CFO/Finance Director

Ignite Search & Selection; Dubai; On-site; AED 600,000 - 1,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Ignite Search & Selection is representing a premier UAE construction contractor seeking an experienced CFO/Finance Director to oversee all financial operations, strategy, cash flow, and governance across high-value civil projects in Dubai.

The role reports to the Board and requires 15+ years of leadership in construction finance, with expertise in IFRS 15, treasury management, and risk governance. UAE-based candidates will be prioritized.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or Economics from an accredited university.
• Professional qualification (CPA, CA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent) is mandatory.
• Minimum 15+ years of solid finance leadership experience within the civil building construction and contracting sector in the GCC/UAE.

Responsibilities

• Formulate and execute financial strategies, annual budgets, corporate forecasts, and long-term financial models.
• Manage project cash flows, working capital, banking facilities, credit lines, LCs, and bank guarantees for large-scale construction contracts.
• Oversee project costing, revenue recognition (IFRS 15), subcontractor payments, variation evaluations, and financial performance tracking across active sites.
• Establish and enforce robust internal financial controls, corporate governance policies, tax compliance (UAE Corporate Tax & VAT), and enterprise risk frameworks.
• Cultivate strong relationships with financial institutions, auditors, tax authorities, JV partners, and key project stakeholders.
• Lead, mentor, and direct the finance, accounting, payroll, and internal audit teams across corporate and project locations.

Skills

Finance leadership

Strategic planning

Cash flow forecasting

IFRS 15 - revenue recognition

Risk management

Governance & compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or Economics

Professional qualification (CPA, CA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent)

Job description

Our client, a premier construction contractor in the UAE, is seeking an experienced and strategic CFO / Finance Director to oversee all financial operations, fiscal strategies, cash flow management, and commercial governance across high-value civil building construction projects in Dubai. Reporting directly to the Board / Executive Leadership, the CFO / Finance Director will play a vital role in steering financial planning, risk mitigation, banking relations, project accounting, and strategic decision-making to drive profitability and long-term organizational growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial Strategy & Leadership: Formulate and execute financial strategies, annual budgets, corporate forecasts, and long-term financial models in line with company business objectives.
• Cash Flow & Treasury Management: Manage project cash flows, working capital, banking facilities, credit lines, letters of credit (LCs), and bank guarantees (PGs) tailored to large-scale construction contracts.
• Commercial & Project Accounting: Oversee project costing, revenue recognition (IFRS 15), subcontractor payments, variation evaluations, and financial performance tracking across active sites.
• Governance & Risk Management: Establish and enforce robust internal financial controls, corporate governance policies, tax compliance (UAE Corporate Tax & VAT), and enterprise risk frameworks.
• Banking & Stakeholder Relations: Cultivate strong working relationships with financial institutions, auditors, tax authorities, JV partners, and key project stakeholders.
• Team Leadership: Lead, mentor, and direct the finance, accounting, payroll, and internal audit teams across corporate and project locations.

Education

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, or Economics from an accredited university. Professional qualification (CPA, CA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent) is mandatory.

Experience

Experience: Minimum 15+ years of solid finance leadership experience within the civil building construction and contracting sector in the GCC/UAE.

Financial Mastery

Financial Mastery: Deep expertise in construction accounting, project cash flow forecasting, JV accounting, claims/commercial finance, and GCC tax regulations.

Banking Capabilities

Banking Capabilities: Proven track record in structuring bank facilities, trade finance, performance bonds, and high-value project funding.

Leadership & Strategy

Leadership & Strategy: Exceptional strategic thinking, analytical rigor, executive presence, and stakeholder negotiation skills.

Availability

Availability: Candidates locally available in the UAE with no visa restrictions will be prioritised.