Manager - Finance - Aldar Education Arabic Speaking

Aldar Education LLC; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 300,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

Aldar Education is seeking an outstanding Manager - Finance to support one of our schools in the UAE. The Finance Manager is responsible for budgeting, forecasting, monthly closing, MIS reporting to Principals, budget control, AP/AR, fixed assets, and cash management.

The role also leads the team, ensures IFRS compliance, and develops policies with a focus on DOA guidelines. The position will be based in a school setting in Abu Dhabi, requiring strong leadership, process improvement skills, and

Qualifications

• Professional accounting qualification is required.
• At least 10 years’ experience, including 5+ years in finance & business operations.
• Experience in multi-site B2C environments and change management.

Responsibilities

• Lead budgeting, forecasting, monthly closing, and MIS reporting to Principals.
• Oversee Accounts Payable/Receivable, Fixed Asset, Cash and Bank management.
• Ensure IFRS compliance and implement finance policies; develop training for the school finance team.

Skills

IFRS expertise

English & Arabic communication

Attention to detail

Leadership

Education

Professional Accounting qualification

Tools

ERP system

Job description

Job Description:

Aldar Education is currently seeking an outstanding Manager - Finance to support one of our schools in the UAE.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the highly successful Aldar family of schools and to help shape the future of Abu Dhabi’s leading school group.

Since its inception in 2007 with just 250 students, Aldar Education has grown into a highly sought-after education provider, with more than 25 owned and managed premium and super-premium schools and academies- in partnership with some of the world’s most prestigious institutions includingRugby School, King’s College Wimbledon, and Cranleigh. The Group now serves over38,000 studentsthrough5,000 educators from more than 100 nationalities to deliver world-class education across a broad range of curricula and learning pathways from nursery through to K12.
At Aldar Education, our impact goes far beyond the classroom: we are proud to contribute to the UAE’s vision for a sustainable, knowledge-based economy through premium education. With this in mind, we hire educators and insustry professionals who not only embody our values and cultural ethos but also bring a genuine passion for education—qualities central to our mission of shaping the leaders of tomorrow.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the highly successful Aldar family of schools and to help shape the future of Abu Dhabi’s leading school group.

The FinanceManageris responsible forall areas relatingtoschool finance operationssuchas budgeting,forecasting,monthlyclosing,MISreportingto Principals,budgetcontrol,AccountsPayable,AccountsReceivables,Fixed Assetmanagement,CashandBankManagement,Re-enrolmentprocess (financerelatedactions)and timelyclosing ofinternal and externalauditrequirements.The FM is also responsible forimplementation ofnewapplicable IFRSstandards,enhance financeoperatingpolicies from time totime,ensure compliance with DOA,developtrainingplans for school finance team to improve efficiency of school finance operations and Business Partnering. The role will be based in schools.

The Finance manager needs to manage the team by setting clear KPIs in line with department KPIs, perform periodical performance assessments and support team wherever required to upskill their skills and performance to retain the existing talent.

Responsibilities

Main Duties:

• Lead school finance team and manage all functions within finance department such as annual school budget, re-forecast, AP, AR, Treasury, Fixed Asset, GL & Reporting.
• Closely work with School Principal & OSM and provide strategic and operational guidance from a financial perspective.

Specific Duties:

• Prepare the school annual budget and periodic forecast and submit to HQ finance on timely manner
• Present monthly financial performance with Principal, SLT and OSM with recommendations to achieve targeted EBITDA by cost optimization initiatives
• Preparation statutory financial statement for the school
• Approve the manual JVs posted by accountants & Monitormonth end activities and ensure the books are closed accurately and timely
• Lead the system implementation process
• Review weekly AR report and present to Principal and OSM
• Review payment plan and financial hardship from parents and obtain necessary approval to support the parents
• Manage the school billing and collection process, send out timely reminders and warning letters and provide information with School Principals for decision making to enhance collection and reduce bad debt.
• Initiate legal process to recover the receivables from customers by maintaining all necessary documents
• Review balance sheet schedules and come up with the action plan to clear if any unreconciled balances
• Ensure internal and external audit requirements are provided in timely manner
• Approve the PRs (from finance) and ensure proper budget control to achieve targeted EBIDTA Margin
• Review Open purchase orders, open GRN and open liabilities on periodical manner to improve P2P turnaround time and supplier experience
• Review Bank Reconciliation & ensure reconciliation items are getting cleared
• Identify potential process gaps, suggest improvements and implement the best-in-class processes
• Review supplier and petty cash payments in ERP
• Review various financial surveys from ADEK and economic development
• Provide adhoc reporting requirements to HQ/Principal/OSM/SLT and other stakeholders
• Provide training to accountants and create proper backup within team

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Professional Accounting qualification

Minimum Experience:

• 10 Years’ experience out of which minimum 5 years’ experience in managing finance & business operations
• Education or other multi-site B2C experience
• Experience of change management and fast growth / fast paced dynamic environment

Job Specific Knowledge & Skills:

• Well versed with IFRS standards Process oriented and ability to execute finance projects
• Fluent English & Arabic communication skills, written and oral.
• Attention to detail with diligent follow up, and able to execute in a timely manner.
• Skilled in multi-tasking and handling pressure
• Ability to liaise effectively with business functions
• Ability to manage, develop and lead a team
• Deadline oriented and take ownership of work
• Organizational ability, of self and others.
• Capable of influencing people and talented in networking with cultural sensitivity.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.

This job description is not all-inclusive. Aldar Education reserves the right to amend this job description at any time. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. We are also mindful of our national development strategy and encourage UAE Nationals in their application at our company.

Aldar Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Offers of appointment are subject to satisfactory references and police clearance.