Global Finance Director

Role Overview:

The Global Finance Director (FD) will lead the company's financial reporting, control, and operational finance functions — including
Financial Control, Tax, Procurement, and Finance Systems
— ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and compliance across all areas. This role will directly oversee the heads of Tax, Procurement, and Finance Systems, ensuring alignment and integration within the overall finance strategy.

The position requires deep expertise in financial controls within a fintech/payments environment, including regulatory reporting (e.g., CBUAE), robust internal control frameworks, and the management of audits, investor relations, and cross-functional operational finance processes.

Key Responsibilities:

Book-keeping, Account Management and Technical Accounting:

• Generate monthly Balance Sheets, P&L, and Cash Flow Statements for all entities.

• Maintain subsidiary accounts by verifying, allocating, and posting transactions

• Balance subsidiary accounts by reconciling entries

• Maintain general ledger by transferring subsidiary account summaries

• Improve system and automation of book- keeping and recording

• Ensure rigorous month end reporting process including results analysis and commentary

• Seek practices to reduce financial risk of the company

• Monitor cash flow, accounts, payroll and other financial transactions

• Identify and implement practices to reduce financial risk across jurisdictions

Reporting

• Prepare financial reports by collecting, analysing, and summarising account information and trends

• Ensure IFRS-compliant consolidated accounts and manage 13+ external reporting obligations across the group

• Provide technical financial advice and support the Board/Investors

• Support the Global CFO in developing financial strategy and technical accounting matters

• Ensure timely preparation of financial statements and reports for internal stakeholders and regulators (e.g., CBUAE, ESR, VAT).

• Develop strong relationship with auditors in a global context

Running and Building a Team and Systems across Multiple Jurisdictions

• Build and maintain relationships with a Finance team across multiple jurisdictions

• Work on a multi-jurisdiction finance team structure

• Grow individuals and define the team structure as the company goes global

• Work closely with the Head of Financial Transform on the maintenance and use of the ERP (NetSuite)

Tax

• Partner with the Global Head of Tax on audits, filings, and regulatory submissions

• Support the Group's tax reporting obligations and ensure accurate and timely submission of VAT, Corporation Tax and other returns

• Optimise corporate tax through TP and patent box

• Optimise VAT spend

• Review and refine TP model as the business evolves

• Support transfer pricing documentation and maintain country files where required

Cash Flow & Treasury Management:

• Manage company cash flow, liquidity forecasting, and working capital.

• Partner with the Head of Treasury to supervise banking operations, payment gateway reconciliations, and merchant settlements.

Internal Control and Compliance

• Ensure that all of the company's financial practices are in line with statutory regulations and legislation and file tax and accounts across multiple jurisdictions

• Ensure compliance with UAE laws and Central Bank of UAE regulations for payment institutions.

• Lead all statutory and regulatory filings including ESR compliance, and audit requirements.

• Coordinate with legal, compliance, and risk teams on financial governance matters.

• Maintain effective relationships with service providers and contractors

• Enhance internal control frameworks in line with best practice and future IPO/fundraising readiness

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, or Economics.

• CPA / ACCA / CA in Big 4 or equivalent required.

• 12–15 years of progressive finance experience, with at least 3 years in a similar role in fintech, payments, banking, or e-commerce.

• Strong understanding of IFRS, UAE VAT, ESR, and CBUAE regulatory requirements.

• Prior experience with fintech payment workflows, including reconciliation of settlements, merchant pay-outs, and gateway reporting.

Key Competencies:

• High attention to detail and accuracy.

• Strategic financial acumen with operational problem-solving skills.

• Excellent Excel and financial modelling skills.

• Familiarity with accounting/ERP systems (e.g., Oracle, NetSuite, SAP, Zoho).

• Strong communication, leadership, and stakeholder management abilities.

KPIs:

• Timely and accurate financial reporting (monthly, quarterly, annual).

• Compliance score (VAT, ESR, CBUAE submissions).

• Budget vs. actual variance thresholds.

• Days to close books per cycle.

• Audit findings and resolution ratio.

• Treasury efficiency (cash flow forecasts vs. actuals).

• Team performance and process improvement outcomes.