Group Chief Financial Officer

Calvin James Recruitment; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 850,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Calvin James Recruitment is seeking a commercially driven Group CFO to lead the financial strategy for an Abu Dhabi-based group and support its next phase of growth.

The role requires a senior finance leader with extensive international experience, a strong track record in M&A, regional banking relationships and the ability to drive value creation across the group.

Qualifications

• Senior finance leader with multinational exposure.
• Proven track record in mergers and acquisitions.
• Established banking relationships in UAE and wider region.
• Experience in group consolidation, treasury and governance.
• Strong commercial judgement and ability to translate insight into actions.
• Experience engaging with boards and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead the group’s financial strategy and capital allocation.
• Oversee M&A financing, due diligence, deal structuring and integration.
• Evaluate acquisition opportunities and advise on returns and risks.
• Strengthen regional and international banking relationships.
• Structure financing facilities for acquisitions and operations.
• Oversee treasury, liquidity, cash flow and risk management.
• Lead consolidation, budgeting and forecasting across entities.
• Enhance financial governance and reporting across the group.
• Partner with business leaders to improve profitability and decisions.
• Build and mentor a high-performing finance team.

Skills

Group CFO experience

M&A leadership

Finance leadership

Strategic planning

Investor relations

Commercial acumen

Board engagement

Education

ACA/ACCA/CPA/CIMA

Job description

We are seeking a commercially driven Group CFO to lead the financial strategy of an Abu Dhabi-based group and support its next phase of growth.

The role requires a senior finance leader with substantial international experience, a strong track record in mergers and acquisitions, and established banking relationships across the UAE and wider region.

The successful candidate will combine strategic leadership with hands‑on financial oversight, partnering closely with executive leadership to assess investment opportunities, secure funding and drive sustainable value creation.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the group’s financial strategy, aligning capital allocation and financial planning with its long-term commercial objectives.
• Lead the financial aspects of M&A transactions, including target evaluation, valuation, due diligence, deal structuring, financing and post‑acquisition integration.
• Assess acquisition and investment opportunities, providing clear recommendations on returns, risks and strategic fit.
• Develop and strengthen relationships with regional and international banks, lenders and other funding partners.
• Structure and negotiate financing facilities to support acquisitions, investment and operational requirements.
• Oversee group treasury, liquidity, cash flow, working capital and financial risk management.
• Lead consolidated reporting, budgeting and forecasting, providing timely insight into business performance.
• Strengthen financial governance, controls and reporting across group entities.
• Partner with business leaders to improve profitability, challenge assumptions and support commercial decisions.
• Build and develop a high‑performing finance team, with clear accountability across the group.
• Present financial performance, funding proposals and investment recommendations to executive leadership and the board.

Required experience and qualifications

• Proven experience as a Group CFO, CFO or equivalent senior finance leader within a complex organisation.
• Substantial global exposure, gained through leadership roles in multinational businesses, international operations or responsibility across multiple countries.
• Strong, demonstrable M&A experience, with direct responsibility for significant transactions and a clear understanding of the full acquisition lifecycle.
• Established banking relationships in the UAE and wider region, supported by a track record of securing and negotiating financing.
• Experience managing group finance, consolidation, treasury and governance across multiple entities.
• Strong commercial judgement and the ability to evaluate investments, balance risk and return, and translate financial insight into action.
• Experience engaging with boards, shareholders, lenders and senior external stakeholders.
• A recognised professional accounting qualification, such as ACA, ACCA, CPA or CIMA, or equivalent.

Candidate profile

We are looking for someone who brings an international perspective alongside a strong understanding of the regional financial landscape. Experience confined to the local market will not meet the requirements of this role.

The ideal candidate will be confident leading complex transactions and funding discussions, while remaining closely involved in the group’s financial performance and operational priorities.