Head of Finance

Job Title: Head of Finance – Development

Department: Finance & Strategy

Reports To: Chief Executive Officer / Managing Director

Position Overview:

The Head of Finance – Development will lead the financial management and strategic direction of all development and investment projects within the organization. This role requires a strong financial strategist with hands-on expertise in project accounting, budgeting, feasibility, and investment analysis. The successful candidate should possess a balance of strategic vision and micromanagement capability to ensure financial accuracy, compliance, and performance efficiency across all levels of operation.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic & Financial Leadership:

• Develop and execute comprehensive financial strategies to support the organization's development and growth objectives.
• Partner with the CEO and senior leadership to evaluate investment opportunities and drive financial decision-making.
• Oversee financial feasibility studies and cost-benefit analyses for new and ongoing projects.
• Establish long-term financial planning aligned with business goals and market dynamics.

Operational & Micromanagement Responsibilities:

• Maintain close supervision and control over day-to-day financial operations, ensuring precision in budgeting, accounting, and reporting.
• Review and verify all major financial transactions, project costs, and fund utilization.
• Implement strict financial discipline, monitoring expenditures and approvals at each project stage.
• Identify process inefficiencies and enforce financial best practices across departments.
• Ensure the finance team adheres to deadlines, accuracy standards, and compliance guidelines.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Financial Control:

• Lead preparation of annual budgets, project budgets, and rolling forecasts.
• Continuously monitor financial performance versus targets and provide variance analysis.
• Develop and maintain robust cost control systems and project expenditure tracking tools.

Funding & Treasury Management:

• Devise capital structuring and fundraising strategies through banks, investors, or joint ventures.
• Oversee liquidity, working capital, and treasury operations.
• Ensure optimal utilization of financial resources across multiple projects.

Governance, Compliance & Risk Management:

• Ensure full compliance with UAE regulatory requirements, IFRS, and internal audit standards.
• Identify potential financial risks and establish effective mitigation plans.
• Liaise with auditors, legal advisors, and government authorities for statutory compliance.
• Maintain transparency and governance in all financial reporting and documentation.

Leadership & Team Development:

• Lead and mentor a multi-disciplinary finance team, fostering accountability, efficiency, and ownership.
• Encourage professional growth and skill development within the department.
• Promote a culture of precision, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications & Experience Requirements:

• Education:
• Bachelor's degree in finance, Accounting, or Commerce.

• Master's Degree (MBA) or professional qualification (CA, CPA, ACCA, CMA) preferred.

• Experience:

• Minimum 12–15 years of progressive financial experience, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership position.
• Proven track record in real estate development, infrastructure, or investment sectors.
• Strong background in project financing, budgeting, and micro-level operational control.
• Experience in managing multi-company or group-level finance functions.

• Hands-on experience with ERP systems, project accounting tools, and financial reporting software.

• Technical Skills:

• Financial modeling, investment analysis, and cash flow forecasting.
• In-depth knowledge of IFRS, corporate taxation, and compliance frameworks.
• Advanced proficiency in MS Excel, Power BI, and ERP systems (SAP / Oracle / Microsoft Dynamics).