Chief Financial Officer (CFO) – Contracting

Director & Co; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 800,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Director & Co in Abu Dhabi seeks a highly experienced CFO to lead financial operations for a real estate company expanding into UAE general contracting. You will manage corporate finances, project cash flows, banking facilities, and profitability across multiple large projects.

The ideal candidate brings 15+ years of finance leadership, strong IFRS and UAE tax knowledge, and a track record in construction finance and treasury management.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive financial management experience
• 5+ years in CFO or Finance Director role
• 10+ years in construction or general contracting industry
• Experience with multiple large scale projects in UAE or GCC
• Strong understanding of project accounting and profitability

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the company’s financial strategy aligned with objectives.
• Oversee accounting, treasury, budgeting, taxation and reporting.
• Ensure liquidity and banking facilities for ongoing and future projects.
• Manage cash flows, receivables, payables and working capital.
• Monitor project profitability, cost overruns and financial risks.
• Establish robust financial controls and approval procedures.
• Evaluate financial exposure and profitability of new tenders and contracts.
• Manage relationships with banks, auditors and external stakeholders.
• Provide financial analysis and strategic recommendations to CEO/Board.
• Drive financial efficiency and sustainable profitability.

Skills

Leadership

Treasury management

IFRS knowledge

UAE tax

Construction finance

Banking relations

Financial planning

Cost to complete

Revenue recognition

Risk management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Accounting

MBA or CPA/ACCA/CMA preferred

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

We are seeking a highly experienced and commercially driven Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to lead the financial operations of an established real estate company expanding into the UAE general contracting sector. The ideal candidate must have extensive experience in the construction industry, with a proven track record in managing corporate finances, project cash flows, banking facilities, financial controls, and profitability across multiple large-scale construction projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the company’s financial strategy in alignment with business objectives.
• Oversee all financial operations, including accounting, treasury, budgeting, taxation, and financial reporting.
• Ensure adequate liquidity and banking facilities to support ongoing and future construction projects.
• Manage corporate and project-level cash flows, receivables, payables, and working capital.
• Monitor project financial performance, profitability, cost overruns, and financial risks.
• Establish robust financial controls and approval procedures across the organization.
• Evaluate financial exposure and profitability of new tenders and major construction contracts.
• Manage relationships with banks, auditors, financial institutions, and external stakeholders.
• Provide financial analysis and strategic recommendations to the CEO and Board of Directors.
• Drive financial efficiency, cost optimization, and sustainable profitability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field. MBA or professional qualifications such as CPA, ACCA, or CMA are highly preferred.
• Minimum 15 years of progressive financial management experience, including at least 5 years in a CFO or Finance Director position.
• Minimum 10 years of direct experience in the construction or general contracting industry, preferably within the UAE or GCC.
• Proven experience managing the financial operations of large contracting companies with multiple concurrent projects.
• Strong understanding of construction project accounting, cost-to-complete forecasting, revenue recognition, and project profitability.
• Extensive experience in treasury management, cash-flow planning, working capital optimization, and banking relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to arrange and manage banking facilities, performance bonds, advance payment guarantees, letters of credit, and project financing.
• Strong understanding of construction contracts, payment certifications, retention, variations, claims, and subcontractor financial obligations.
• Comprehensive knowledge of IFRS, UAE Corporate Tax, VAT, and financial regulatory requirements.
• Experience implementing and managing ERP systems and project financial reporting platforms.
• Strong commercial awareness, financial risk management, negotiation, and strategic decision-making capabilities.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing finance, accounting, treasury, and financial control teams.