Head of Finance Systems

Cognita; United Arab Emirates; Hybrid; AED 800,000 - 1,100,000; Full time

Job summary

Cognita is seeking a Head of Finance Systems to own the technology powering Finance across the global group, including ERP, payments and budgeting. You will set roadmaps, lead the team, and ensure secure, scalable platforms built around Finance needs.

You will manage major implementations, drive improvements, and work with Finance, Data & AI, and Technology Services across regions. Hybrid work from Dubai or London offices with travel as needed.

Qualifications

• Experience leading enterprise Finance systems or ERP in a complex, multi-entity organisation.
• Delivery of major implementations, upgrades, integrations and continuous-improvement programmes.
• Strong people, stakeholder and vendor leadership, including senior Finance stakeholders.
• Ability to shape roadmaps and turn Finance requirements into scalable solutions.
• Grounding in service management, change control and structured delivery.
• Degree or professional qualification in Finance, IT or Business, plus development in ERP/financial systems.

Responsibilities

• Own the lifecycle and performance of ERP, payments and planning systems and shape the Finance technology roadmap.
• Translate Finance needs into clear requirements, investment cases and delivery plans across regions and legal entities.
• Lead major implementations, upgrades and improvements with governance, testing and adoption and maintain a prioritised backlog.
• Simplify and automate across Finance technology and processes.
• Set SLAs, support and release processes; ensure configuration, access and integrations meet security, audit and compliance standards.
• Manage strategic vendors on performance, licensing, renewals and value.
• Coach and develop the Finance Systems team and partner across Finance, Data & AI and Technology Services.

Skills

ERP leadership

Roadmap planning

Stakeholder leadership

Change management

Vendor management

Team leadership

Finance systems

Education

Finance degree

Tools

NetSuite

NSPB

Job description

London or Dubai | Technology & Innovation, Enterprise Technology | Reports to the Director of Enterprise Technology

About 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 and improvements with strong governance, testing and adoption, and keep a transparent, prioritised backlog.
• 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.

How we work

• Hybrid: in the Dubai or London office around four days a week, with global collaboration and flexibility across time zones.
• Occasional travel to Cognita offices, schools and partner locations, and support during critical Finance periods or major releases.

The Closing Date for Applications is: 1st November 2026

Cognita Schools is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

All appointments are subject to safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check.

Our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy is available on the school website.

Details on Recruitment of Ex-Offenders is included within the Application Guidance.

We are an equal opportunities employer committed to diversity and treating all employees with dignity and respect regardless of background.