Finance Director

International Community School - City Centre Campus; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 300,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

International Community School - City Centre Campus is seeking a Group Finance Leader to shape and execute the financial strategy across six UAE branches, advising the CEO and senior leadership. The role covers budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and governance with strong internal controls.

You will oversee cash flow, capital expenditure, audits, tax compliance, and drive cost optimization while sustaining educational quality and supporting growth across campuses.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or related discipline is required.
• Professional certification such as CA/ACCA/CPA/CMA is strongly preferred; MBA in Finance is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the financial strategy for the Group across all six branches.
• Lead financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and financial performance management.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related discipline

Professional certification (CA/ACCA/CPA/CMA) strongly preferred; MBA in Finance is an advantage

Tools

ERP systems

Business intelligence

Job description

Overview

Develop and execute the Group s financial strategy in alignment with organizational goals and long-term growth objectives Serve as a strategic financial advisor to the CEO and senior leadership team Lead financial planning budgeting forecasting and financial performance management across all six branches Provide data-driven insights to support strategic investments business expansion and major financial decisions

Group Financial Management & Governance

• Oversee and consolidate financial operations reporting and controls across all ICs branches
• Ensure financial transparency accountability regulatory compliance and strong internal controls
• Manage cash flow working capital financial risks and capital expenditure
• Oversee annual audits statutory financial reporting and compliance with UAE financial and tax regulations

Operational Excellence & Cost Optimization

• Identify opportunities for cost optimization revenue enhancement and improved profitability without compromising educational quality
• Establish financial KPIs and performance benchmarks for individual schools and the Group
• Monitor student fee collections revenue forecasts operational expenditures and overall financial sustainability
• Strengthen financial processes ERP utilization automation and management reporting

Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Lead mentor and develop finance and accounting teams across all branches
• Collaborate closely with school principals operations HR procurement and other departments
• Present financial performance strategic recommendations and risk assessments to executive management
• Drive a culture of financial discipline accountability and continuous improvement

Requirements Qualifications Experience

• Bachelor s degree in Finance Accounting Business Administration or a related discipline
• Professional certification such as CA ACCA CPA or CMA is strongly preferred MBA in Finance is an advantage
• Minimum 12 years of progressive financial management experience including substantial experience in a senior finance leadership role
• Prior experience in the UAE education sector preferably managing multiple schools or campuses is highly desirable
• Proven track record of strategic financial planning financial restructuring cost optimization and organizational growth
• Strong understanding of UAE taxation regulatory compliance financial reporting standards and corporate governance
• Demonstrated experience managing complex budgets multiple cost centers and consolidated financial reporting
• Strong ERP financial analytics and business intelligence capabilities

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for a strategic leader not simply a financial controller u2014 someone who demonstrates

• Strong business acumen and independent decision-making capabilities
• The ability to balance financial sustainability with educational excellence
• A proactive results-oriented approach to organizational challenges
• Exceptional leadership communication negotiation and stakeholder-management skills
• The confidence to challenge existing processes introduce improvements and drive meaningful organizational change