
• Develop investor materials and present financial projections to attract and retain funding partners.

Risk and Compliance Oversight

• Identify and manage financial risks related to land acquisition, construction costs, interest rates, and market shifts.
• Ensure compliance with tax laws, cooperative legislation, and governance standards.
• Establish policies for ethical financial management and prudent risk-taking.

Leadership and Organisational Development

• Mentor and develop the finance team, creating a high-performing unit capable of supporting large-scale projects.
• Introduce financial technology tools for efficiency, reporting, and decision-making.
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and service to members.

Reporting Structure and Relationships

• Reports to the Board of Directors.
• Works closely with Project Managers, Operations, and External Advisors to ensure financial alignment with project goals.
• Engages with funding partners, regulatory agencies, and cooperative members.

General Expectations

1. Drive financial sustainability while upholding cooperative values.
2. Maintain transparency and accountability in all financial dealings.
3. Ensure cost-effectiveness in project delivery without compromising quality.
4. Pursue innovation in financing models and reporting systems.

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related discipline (MBA/Master’s preferred).
• Professional certification (CFA, ACCA, ICAN, or equivalent) strongly desirable.
• At least 10 years of progressive senior financial experience, with a minimum of 5 years in real estate, infrastructure, or cooperative finance.
• Proven experience raising capital for large-scale projects.
• Strong negotiation, communication, and leadership skills.