Manager - Finance - Aldar Education Bilingual

Aldar Education LLC; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 260,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

Aldar Education is seeking a Manager - Finance (Bilingual) to lead the finance function for a cluster of UAE schools. Based in Abu Dhabi, you will drive budgeting, forecasting, closing, and compliance with IFRS, partnering with Principals and HQ to optimize EBITDA and cash management.

You will manage a team, implement systems, and ensure timely audits, with a strong emphasis on bilingual communication and cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• IFRS standards knowledge.
• Fluent English and Arabic communication skills, written and oral.
• Strong attention to detail with diligent follow up; timely execution.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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 JV's posted by accountants & Monitor month 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 PR's (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.

Skills

IFRS knowledge

Bilingual English/Arabic

Team leadership

Attention to detail

Multi-tasking

Deadline oriented

Cross-functional liaison

Networking with cultural sensitivity

Education

Professional Accounting qualification

Job description

Job Description:

Aldar Education is currently seeking an outstanding Manager - Finance (Bilingual) to support Cluster of schools of 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.

If you are passionate about excellence and ready to make a meaningful impact, we invite you to apply and be part of our journey.

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 Finance Manager is responsible for all areas relating to school finance operations such as budgeting, forecasting, monthlyclosing, MIS reporting to Principals, budget control, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivables, Fixed Asset management, Cash andBank Management, Re-enrolment process (finance related actions) and timely closing of internal and external audit requirements. The FM is also responsible for implementation of new applicable IFRS standards, enhance finance operating policies from time totime, ensure compliance with DOA, develop training plans 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 JV's posted by accountants & Monitor month 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 PR's (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.