Job Description

Our client is a large diverse family group. Due to a lack of female presence in the senior management team, our client wants to diversify and bring a strong female leader into the business for the CFO role.

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a strategic business partner to the CEO and family members,  being responsible for all aspects of the company's financial performance and operations. This highly visible and impactful role requires a seasoned executive with a proven track record of success in driving financial growth of a large diverse group, in a complex and dynamic environment. The ideal candidate will possess maturity, exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with a deep understanding of family dynamics, corporate strategy, and stakeholder management.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Financial Leadership:
  • Develop and execute the company's long-term financial strategy, including capital allocation, M&A, and strategic investments.
  • Partner with the CEO and executive teams to develop and implement the overall business strategy, providing critical financial insights and guidance.
  • Oversee all aspects of financial planning and analysis, including budgeting, forecasting, and performance reporting.
  • Drive continuous improvement in financial performance through rigorous analysis, process optimization, and effective resource allocation.
• Financial Operations & Risk Management:
  • Overall responsibility for all aspects of a large finance team, (including Managers in each of: FP&A, accounting, treasury, tax, and internal controls)
  • Ensure compliance with all relevant financial regulations, including International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
  • Manage and mitigate financial risks, including credit risk, market risk, and operational risk.
  • Develop and maintain strong relationships with external auditors, banks, and investors.
• Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) & Corporate Development:
  • Lead and execute M&A transactions, both locally in the UAE and overseas in the GCC and rest of world, including identifying and evaluating potential acquisition targets, conducting due diligence, negotiating transaction terms, and integrating acquired companies.
  • Advise on strategic investments, potential joint ventures, and other corporate development opportunities.
• Stakeholder Management:
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with key internal stakeholders, Board of directors, and external advisors.
  • Effectively communicate financial performance and strategy to a wide range of audiences, including the executive team, board of directors, JV partners, and analysts.
  • Represent the company with external stakeholders, including industry associations and regulatory bodies.
• Team Leadership & Development:
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing finance team, fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and collaboration.
  • Attract, develop, and retain top talent within the finance organization.

Qualifications:

• Females only – due to diversifying the senior management team.
• Fully qualified chartered accountant – this can be any of: CPA, ACCA, CA, ICAEW, CMA, CIMA etc.  Candidates who have none of these qualifications will not be considered.
• MBA or Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting
• 20+ years of progressive experience in finance, with at least 10 years of experience in a senior leadership role (e.g., CFO, VP Finance in a large complex company – i.e. over 5000 employees).
• Proven track record of success in driving financial performance and creating shareholder value in a complex and dynamic business environment.
• Deep understanding of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and financial reporting best practices.
• Experience in M&A and corporate finance
• Experience in capital markets and preparing for IPO is preferable
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively influence and build consensus across all levels of the organization.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams.
• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.

Thank you for your application.  Only suitable candidates will be contacted.

Please note that by applying to this role, your profile will be searchable in our database.  Our Recruiters will contact you should another suitable role become available.