Senior Finance Manager

Cognita Asia Holdings Pte Ltd; Kuwait; On-site; KWD 25,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Dasman Bilingual School in Kuwait is seeking a Senior Finance Manager to safeguard financial integrity and guide long‑term sustainability. Reporting to the CEO, you will lead budgeting, controls, and governance across the school, ensuring compliance with Kuwait Ministry regulations and external audits.

This role requires strategic partnership with senior leaders to align financial planning with educational excellence.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience and professional track record in managing finance teams.
• At least five years’ experience in regional leadership, preferably in Kuwait.
• Demonstrated efficiency of execution, flexibility and adaptability.
• Collaborative approach, with a strong service mentality.
• Excellent leadership and mentoring skills; ability to motivate and coach teams to peak performance.
• Effective communicator with strong written, verbal and presentation skills (Arabic & English).
• Bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting with a CA/CPA.

Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted advisor to the CEO / Superintendent, providing financial insight that supports long‑term strategic objectives and sustainable growth.
• Contribute as an active member of the school’s senior leadership team, shaping decisions that balance educational excellence with financial stewardship.
• Promote an “infinite game” mindset—ensuring decisions prioritize long‑term health, reputation, and viability of the school.
• Build strong relationships with academic and operational leaders to align financial planning with the school’s mission and future vision.
• Lead the annual budgeting process, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and realistic operational assumptions.
• Establish and enforce robust budgetary controls across all departments, including clear accountability, approval frameworks, and variance thresholds.
• Monitor budget performance through regular variance analysis, proactively identifying risks and implementing corrective actions.
• Oversee accurate and timely preparation of monthly management accounts and annual financial statements.
• Ensure full compliance with Kuwait Ministry of Education regulations and reporting requirements.
• Act as the primary liaison with external auditors, ensuring efficient audit processes and timely resolution of findings.
• Maintain strong internal controls, financial policies, and governance frameworks.
• Oversee core finance operations including accounts payable, receivable, payroll, and procurement.
• Identify financial and operational risks, particularly in relation to budget overruns, revenue assumptions, and cost pressures.

Skills

Leadership

Finance leadership

Strategic planning

Arabic & English communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance or accounting

CA/CPA

Job description

Dasman Bilingual School is seeking a passionate and knowledgeable Senior Finance Manager to join our growing team in September 2026.

About Dasman Bilingual School: Since 1996, Dasman Bilingual School has provided high-quality bilingual education in a safe and inclusive environment. We celebrate diversity and ensure that every student, regardless of background or ability, feels valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential. With a student body representing various nationalities and abilities, we foster a progressive and welcoming atmosphere that promotes academic excellence and personal growth. Committed to internationalism and global citizenship, Dasman embraces a holistic approach to education—empowering, engaging, inspiring, and motivating the youth of today to build a better future for tomorrow.

At DBS, we believe in “Never leave anyone behind.” Every student has unique skills, and we are committed to nurturing their potential to help them become productive, independent citizens. We recognize the importance of parental involvement and offer training sessions to keep families informed and engaged in their child’s development. Our goal is to become the first research-based practice school in the region, ensuring students thrive through evidence-based education. With science, innovation, and strong community support, we believe DBS can compete with top international schools worldwide.

About Cognita: Cognita is a global leader in independent education. Founded in 2004, we are a growing community of 100+ schools in 16 countries— in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East—serving more than 85,000 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’.

At Cognita, we know every student is unique. We nurture their distinct personalities and strengths. We support them academically, socially, and emotionally, wherever they are in the world, wherever they’re starting from. We protect what’s special about them, while offering them rich knowledge, opportunities, and best practices. And they get to be part of something bigger; ensuring they get an education that’s, quite literally, world class.

Role Overview

The Senior Finance Manager is a key leadership role, responsible for safeguarding the financial integrity and long‑term sustainability of the school. Reporting directly to the CEO / Superintendent, the role acts as a strategic and trusted advisor to the leadership team, with a clear focus on supporting the school’s long‑term objectives and enduring success.

