Director of Finance - Group / Holding Company

We are seeking an experienced, strategic, and commercially focused Director of Finance to lead the Corporate Finance function of a diversified UAE-based Group with operations and investments across hospitality, real estate, construction, retail, and mall operations. The successful candidate will provide strategic financial leadership across multiple subsidiaries and business units, ensuring strong financial governance, accurate reporting, effective cash and working capital management, robust internal controls, and sound financial decision-making. The role will work closely with the Group CEO, Executive Management, shareholders, senior leadership, and business unit heads, providing financial insights and recommendations to support the Group's investment decisions, growth strategy, profitability, and long-term financial sustainability. Candidates with proven experience in recognized holding companies, investment companies, diversified conglomerates, large family-owned business groups, or multi-entity organizations are strongly preferred. Key Responsibilities Group Finance & Financial Leadership Lead and oversee the Group's Corporate Finance function and provide strategic financial direction across all subsidiaries and business units. Establish and maintain strong Group-wide financial policies, procedures, controls, and governance frameworks. Oversee financial management across multiple legal entities, subsidiaries, investments, and operating businesses. Provide strategic financial advice to the Group CEO, Executive Management, shareholders, and Board-level stakeholders. Develop financial strategies aligned with the Group's overall business and investment objectives. Ensure effective coordination between Corporate Finance and the Finance teams of individual operating entities. Financial Reporting & Consolidation Oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting across the Group. Ensure timely and accurate preparation of management accounts, financial statements, consolidation reports, and Group performance reports. Review consolidated financial results and provide meaningful analysis of Group performance. Establish standardized financial reporting and KPI frameworks across subsidiaries. Analyze financial performance, trends, variances, profitability, and key business drivers. Present financial results, forecasts, risks, and recommendations to senior management and shareholders. Budgeting, Forecasting & Business Planning Lead the annual Group budgeting and forecasting process. Develop long-term financial plans, business forecasts, and financial models. Monitor actual performance against budgets and forecasts and identify significant variances. Work with business unit leaders to develop corrective action plans and improve financial performance. Establish and monitor Group-wide financial KPIs. Conduct scenario planning and sensitivity analysis to support strategic decision-making. Treasury, Cash Flow & Working Capital Oversee Group cash flow planning, liquidity management, and treasury activities. Monitor working capital, receivables, payables, collections, and financial commitments. Ensure appropriate cash allocation across subsidiaries and business units. Manage banking relationships and coordinate with financial institutions. Review financing requirements, credit facilities, guarantees, and other banking arrangements. Develop strategies to optimize liquidity, financing costs, and working capital. Investment & Commercial Finance Support the Group's investment and strategic decision-making process through financial analysis and commercial evaluation. Review investment proposals, feasibility studies, business plans, and financial models. Conduct financial due diligence for potential acquisitions, investments, partnerships, and new business ventures. Evaluate return on investment, project viability, payback periods, and financial risks. Support capital allocation decisions across the Group's businesses and investment portfolio. Provide financial analysis for new developments, acquisitions, disposals, restructuring, and expansion projects. Review major commercial agreements, contracts, financing arrangements, and financial commitments. Asset & Capital Management Oversee the financial management of the Group's real estate, hospitality, construction, retail, mall, and other operating assets. Monitor fixed assets, capital expenditure, asset registers, depreciation, disposals, and asset utilization. Review capital expenditure proposals and ensure appropriate financial justification and approval. Monitor major development and construction projects from a financial perspective. Review project budgets, costs, commitments, variations, cash flow requirements, and financial performance. Identify opportunities to improve asset utilization and return on investment. Financial Controls & Risk Management Strengthen internal financial controls across the Group. Identify financial, operational, liquidity, investment, and compliance risks and implement appropriate mitigation measures. Review revenue, procurement, payroll, inventory, expenses, cash handling, and payment controls. Ensure appropriate segregation of duties, approval authorities, and financial accountability. Work closely with Internal Audit to address control weaknesses and implement corrective actions. Support fraud-risk assessments and financial investigations where required. Compliance, Tax & Audit Ensure compliance with applicable UAE financial, tax, and statutory requirements. Oversee VAT, Corporate Tax, and other relevant tax compliance activities in coordination with internal teams and external advisors. Ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards and Group reporting requirements. Lead and coordinate the annual external audit process across Group entities. Liaise with external auditors, internal auditors, tax advisors, consultants, banks, and other professional advisors. Ensure timely resolution of audit findings and recommendations. Leadership & Team Management Lead, develop, and mentor the Corporate Finance team and support the development of finance teams across Group entities. Establish clear responsibilities, performance standards, reporting structures, and accountability. Promote a culture of financial discipline, transparency, accuracy, and continuous improvement. Ensure Finance operates as a strategic business partner rather than solely as a reporting function. Collaborate closely with Finance, Internal Audit, HR, Procurement, Operations, Engineering, IT, and other corporate functions. Strategic & Special Projects Support the Group CEO and senior management on strategic financial initiatives. Participate in acquisitions, investments, restructuring, refinancing, and other corporate transactions. Support due diligence, valuations, financial modelling, and transaction analysis. Provide financial input into new business opportunities and strategic projects. Undertake special financial reviews and assignments as directed by senior management or shareholders.

