Head of Operational Finance

Client of Alliance Recruitment Agency; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 400,000 - 800,000; Full time

Job summary

Client of Alliance Recruitment Agency in Abu Dhabi seeks a senior finance professional to own multi-location P&L, drive EBITDA performance, and lead complex feasibility and CAPEX analysis for new openings. You will coordinate IFRS 16 compliance, ERP systems, and ongoing audit readiness.

The role demands 6–10 years in retail/entertainment finance, strong modelling skills, and the ability to collaborate with operations, real estate, procurement and senior leadership in a fast-growing environment.

Qualifications

• Mandatory professional accounting qualification (CA/ACCA/CPA) from a recognized institution.
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business or related discipline.
• MBA/Executive MBA strongly preferred. CFA or related qualifications advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Oversee four-wall EBITDA across 18 operating locations and drive store-level P&Ls.
• Prepare financial feasibility models for new mall and community-centre locations with IRR/NPV/payback analyses.
• Manage cash-register, POS reconciliations, treasury operations, and bank settlements.
• Negotiate vendor terms, optimize working capital, and control CAPEX/fixed assets budgets.
• Support IFRS 16 lease accounting and assist external audits and investor due-diligence.

Skills

Financial modelling

IRR & NPV analysis

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Leadership

Education

Chartered Accountant (CA)

ACCA

CPA

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Accounting/Economics/Business

MBA / Executive MBA

Tools

Odoo

NetSuite

POS systems

Job description

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

2 1 Four-Wall Store Economics amp Margin OptimizationAnalyze and optimize revenue per square foot and spend per visitor across all locations Monitor party and event revenue mix to maximize venue utilization and profitability Analyze workforce scheduling and labor-cost efficiency Monitor caf and F amp B margins against operational targets Identify cost optimization and revenue enhancement opportunities at store level Drive accountability for store-level EBITDA performance

2 2 Real Estate Feasibility amp Fit-Out CAPEX GovernancePrepare financial feasibility models for new mall and community-centre locations Conduct IRR NPV and payback-period analysis for proposed sites Evaluate complex lease structures including turnover rent minimum base rent rent-free periods and landlord CAPEX contributions Maintain and monitor IFRS 16 lease liabilities Oversee fit-out budgets contractor costs and project expenditure Ensure CAPEX remains within approved budgets and identify potential cost overruns at an early stage

2 3 Cash Management POS Reconciliations amp Treasury OperationsOversee daily cash-register and ticketing POS system reconciliations Monitor bank settlements and investigate reconciliation discrepancies Establish and maintain effective fraud-prevention and cash-control measures Maintain strong governance over petty cash across all operating locations Ensure 100 accuracy and timely completion of daily cash and bank reconciliations

2 4 Working Capital amp Procurement ManagementManage vendor payment schedules and optimize working-capital requirements Negotiate and monitor supplier credit terms Establish appropriate inventory controls for edutainment materials and F amp B supplies Monitor inventory movements wastage and slow-moving stock Support procurement decisions through financial analysis and cost benchmarking

2 5 Financial Reporting ERP amp Audit SupportManage monthly store-level P amp L closures within the Group reporting calendar Prepare budget-vs-actual variance analysis and highlight key commercial drivers Maintain accurate financial data and controls within Odoo ERP or equivalent systems Support the Group CFO with audit schedules and Big 4 audit documentation Maintain accurate financial and operational metrics for Series A and investor data-room requirements Ensure financial processes and documentation remain audit-ready strong KEY DELIVERABLES amp KPIs strong Maintain positive four-wall store EBITDA across 18 operating locations Deliver monthly budget-vs-actual analysis with clear variance explanations and corrective actions Complete new-site feasibility models including IRR NPV and payback-period analysis within agreed timelines Achieve 100 daily cash POS and bank reconciliation accuracy with zero unresolved discrepancies Complete monthly store-level P amp L reporting within the Group reporting calendar Maintain fit-out CAPEX expenditure within approved budgets Ensure IFRS 16 lease-liability records are accurate and fully up to date Deliver timely and accurate financial information to support expansion toward 100 locations Maintain clean complete and audit-ready documentation for Big 4 auditors and Series A data-room requirements

MANDATE REQUIREMENTS

Educational QualificationsQualified Chartered Accountant (CA), ACCA, CPA or equivalent professional accounting qualification from a recognized institution mandatory. Bachelor s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business or a related discipline mandatory. MBA / Executive MBA from a leading business school such as IIM, ISB, INSEAD, LBS, Wharton or equivalent strongly preferred. CFA or additional qualifications in Corporate Finance, Strategy or Investment Banking will be advantageous. Relevant Experience6 10 years of progressive finance experience, with significant hands-on operational finance exposure. Strong experience in multi-unit consumer-facing businesses such as retail, family entertainment, leisure, hospitality, cinema or F&B chains. Minimum 3 5 years of experience in a multi-unit consumer business within the UAE or GCC region. Demonstrable experience owning or managing multi-location store P&Ls and four-wall EBITDA. Strong expertise in operational financial modelling, including IRR, NPV and payback analysis. Deep understanding of IFRS 16 lease accounting. Hands-on experience with POS and ERP systems, preferably Odoo or NetSuite. Experience in CAPEX management, lease evaluation, working-capital management and cash-control processes. Experience supporting external/Big 4 audits and investor or due-diligence requirements is preferred. Core CompetenciesStrong commercial and financial acumen with a high level of business curiosity. Excellent analytical and financial-modelling capabilities. Strong understanding of unit economics and profitability drivers. Ability to translate financial data into practical operational actions. Strong leadership and stakeholder-management skills. Excellent communication and presentation skills. High attention to detail, financial discipline and integrity. Ability to operate effectively in a fast-growing, multi-location environment. Strong ability to collaborate with operations, real estate, procurement, commercial and senior leadership teams.

Educational QualificationsQualified Chartered Accountant (CA), ACCA, CPA or equivalent professional accounting qualification from a recognized institution mandatory. Bachelor s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business or a related discipline mandatory. MBA / Executive MBA from a leading business school such as IIM, ISB, INSEAD, LBS, Wharton or equivalent strongly preferred. CFA or additional qualifications in Corporate Finance, Strategy or Investment Banking will be advantageous. Relevant Experience6 10 years of progressive finance experience, with significant hands-on operational finance exposure. Strong experience in multi-unit consumer-facing businesses such as retail, family entertainment, leisure, hospitality, cinema or F&B chains. Minimum 3 5 years of experience in a multi-unit consumer business within the UAE or GCC region. Demonstrable experience owning or managing multi-location store P&Ls and four-wall EBITDA. Strong expertise in operational financial modelling, including IRR, NPV and payback analysis. Deep understanding of IFRS 16 lease accounting. Hands-on experience with POS and ERP systems, preferably Odoo or NetSuite. Experience in CAPEX management, lease evaluation, working-capital management and cash-control processes. Experience supporting external/Big 4 audits and investor or due-diligence requirements is preferred. Core CompetenciesStrong commercial and financial acumen with a high level of business curiosity. Excellent analytical and financial-modelling capabilities. Strong understanding of unit economics and profitability drivers. Ability to translate financial data into practical operational actions. Strong leadership and stakeholder-management skills. Excellent communication and presentation skills. High attention to detail, financial discipline and integrity. Ability to operate effectively in a fast-growing, multi-location environment. Strong ability to collaborate with operations, real estate, procurement, commercial and senior leadership teams.