Our client, an international industrial group, is looking for a Chief Financial Officer to lead the finance function of its Saudi Arabian subsidiary, based in Jubail.
The CFO will act as a strategic business partner to the local CEO, with a direct functional reporting line to the Group CFO. The role covers financial control, regulatory compliance, business performance management and alignment with Group financial policies and standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Financial management: lead quarterly and annual closing, budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, cash flow management, project reviews and performance analysis.
- Reporting and consolidation: ensure accurate and timely monthly reporting under Group standards, including IFRS where applicable.
- Statutory compliance: oversee Saudi accounting, tax, VAT, Zakat, corporate income tax and other local regulatory requirements, and ensure regulatory watch.
- Internal controls and audit: maintain effective controls, risk management and compliance with Group procedures. Act as a partner to the internal audit function.
- Business partnering: support the CEO in operational decisions, performance management and cost control.
- Treasury and working capital: manage liquidity, banking relationships, receivables, payables and cash optimization in line with Group guidelines.
- Team leadership: manage and develop the local finance team and coordinate with Group Finance.
- Transformation: improve financial processes, reporting systems and operational efficiency in line with internal audit recommendations, the Group CFO and approved initiatives. Develop a financial culture across operational departments.
Experience
- 10+ years of relevant finance experience, including at least 3 to 5 years in a senior finance leadership role.
- Proven experience as CFO, Finance Director, Financial Control Manager or equivalent.
- Experience in Saudi Arabia or the wider Gulf region strongly preferred.
- Experience in a multinational environment, ideally within a European or North American headquartered group.
- Demonstrated ability to work with both local management and an international headquarters.
- Experience in a project-based business is highly appreciated (sales and margin recognition based on project completion, and all related financial impacts).
- Experience managing a Saudi subsidiary reporting to an international headquarters is highly desirable.
Technical Skills
- Strong knowledge of financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, cash management and internal controls.
- Good understanding of IFRS and Saudi statutory accounting and tax requirements.
- Familiarity with ZATCA requirements, including VAT, Zakat and corporate income tax.
- ERP experience mandatory, ideally Microsoft Business Central (ex NAV).
- Power BI skills appreciated.
- Knowledge of financing tools, including bank guarantees and letters of credit.
- Strong analytical skills and business acumen.
Education
- Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics or a related field.
- Professional qualification such as ACCA, CPA, CMA or equivalent preferred.
Languages and Personal Attributes
- Fluent business English and Arabic required (many local documents, tax invoices and contracts are in Arabic only, and some suppliers and bankers only speak Arabic).
- Strong leadership, integrity, rigor, communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Able to operate autonomously in a matrix reporting structure, balancing local business priorities with Group requirements.
- Long-term vision combined with the ability to dig deep into details.
- High capacity for work and resilience under pressure.