Desired Candidate Profile

Requirements Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or a related field. Professional qualification such as CA, ACCA, CPA, CMA, CIMA, or equivalent is highly preferred. Minimum 10–15 years of progressive finance and accounting experience, including significant senior management experience. Proven experience as a Director of Finance, Finance Director, Group Financial Controller, or equivalent senior finance leadership position. Strong prior experience with a recognized holding company, investment company, diversified conglomerate, large family-owned business group, or multi-entity organization is strongly preferred. Proven experience managing finance functions across multiple subsidiaries, legal entities, business units, and investments. Strong experience in Group consolidation, management reporting, budgeting, forecasting, treasury, cash flow management, and financial controls. Experience in hospitality, real estate, construction, retail, malls, or other asset-intensive businesses is highly advantageous. Strong exposure to investment analysis, capital expenditure, project accounting, asset management, working capital, and financial risk management. Strong knowledge of financial governance, internal controls, financial reporting, and management accounting. Good understanding of UAE VAT, Corporate Tax, accounting standards, and statutory reporting requirements. Proven experience developing and implementing Group-wide financial policies, procedures, and control frameworks. Experience working directly with Group CEOs, Boards of Directors, shareholders, Investment Committees, and senior executives. Strong analytical, commercial, strategic, leadership, negotiation, and decision-making capabilities. Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills. Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and ERP/financial management systems. Preferred Profile The ideal candidate will be a strategic and commercially minded finance leader with a strong track record within a recognized holding company, investment company or diversified corporation. The candidate should have demonstrated experience managing complex multi-entity and multi-sector finance operations, including Group reporting, consolidation, budgeting, forecasting, treasury, cash flow, investment analysis, financial controls, and strategic financial planning. Candidates with experience supporting investment decisions, acquisitions, new business ventures, capital investments, real estate developments, hospitality assets, construction projects, retail operations, and mall investments will be highly preferred. The successful candidate should be comfortable operating in a Board-level and shareholder-driven environment, providing clear financial insights, challenging assumptions where necessary, identifying financial risks, and presenting practical recommendations to support the Group's strategic objectives. A strong understanding of both operating businesses and investment portfolios, together with the ability to balance financial governance with commercial growth, will be highly valued. What We Offer Senior leadership opportunity within a diversified UAE-based Group. Exposure to multiple industries, operating businesses, assets, and investments. Opportunity to influence Group-wide financial strategy and investment decisions. Direct exposure to senior management and shareholders. Professional and commercially driven working environment. Competitive compensation package based on experience and qualifications. Employment Type Full-time

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