Beyond day‑to‑day financial management, the role emphasizes stewardship of resources in alignment with the school’s mission—balancing immediate operational needs with long‑term value creation, investment in educational quality, and development of a long‑term commitment to growth.

A primary focus of the role is to ensure full compliance with Kuwait Ministry requirements, external audit standards, and internal governance policies, while embedding robust financial discipline and accountability across the school.

Leadership & Strategic Partnership

• Act as a trusted advisor to the CEO / Superintendent, providing financial insight that supports long‑term strategic objectives and sustainable growth
• Contribute as an active member of the school’s senior leadership team, shaping decisions that balance educational excellence with financial stewardship
• Promote an “infinite game” mindset—ensuring decisions prioritize the long‑term health, reputation, and viability of the school over short‑term gains
• Build strong relationships with academic and operational leaders to align financial planning with the school’s mission and future vision

Financial Management, Budgeting & Control

• Lead the annual budgeting process, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and realistic operational assumptions
• Establish and enforce robust budgetary controls across all departments, including clear accountability, approval frameworks, and variance thresholds
• Monitor budget performance through regular variance analysis, proactively identifying risks and implementing corrective actions
• Ensure disciplined cost management while safeguarding investment in key educational and strategic initiatives
• Develop rolling forecasts and scenario planning to support proactive decision‑making
• Oversee accurate and timely preparation of monthly management accounts and annual financial statements

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure full compliance with Kuwait Ministry of Education regulations and reporting requirements
• Act as the primary liaison with external auditors, ensuring efficient audit processes and timely resolution of findings
• Maintain strong internal controls, financial policies, and governance frameworks
• Ensure adherence to tax, statutory, and regulatory obligations

Operational Finance

• Oversee all core finance operations including accounts payable, receivable, payroll, and procurement
• Implement efficient financial processes and systems to enhance transparency and control
• Support procurement decisions with financial analysis to ensure value for money and alignment with budget constraints

Risk Management

• Identify financial and operational risks, particularly in relation to budget overruns, revenue assumptions, and cost pressures
• Implement mitigation strategies and strengthen financial oversight across the school

Safeguarding and Health & Safety Responsibilities

• Strategy: Positively contribute to the Health & Safety and Safeguarding improvement strategies within Cognita schools, nurseries and other business units
• Policy and Compliance: Familiarise self on Health & Safety and Safeguarding policies and procedures. Support, as necessary, with adherence and awareness to the policies
• Incident Reporting: Ensure Health & Safety and Safeguarding concerns are reported on the appropriate reporting platforms inline with the Incident Reporting Policy and SIRF guidance document
• Training and Awareness: Ensure timely completion of Health & Safety and Safeguarding training courses provided for your role. Seek out training opportunities as relevant to improve safety within Cognita schools, nurseries and other business units
• Emergency Preparedness: Be aware of the Emergency Response Procedures for your setting, ensure you partake in mandatory drills and training exercises
• Risk Assessment: Ensure risk assessments are completed for areas within your responsibility. Seek training and feedback as necessary to mitigate the likelihood of harm from occurring
• Culture: Act as a role model for Health & Safety and Safeguarding practices, promoting a positive and safe culture within the organization

Requirements

• Proven leadership experience and professional track record in managing finance teams
• At least five years’ experience in regional leadership, preferably in the Kuwait
• Demonstrated efficiency of execution, flexibility and adaptability
• Collaborative approach, with a strong service mentality
• Excellent leadership and mentoring skills; ability to motivate and coach teams to peak performance
• Effective communicator with strong written, verbal and presentation skills (Arabic & English)
• A bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting with a CA/CPA

Dasman Bilingual School and Cognita are committed tosafeguarding the welfare of children and young people and expects the same from its employees. All new staff will be subject to detailed and enhanced pre-employment clearance, including identity checks, criminal background checks for all countries lived in, qualification checks, employment checks to include an exploration of any gaps in employment, and satisfactory reference checks for all employment in the last 10 years.