Senior Finance Leader – UAE National

Confidential; Dubai; On-site; AED 320,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential in the UAE seeks a UAE National Finance Leader to provide strategic and operational leadership across Finance. The role strengthens governance, drives performance and partners with senior leadership to support growth.

Ideal candidate has ACCA or CPA, substantial finance leadership experience, and a track record of governance and commercial judgement in a regulated, large-scale setting. UAE nationals only.

Qualifications

• UAE National – mandatory eligibility.
• ACCA or CPA professional qualification required.
• Significant progressive experience in Finance, including senior leadership.
• Strong governance, planning, reporting and controls knowledge.
• Experience partnering with senior leaders and driving execution.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic financial leadership and align with business strategy.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting and long-term financial planning.
• Ensure robust governance, controls and accurate financial reporting.
• Act as trusted Finance partner to senior executives and drive initiatives.
• Lead transformation, automation and capability development in Finance.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Financial governance

Executive stakeholder management

Analytical capability

Commercial judgement

People leadership

Education

Bachelor's in Finance/Accounting/Economics

ACCA or CPA qualification

Master's degree (preferred)

Job description

Finance Leader – UAE National

Location: UAE

Function: Finance

Nationality Requirement: UAE National – Mandatory

Professional Qualification: ACCA or CPA – Mandatory

Role Purpose

One of the Banking Institution is seeking an accomplished UAE National Finance Leader to provide strategic and operational leadership across the Finance function. The role will be responsible for strengthening financial governance, driving performance and planning, ensuring robust financial controls, and partnering with senior leadership to support business growth and strategic decision-making.

This opportunity is suited to a professionally qualified finance leader with strong commercial judgement, financial governance expertise, and experience operating within a complex, regulated or large-scale organization.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Leadership & Strategy

• Provide strategic financial leadership and contribute to the organization's overall business and financial strategy.
• Partner with senior stakeholders on financial planning, performance, investment decisions and business priorities.
• Translate business strategy into clear financial plans, targets and performance measures.
• Provide financial insights and recommendations to support executive decision-making.

Financial Planning & Performance

• Lead budgeting, forecasting and long-term financial planning.
• Monitor financial performance against agreed plans and identify emerging risks and opportunities.
• Drive improvements in profitability, cost management and financial efficiency.
• Establish meaningful financial KPIs and management reporting for senior leadership.

Financial Control & Governance

• Ensure strong financial governance, accounting controls and reporting disciplines.
• Oversee the integrity and accuracy of financial reporting.
• Maintain appropriate financial policies, controls and governance frameworks.
• Work closely with Internal Audit, External Audit, Risk, Compliance and other control functions where required.

Business Partnership

• Act as a trusted Finance partner to senior executives and business leaders.
• Provide constructive challenge and financial guidance on strategic and commercial decisions.
• Support major business initiatives, investments, transformation programs and organizational priorities from a Finance perspective.

Transformation & Leadership

• Drive continuous improvement, automation and digitalization across Finance.
• Improve the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of Finance processes and reporting.
• Develop a high-performing Finance team with strong succession and capability development.
• Promote a culture of accountability, collaboration and commercial thinking.

Candidates must meet all of the following criteria:

• UAE National
• ACCA or CPA qualified
• Significant progressive experience within Finance, including experience in a senior Finance leadership capacity
• Strong knowledge of financial management, planning, reporting, controls and governance
• Demonstrated experience partnering with senior business stakeholders
• Strong analytical capability and commercial judgement
• Proven ability to lead teams and operate effectively within a complex organization

Preferred Experience

• Experience within banking, financial services, regulated industries or a large complex corporate environment
• Exposure to Finance transformation, automation or digitalization
• Experience managing senior stakeholders and presenting financial insights to executive leadership
• Understanding of regulatory and governance requirements within the UAE/GCC environment
• Experience leading or developing sizeable Finance teams

Education & Professional Qualifications

Mandatory

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Commerce, Economics or a related discipline
• ACCA or CPA professional qualification

Preferred

• Master's degree, MBA or other relevant postgraduate qualification

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic and commercial thinking
• Financial acumen
• Executive stakeholder management
• Governance and control mindset
• Decision-making and judgement
• Transformation leadership
• People leadership and talent development
• Results orientation