Finance Business Partner, Laldia Container Terminal Project

APM Terminals

Finance Business Partner, Laldia Container Terminal Project
Location: Chittagong (with travel to Dhaka)
Job Level: JL4
Reporting: HOF, LCT

About APM Terminals (APMT)
APM Terminals is a leading global port and terminal operator, part of A.P. Moller – Maersk. With operations in over 60 countries, APMT delivers integrated, efficient and sustainable port solutions, connecting global supply chains and enabling trade growth worldwide.

About Laldia Container Terminal (LCT)
Laldia Container Terminal (LCT) is a joint venture between APM Terminals and QNS Container Services Ltd. The project involves the development of a new greenfield container terminal in Chittagong, Bangladesh. Once commissioned, LCT will significantly enhance Bangladesh’s port capacity, strengthen regional trade connectivity, and support Maersk and other customers with improved operational efficiency and service reliability.

Role Overview
The purpose of this position is to support the Terminal Head of Finance and collaborate closely with the Terminal Managing Director, Project Director, and other key functions in the overall management of the project, with a strong focus on establishing the finance function and related processes. The role includes supporting the setup and continuous monitoring of governance, accounting and reporting, financial and operational controls, performance management, funding, procurement, taxation, preparation of board reporting and insurance. It ensures full compliance and close coordination with shareholder, HQ functions as well as local authorities. Additionally, the position is responsible for tracking the project budget, expenditure and managing reporting requirements of banks and internal stakeholders. It also includes establishing, implementing, and operating an interim financial system during the startup phase, followed by transitioning to APMT corporate systems once the terminal becomes operational.

• As an initial member of the finance team, take full end-to-end ownership of the finance function together with the HOF, operate effectively with a lean team, and handle both strategic responsibilities and hands on operational tasks during the startup phase. The priority is to establish core finance processes and systems while also supporting other functional activities during the startup and project phase.
• Key initial responsibility will be to support the external vendor who will handle accounting during the initial phase until migration to APMT corporate systems. This will include collating and coordinating all required information internally and providing the necessary inputs to the external vendor to complete accounting activities accurately and on time.
• Once the decision is taken to implement APMT corporate systems, act as an aspiring partner to guide on local regulations in collaboration with external vendors, challenge assumptions, support HQ implementation teams and participate in testing to ensure outputs meet required standards.
• Support the HOF in designing and implementing end-to-end finance processes and internal controls across interim systems and later APMT corporate systems.
• Provide accruals and other month end data to respective teams
• Handle auditor queries
• Support budgeting and forecasting activities in alignment with HQ timelines
• Coordinate OneStream reporting, working with external teams during the initial phase and internal teams once corporate systems are implemented, ensuring timely book closure
• Handle maker/checker responsibilities for banking proposals and ensure adherence to control requirements
• Ensure all balance sheet reconciliations, vendor reconciliations, and other key reconciliations are completed on time by relevant teams
• After APMT corporate systems go live, coordinate closely with internal accounting, reporting, and shared services teams for smooth ongoing operations
• Collaborate with the HOF to support overall project management and ensure delivery in line with the decision base and approved budget
• Shift focus from project setup to operational performance once the construction phase is complete, supporting performance management in the running terminal
• Lead preparation of presentations and finance related materials to support the HOF in interactions with the JV partner and provide key support to the MD and Head of Portfolio in broader JV related discussions
• Prepare material to support HOF and MD in engagements with relevant government bodies
• Support compliance with concession, shareholder, and financing agreements, as well as internal policies, procedures, standards, and accounting principles
• Support preparation and management of reporting requirements for financial institutions (including IFC), internal stakeholders and local authorities
• Interact regularly with banks, prepare funds flow reports, and recommend transfers to optimize cash and reduce idle balances
• Assist the HOF with funds utilization reporting and cashflow forecasting in coordination with the Project Controls Lead
• Provide local assumptions for the assumption register for the Investment Follow-up (IFU) process and support scenario analysis of different business case assumptions
• Support the HOF in establishing strong internal controls and managing finance matters related to shareholders
• Monitor and assess SLA and quality of finance deliverables from interim external consultant and other internal stakeholder

Experience:

• Strong understanding of project implementation, including management of budget, time and scope
• Minimum 6 years of progressively responsible finance and accounting experience
• Experience in establishing finance functions and processes is preferred
• Prior experience in Tax & compliances, regulatory reporting, banking and treasury will be an added advantage

Skills:

• High integrity with the ability to exercise caution, judgement and confidentiality with a compliant mindset being upright
• Entrepreneurial and constant care mindset, with the ability and willingness to build finance processes, systems and controls from the ground up, not only operate in already established environments.
• Strong working knowledge of accounting systems/ software and high proficiency in Excel
• Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to extract, compile, analyse and visualise data
• Strong planning and organisational abilities
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and strong interpersonal skills
• Exceptional time management skills in a fast paced, demanding environment
• Excellent command of the English language
• Strong stakeholder management skills and team management skills

Education:

Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), or equivalent qualification preferred

Maersk is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we embrace different styles of thinking. Maersk is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants without regard to race, colour, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy or parental leave, veteran status, gender identity, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with all legal requirements.

 

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