Head of Finance Systems

JOBZE; Dubai; Hybrid; AED 391,000 - 558,000; Full time

Job summary

Cognita is seeking a Head of Finance Systems to own the technology powering Finance across its global school group. The role drives ERP, payments and planning strategies, ensuring secure, scalable platforms aligned with Finance needs.

You will translate requirements into plans, lead large-scale implementations and continuously improve systems while coaching the Finance Systems team and collaborating with Finance, Data & AI and Technology Services teams.

Qualifications

• Experience leading enterprise finance systems in a multi-entity setup.
• Proven ability to deliver major ERP projects, upgrades and integrations.
• Strong stakeholder and vendor leadership with senior finance partners.

Responsibilities

• Own the Finance technology strategy and lifecycle across ERP, payments and planning.
• Translate finance needs into scalable requirements and delivery plans.
• Lead major implementations, upgrades and continuous-improvement programs.
• Coach the Finance Systems team and partner across Finance, Data & AI and Technology Services.

Skills

ERP leadership

Stakeholder management

Vendor management

Finance systems

Security & compliance

Education

Finance/IT/Business degree

Tools

NetSuite

NSPB

Job description

# Head of Finance SystemsCognita SchoolsUnited Arab Emirates - DubaiPosted 28 October 2026LinkedInDirect employerEnterpriseTop-rated employerGreat cultureLocationUnited Arab Emirates - DubaiJob typeHybridExperience10+ yearsSalaryAED 35k–50k/mo (est.)Apply on LinkedIn## Job descriptionLondon or Dubai | Technology & Innovation, Enterprise Technology | Reports to the Director of Enterprise TechnologyAbout Cognita:Cognita is a global leader in independent education. Founded in 2004, we are a growing community of 90 schools in 21 countries - in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East - serving more than 100,000 students. Each of our schools are proudly unique, however our collective purpose is to create an environment where everyone can, \"Thrive in a rapidly evolving world\".About the Role:Cognita's Finance systems keep schools running behind the scenes. As Head of Finance Systems, you will own the technology that powers Finance across our global group: ERP, payments, planning and budgeting. You'll set the roadmap, lead the team and make sure every platform is secure, scalable and built around what Finance needs.What you will be doing:- Owning the strategy: run the lifecycle and performance of our ERP, payments and planning systems, and shape the Finance technology roadmap with the Finance Centre of Excellence.- Turning priorities into plans: translate Finance needs into clear requirements, investment cases and delivery plans that scale across regions and legal entities.- Delivering change: lead major implementations, upgrades, integrations and continuous-improvement programmes.- Simplifying and automating: cut complexity, standardise and automate across Finance technology and processes.- Protecting service and controls: set the SLAs, support and release processes, and make sure configuration, access and integrations meet security, audit and compliance standards.- Managing partners: get the best from strategic vendors on performance, licensing, renewals and value.- Leading your team: coach and develop the Finance Systems team, and build strong partnerships across Finance, Data & AI and Technology Services.Who we are looking for:You're a Finance systems leader who can talk strategy with the CFO's team and still care about the detail of a clean release.You'll bring:- Experience leading enterprise Finance systems or ERP in a complex, multi-entity organisation.- A record of delivering major implementations, upgrades, integrations and continuous-improvement programmes.- Strong people, stakeholder and vendor leadership, including senior Finance stakeholders.- The ability to shape roadmaps, prioritise competing demand and turn Finance requirements into scalable solutions.- Solid grounding in service management, change control and structured delivery.- A degree or professional qualification in Finance, IT or Business (or equivalent experience), plus ongoing development in ERP, financial systems, product ownership or service management.Even better if you have: NetSuite and/or NSPB experience in multi-entity, multi-country environments; knowledge of integrations, data governance and automation; a recognised accounting, ITIL, Agile or project management qualification; or experience in education or another international, service-led organisation.