Job description

Position Summary

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is responsible for the overall financial leadership, governance, and strategic direction of the Holding Company and its subsidiaries. The Group comprises trading companies, manufacturing operations, investment holdings, and private shareholder ventures across multiple industries.

The CFO serves as a strategic business partner to the Shareholders by ensuring sustainable profitability, protecting shareholder assets, optimizing capital allocation, strengthening financial controls, and supporting business expansion. The role oversees all finance functions including accounting, treasury, taxation, budgeting, business planning, reporting, compliance, risk management, investments, and corporate governance.

The CFO is expected to provide commercial insight beyond traditional finance, supporting acquisitions, new business opportunities, restructuring initiatives, and shareholder wealth management.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Develop and execute the Group's financial strategy aligned with corporate objectives.
• Advise the shareholders on financial planning, capital investments, acquisitions, divestments, and business expansion.
• Lead long-term financial forecasting and strategic business planning.
• Evaluate investment opportunities and recommend optimal financing structures.
• Support mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships.
• Drive continuous improvement in profitability and return on investment across all business units.

Group Financial Management

• Oversee the financial performance of all subsidiaries and affiliated companies.
• Consolidate financial statements across multiple legal entities.
• Ensure timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting.
• Monitor business performance through financial KPIs and management dashboards.
• Analyze profitability by business segment, product line, and operating company.
• Present financial performance to the Board with strategic recommendations.

Treasury & Cash Flow Management

• Manage Group cash flow and liquidity to ensure optimal working capital.
• Develop funding strategies for business growth and capital expenditures.
• Oversee banking relationships, financing facilities, and debt management.
• Optimize cash utilization across all companies within the Group.
• Monitor foreign exchange exposure and financial risks.
• Ensure adequate insurance coverage and financial protection measures.

Budgeting & Financial Planning

• Lead the annual budgeting process for all subsidiaries.
• Develop rolling forecasts and long-term financial models.
• Review departmental budgets and monitor financial performance.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities while supporting business growth.
• Ensure capital expenditure is aligned with strategic priorities.

Manufacturing Finance

• Oversee financial management of manufacturing operations.
• Monitor production costs, inventory valuation, standard costing, and gross margins.
• Review product costing and pricing strategies.
• Support operational improvements through financial analysis.
• Monitor capital investments in machinery and production facilities.

Trading Business Finance

• Monitor trading profitability, inventory turnover, and working capital.
• Evaluate supplier credit, customer credit exposure, and trade financing.
• Support pricing decisions through commercial analysis.
• Ensure financial controls over import/export operations and international trade.

Investment & Shareholder Portfolio Management

• Oversee financial performance of shareholder investments.
• Evaluate new investment opportunities.
• Monitor returns on investment and portfolio performance.
• Support private shareholder ventures with financial planning and reporting.
• Coordinate with external financial advisors, banks, and investment managers.

Corporate Governance & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with UAE financial regulations and international accounting standards.
• Maintain strong internal controls and financial governance.
• Oversee statutory audits and external audit relationships.
• Ensure tax compliance, including Corporate Tax and VAT requirements.
• Develop and implement financial policies across all Group companies.
• Maintain compliance with banking covenants and regulatory obligations.

Risk Management

• Identify financial and operational risks across the Group.
• Develop mitigation strategies to protect company assets.
• Monitor credit risk, liquidity risk, foreign exchange exposure, and investment risks.
• Ensure business continuity from a financial perspective.

Leadership & People Management

• Lead and develop the Group Finance team across multiple entities.
• Build high-performing finance and accounting functions.
• Mentor Finance Managers and Controllers.
• Promote accountability, ethical conduct, and continuous improvement.
• Foster collaboration with operational departments to support business objectives.

Skills

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related discipline.
• MBA is highly desirable.
• Professional qualification such as CPA, ACCA, CA, or CMA is required.

Experience

• Minimum 15 years of progressive finance leadership experience.
• At least 8 years in a senior finance executive role (CFO, Finance Director, or Group Finance Director).
• Experience within a diversified holding company is highly preferred.
• Strong background in both manufacturing and trading businesses.
• Experience managing multiple legal entities and consolidated financial reporting.
• Proven experience working with shareholders, Boards, and executive leadership.
• Experience in UAE Corporate Tax, VAT, and GCC financial regulations.
• Exposure to investment management, mergers & acquisitions, and corporate restructuring is highly desirable.