Role Description
To oversee and manage the group’s financial operations across all entities, ensuring accurate multi-entity, multi-currency financial reporting and consolidation, effective cash-flow management, budget control, and compliance with applicable financial policies and regulations. The role owns financial planning and management reporting, providing timely and reliable financial information for decision-making, while maintaining strong internal controls and efficient financial processes
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Financial Leadership
- Develop and execute the group’s financial strategy in alignment with business objectives and growth plans.
- Advise senior management on financial planning, investment decisions, and risk mitigation.
- Lead financial due diligence for potential acquisitions, mergers, and investment opportunities.
- Establish long-term financial goals and strategies for capital structure, liquidity, and profitability.
- Monitor financial performance of portfolio companies and investments, providing profitability analysis, return-on-investment evaluations, and strategic recommendations to management.
Financial Management & Reporting
- Oversee preparation of accurate and timely entity and consolidated group financial statements, management reports, and statutory filings across all jurisdictions.
- Prepare monthly and quarterly board reporting packs, including consolidated group results, cash-flow position, and performance commentary.
- Ensure compliance with IFRS, UAE and other applicable international accounting standards, tax regulations, and statutory requirements.
- Maintain and enhance internal financial controls, policies, and procedures to safeguard group assets. Own the group’s Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central environment, including chart of accounts, dimensions, user access, and reporting configuration across all entities.
Budgeting, Forecasting & Cost Control
- Lead annual budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes across all business units.
- Review departmental budgets, monitor expenditure, and implement cost-control measures.
- Conduct financial modeling and scenario analysis to support strategic initiatives.
Treasury & Risk Management
- Oversee cash flow management, banking relationships, and corporate financing.
- Ensure sufficient liquidity to meet operational and strategic needs.
- Monitor and mitigate financial risks including currency, interest rate, and operational risks.
- Drive working capital optimization through effective management of receivables, payables, inventory, and cash conversion cycles.
Leadership & Team Management
- Lead and mentor the finance team, ensuring effective workflow, professional development, and high performance.
- Foster collaboration with other departments to integrate finance with operational planning.
- Promote a culture of accountability, integrity, and continuous improvement within the finance function.
Compliance & Governance
- Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements, internal policies, and corporate governance standards.
- Own the annual audit and tax compliance calendar across all jurisdictions, managing external auditors, tax consultants, and regulatory authorities through to completion of audits, reviews, and filings
- Maintain accurate records to support audit processes and internal reporting.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in commerce, finance, accounting or related field – required
- Master’s in commerce, finance, accounting or related field – preferred
- Professional accounting certification (CPA, ACCA, CMA, CA, CFA, etc.) – preferred
- UAE VAT and Corporate Tax knowledge/certification is an advantage.
Experience
- 10+ years of relevant finance experience, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role – required
- Experience in a multi-entity, multi-currency group environment — required
- Experience in FMCG industry – preferred
- Experience in financial planning, treasury management, internal controls, audit, and risk management
Technical Skills
- Hands-on experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central – required; experience with other ERP systems and financial management tools (SAP, Oracle, Tally, etc.) is an advantage.
- Strong knowledge of financial reporting, multi-entity consolidation, multi-currency accounting, budgeting, forecasting, cash-flow management, and financial analysis.
- Preparation and analysis of financial statements, management reports, and financial performance.
- Strong knowledge of IFRS and UAE accounting requirements.
- Knowledge of UAE VAT and Corporate Tax, and of tax compliance, and statutory requirements in the group’s other operating jurisdictions.
- Advanced knowledge of MS Excel
- Fluent in English, Arabic is an advantage.
Competencies
Behavioural Skills
- Leadership and Team management
- Strategic Thinking
- Analytical and Critical thinking
- Confidentiality and Discretion
- Decision making and Problem solving
- Stakeholder management
- Ability to work under pressure
- Business Acumen
- Change Management
Functional Skills
- Financial Planning and Analysis
- Budgeting and Forecasting
- Financial Reporting and Accounts Management
- Cost Management and Profitability Analysis
- Investment and Capital Expenditure Analysis
- ERP/Financial System Management
- VAT and Regulatory Compliance
- Business Partnering and Strategic Financial Advisory
- Group Consolidation
Working Condition
- Office-based at the Dubai head office.
- Occasional travel between group locations, including international travel where required.