Financial Director

Exec X AI; Dubai; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible schedule

Competitive compensation

Remote work opportunity

Job summary

A high-growth AI Research and Development company is seeking a part-time Finance Director to lead its finance function. This role offers the flexibility of remote work while allowing the candidate to contribute to strategic financial decisions. The ideal candidate will have substantial finance leadership experience, especially within technology or startup environments. Responsibilities include developing financial strategies, designing budgets, and supporting fundraising efforts. The role is structured as a part-time engagement of up to five hours per week, allowing for a balance with other professional commitments.

Qualifications

• 8 to 12 years of progressive finance leadership experience.
• 5 years at Finance Director or equivalent level.
• Experience in startups or technology businesses.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a financial strategy aligned with the company's vision.
• Design budgets for AI adoption and R&D initiatives.
• Support the CEO in fundraising preparation.

Skills

Financial leadership

Stakeholder management

Investment analysis

Education

Relevant degree in finance or related field

Tools

Financial reporting tools

AI-driven finance automation tools

Job description

Finance Director (Part-Time, Remote or Fractional)

Reporting Structure

The Finance Director will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer of Exec X AI and work closely with executive and subsidiary leadership teams on financial reporting, planning, and strategic matters.

Position Overview

Exec X AI is seeking a strategic Finance Director to establish and lead the finance function of a high-growth AI Research and Development company based in the DIFC. This role offers a unique opportunity for an experienced finance professional with a strong interest in technology and artificial intelligence to shape the financial foundations of a business at a critical stage of scale.

The Finance Director will be responsible for integrating the financial operations of Exec X AI and its subsidiary entities, including consolidated reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and investor support. The role is structured as a part-time engagement of no more than five hours per week, allowing flexibility to maintain other portfolio work while making a meaningful contribution to the company’s success.

Acting as a strategic partner to the CEO and leadership teams, the Finance Director will translate financial data into decision-grade insights that support growth, fundraising, and disciplined scaling. The ideal candidate combines strong financial leadership with a pragmatic, forward-looking approach to technology and AI.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Strategy and Planning

Develop and execute a financial strategy aligned with Exec X AI’s long-term vision and growth objectives. Design budgets covering AI adoption, cloud infrastructure, and R&D initiatives. Partner with the CEO and functional leaders to convert strategic priorities into financial plans and clear performance accountability.

Group Financial Reporting and Consolidation

Design and maintain consolidated P&L statements and balance sheets across Exec X AI and its subsidiaries. Establish accounting policies, consolidation processes, and internal controls to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance with IFRS or UK GAAP. Produce monthly management accounts and quarterly board-ready financial statements.

Budgeting and Forecasting

Lead the annual budgeting process and establish rolling forecasts and scenario planning to support decision-making in a fast-changing environment. Develop unit economics models, CAC and CLV analysis, and revenue forecasts across service lines.

Identify and implement opportunities to automate finance workflows using AI and advanced tools. This includes close processes, variance analysis, reporting packs, budget tracking, and forecasting. Work with internal teams and external partners to deploy solutions with appropriate governance, controls, and auditability. This role will also demonstrate Exec X AI’s internal application of its AI-first philosophy.

Investor Relations and Fundraising Support

Support the CEO and board in fundraising preparation, including investor-grade financial models, pitch deck inputs, investment memos, and due diligence coordination. Maintain a single source of truth for financial data and respond efficiently to investor requests and queries.

Financial Controls and Compliance

Establish a controls framework appropriate to the company’s stage, including monthly close procedures, segregation of duties, audit trails, and regulatory compliance within the DIFC and other applicable jurisdictions. Coordinate with external auditors and support audit activities.

Strategic Business Partnering

Act as a trusted advisor to the CEO and board, providing analysis on market expansion, service profitability, partnership structures, and investment trade-offs. Build a culture of financial clarity and ensure leaders understand the financial implications of strategic decisions.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Core Finance Experience

8 to 12 years of progressive finance leadership experience, including at least 5 years at Finance Director or equivalent level. Experience in startups, scale-ups, or investment-intensive environments is strongly preferred, particularly within technology, software, or professional services. Demonstrated ability to build and scale finance functions is essential.

Strong capability in FP&A, budgeting, modelling, and management reporting. Hands-on experience producing consolidated group accounts and working with IFRS or UK GAAP. Familiarity with finance systems and tools is required. Experience supporting venture fundraising or investor relations is a strong advantage.

Technology and AI Acumen

Genuine interest in AI and its application to finance and business operations. Comfort learning AI concepts, evaluating AI-powered tools, and translating finance processes into automatable workflows. Experience with fintech, BI, or automation tools is beneficial but not mandatory.

Communication and Stakeholder Management

Ability to communicate clearly with the CEO, board, investors, and non-financial leaders. Skilled at translating complex financial information into concise, decision-oriented narratives. Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential, along with comfort working across time zones in a remote-first setup.

Growth Mindset and Adaptability

Comfortable operating in ambiguity and rapid change. Pragmatic, hands-on, and willing to experiment with tools and processes that evolve as the business scales. Collaborative mindset with a bias toward execution.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in AI, technology, or software businesses
• Exposure to cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) and cloud cost management
• Familiarity with AI or ML concepts in a business context
• Experience with finance automation or RPA tools

Geographic and Logistical Requirements

Based in EMEA or APAC. Fully remote with flexibility to work from any location. Must be comfortable collaborating across time zones and maintain a reliable professional home office setup.

Engagement Model and Commitment

Part-Time Commitment: Up to five hours per week during the initial six-month period, with full flexibility in scheduling.

Independent Contractor: Engagement will initially be on an independent contractor basis, allowing other consulting, board, or portfolio work.

Initial Term and Transition: Six-month initial term, with potential transition to a full-time permanent role with equity participation, subject to performance and revenue milestones.

Success Metrics (First 6 Months)

• Reliable monthly close and timely management accounts
• Consolidated financial model as a single source of truth
• Detailed, strategy-aligned budgets for AI, cloud, and R&D
• Investor-ready financial models and fundraising materials
• Implementation of at least one AI-driven finance automation
• Appropriate financial controls framework in place
• Clear unit economics and analysis of key drivers (CAC, CLV, margins)

Compensation and Benefits

The Finance Director may earn consulting fees, success fees, and performance-based bonuses. Upon transition to a permanent role, compensation will include a competitive salary, equity participation, and annual performance bonus.