Chief Financial Officer

Venture Search; Dubai; On-site; AED 900,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Venture Search seeks a Global Chief Financial Officer to establish and lead a central finance platform supporting multiple trading desks in a growing physical agricultural and soft commodities trading business. Based in Dubai, the CFO will oversee global finance, infrastructure, and control across entities and currencies.

The successful candidate will hands-only build and scale the finance function, lead teams, and partner with senior management on strategic expansion and operating model design

Qualifications

• 12-18 years of relevant professional experience, including at least five years within physical agricultural or soft commodity trading.
• Experience in the finance, financial controlling or trade finance functions of a commodity trading business.
• Proven IFRS consolidation experience in a complex, multi-entity, multi-currency environment.
• Strong knowledge of commodity trade finance, including banking relationships and facilities.
• Demonstrable experience building and scaling a finance function from scratch.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead a central finance and operational platform to support multiple trading desks globally.
• Lead global finance, financial control, reporting and consolidation across a multi-entity, multi-currency business.
• Oversee IFRS reporting, financial planning, budgeting and management reporting.
• Develop and maintain robust financial controls, processes and systems for growth.
• Partner with senior management on strategic decision-making and group operating model.

Skills

Finance leadership

IFRS consolidation

Multi-entity finance

Multi-currency

Trading desk support

Education

ACA/ACCA/CPA credential

Tools

ERP systems

IFRS reporting tools

Job description

Global Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Role Overview:

We are seeking an experienced Global CFO to establish and lead a central platform function supporting the growth and development of multiple trading desks within a physical agricultural and soft commodities trading business. Based in Dubai, the role will oversee global finance and operational infrastructure, bringing structure, consistency and control across the organisation as new trading desks are established.

The successful candidate will combine strong financial expertise with a hands-on, entrepreneurial approach, having previously built a finance function from the ground up.

Responsibilities:

• Establish and develop a central finance and operational platform to support multiple trading desks globally.
• Lead global finance, financial control, reporting and consolidation across a multi-entity, multi-currency business.
• Oversee IFRS reporting, financial planning, budgeting and management reporting.
• Manage banking relationships and trade finance facilities, including borrowing bases, transactional facilities and credit insurance.
• Develop and implement robust financial controls, processes and systems to support business growth.
• Work closely with trading teams to ensure appropriate financial oversight, liquidity management and operational support.
• Lead and develop the existing finance team, ensuring effective coordination and consistent financial processes across locations.
• Partner with senior management on strategic decision-making, business expansion and the development of the group's global operating model.

Key Requirements:

• 12-18 years of relevant professional experience, including at least five years within physical agricultural or soft commodity trading.
• Experience gained within the finance, financial controlling or trade finance functions of an established commodity trading business.
• Proven experience in IFRS consolidation, ideally within a complex, multi-entity and multi-currency environment.
• Strong knowledge of commodity trade finance, including banking relationships, borrowing bases, transactional facilities and credit insurance.
• Demonstrable experience building and scaling a finance function from scratch.
• Qualified accountant with ACA, ACCA or CPA credentials.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to establish processes, lead international teams and operate effectively in a growing, entrepreneurial environment.

***Preferred:

• Fluency in Russian is strongly preferred.
• CFA qualification would be an advantage.