Financial Controller - Financial Planning and Analysis

AlFuttaim; Dubai; On-site; AED 400,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

Al-Futtaim Real Estate in Dubai seeks an experienced Financial Controller, FP&A to lead planning, performance management and reporting across the Real Estate Group. Based in the United Arab Emirates, the role provides a consolidated regional view and partners with the Head of Finance, Group Finance and senior leadership to support budgeting, forecasting and strategic decision-making.

The role focuses on transforming FP&A through AI, automation and advanced analytics, strengthening financial

Qualifications

• Minimum 12 years of relevant finance experience, including at least 4 years in FP&A or a related function.
• Executive-level communication skills and proactive ownership mindset.

Responsibilities

• FP&A leadership: serve as central contact for FP&A across Real Estate Group and provide financial insights.
• Budgeting and forecasting: lead consolidated budgets and rolling forecasts for portfolios and geographies.
• Financial performance management: analyze variances and translate results into recommendations.
• Real estate market and macro analysis: assess macro trends and market impacts on performance.
• Senior leadership reporting: prepare executive financial updates for CFO and leadership.
• FP&A transformation: drive AI, automation and analytics to improve planning and reporting.

Job description

Financial Controller - Financial Planning and Analysis Job Snapshot - Role: Financial Controller, FP&A - Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Industry: Real Estate - Function: Financial Planning-Advising - Experience: Minimum 12 years of relevant finance experience, including at least 4 years in FP&A or a related function - Job Type: Full Time - Work Arrangement: On-site

Position Overview Al-Futtaim Real Estate is seeking an experienced Financial Controller, FP&A to lead financial planning, performance management and management reporting activities across its Real Estate Group. Based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the position provides a consolidated regional view of financial and operational performance across real estate portfolios and geographies. Working closely with the Head of Finance, Group Finance and senior business leadership, the Financial Controller will support strategic planning, budgeting, forecasting and commercially informed decision-making. A central priority is transforming Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) through artificial intelligence, automation and advanced analytics. The role will strengthen financial visibility, improve the predictive value of reporting and establish consistent performance management practices across different real estate asset classes. The successful candidate will combine strong financial expertise with commercial judgment, real estate market knowledge and the ability to translate macroeconomic developments into actionable financial insights. The position requires executive-level communication skills, a proactive ownership mindset and the ability to present complex financial information and recommendations to the Group CFO and senior leadership.

Job Details - Country: United Arab Emirates - City: Dubai - Industry: Real Estate - Function: Financial Planning-Advising - Salary: Not disclosed - Gender: No Preference - Candidate Nationality: Not specified - Job Type: Full Time - Work Arrangement: On-site

Key Responsibilities

FP&A Leadership and Business Partnership

• Serve as the central point of contact for FP&A activities across the Real Estate Group.
• Coordinate relevant financial planning and reporting requirements with Group Finance.
• Establish trusted working relationships with Finance teams and business stakeholders across portfolios and geographies.
• Provide financial insights and commercial recommendations to support business decisions.
• Work closely with the Head of Finance to establish strategic financial priorities.
• Translate agreed strategic priorities into practical implementation plans.
• Influence stakeholders to achieve alignment on financial planning objectives and reporting requirements.
• Apply appropriate escalation when necessary to ensure timely completion of critical deliverables.
• Promote accountability, financial transparency and consistent performance management across the organization.

Budgeting, Forecasting and Strategic Planning

• Lead the preparation and review of individual and consolidated budgets across real estate portfolios and geographical markets.
• Oversee financial forecasts and business plans to support strategic and operational decision-making.
• Manage the complete budgeting and forecasting cycle, including timelines, templates, assumptions and review processes.
• Establish consistent planning requirements and coordinate submissions from relevant business units.
• Review and challenge financial and operational assumptions using commercial knowledge and market intelligence.
• Evaluate the financial implications of business plans and operating assumptions.
• Apply scenario analysis to assess alternative financial and operational outcomes.
• Conduct sensitivity analysis to evaluate the potential effects of changes in key business drivers.
• Use predictive analysis to identify possible future performance outcomes and management responses.
• Present forward-looking financial insights to support planning decisions and business priorities.
• Ensure consolidated financial plans provide a reliable regional view of business performance.

Financial Performance Management

• Lead monthly reviews of financial and operational performance against approved budgets.
• Analyze financial variances and ensure significant differences are clearly explained.
• Identify the operational and commercial factors influencing business performance.
• Work with relevant stakeholders to understand performance trends and emerging financial risks.
• Strengthen the use of rolling forecasts and leading indicators in performance reviews.
• Shift financial analysis beyond historical results toward forward-looking performance assessment.
• Define and enhance key performance indicators appropriate to different real estate asset classes.
• Review the relevance and effectiveness of existing financial and operational performance measures.
• Translate performance analysis into practical recommendations for management.
• Support greater accountability through clear reporting of financial outcomes and required actions.

Real Estate Market and Macroeconomic Analysis

• Assess macroeconomic developments that may influence real estate business performance.
• Evaluate relevant real estate industry trends and their financial implications.
• Incorporate market intelligence into financial planning, forecasting and performance analysis.
• Challenge business assumptions using relevant commercial and economic information.
• Identify potential financial opportunities and risks arising from changing market conditions.
• Present the implications of market developments in a clear and commercially relevant manner.
• Support senior leadership in evaluating possible management responses to changing business conditions.

Senior Leadership and Executive Reporting

• Review financial Flash reports and accompanying management commentary.
• Ensure financial reports clearly explain significant business events, performance movements and required actions.
• Prepare monthly financial performance presentations for the Group CFO and senior leadership.
• Present consolidated financial and operational results in a structured and executive-focused format.
• Communicate significant variances, emerging trends and forward-looking financial considerations.
• Support the preparation of strategic and management presentations when required.
• Coordinate with stakeholders to ensure actions arising from performance reviews are addressed.
• Respond to urgent management information requests with sound judgment and effective coordination.
• Maintain high standards of accuracy, clarity and commercial relevance in executive reporting.

FP&A Transformation, Artificial Intelligence and Automation

• Champion the transformation of FP&A into a data-driven and insight-led financial function.
• Identify opportunities to apply artificial intelligence and AI-powered tools to financial planning and reporting.
• Evaluate opportunities to automate repetitive reporting and analytical activities.
• Promote the use of advanced analytics to improve financial visibility and forecasting quality.
• Support the development of more efficient and consistent planning processes.
• Standardize financial planning templates, reporting dashboards and analytical methodologies across portfolios.
• Improve the accessibility and usefulness of financial information for business stakeholders.
• Encourage adoption of new financial planning and analytical tools.
• Support effective change management as FP&A processes and technologies evolve.
• Ensure technology-driven improvements maintain appropriate data quality and governance standards.
• Strengthen the predictive value of financial reporting through improved analytical capabilities.

Financial Governance and Reporting Standards

• Establish and