Group Finance Manager / Finance Controller

Purpose of the Job

To provide strategic financial leadership and support to ensure smooth operational processes, accurate financial reporting, and strong financial governance across the Group. The Group Finance Manager/Controller will oversee the financial operations of the commercial trading, retail, and real estate sectors within the Group, ensuring compliance with company policies and delivering insights to drive profitability, operational efficiency, and sustainable growth.

Job Accountabilities

Cash Flow and Liquidity Management:

Oversee and manage group-wide cash flow to ensure liquidity and operational efficiency across all business units within the Group, while forecasting daily, weekly, and monthly cash flow requirements.

Optimize financing decisions to align with the Group's financial strategy and monitor working capital to ensure cash management strategies support both operational needs and growth objectives.

Risk and Financial Decisions:

Evaluate risk/return trade-offs across business units, ensuring prudent financial decisions are made within company guidelines.

Contribute to risk management discussions and strategies, supporting the CFO in mitigating financial and operational risks across the Group.

Financial Reporting & Analysis:

Lead and oversee financial reporting, ad-hoc analyses, and business modeling, leveraging tools such as Excel, ERP systems, and business intelligence platforms to provide key financial insights for the Group.

Prepare and present detailed monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports, highlighting performance, risks, and opportunities, while supporting the CFO in delivering high-level financial overviews to the executive team and Board of Directors.

Strategy Support and Business Reviews:

Spearhead the development of the annual operating plan and long-term strategic planning, ensuring alignment with the Group’s financial objectives and strategic goals.

Lead quarterly and monthly business reviews across the Group, providing actionable insights to senior leadership to drive decision-making.

Evaluate business unit performance against strategic goals, recommending adjustments where necessary to optimize results.

Financial Controls and Budgeting:

Spearhead the development of the annual operating plan and long-term strategic planning, ensuring alignment with the Group's financial objectives and overall goals.

Lead quarterly and monthly business reviews, providing actionable insights to senior leadership, while evaluating business unit performance and recommending adjustments to optimize results.

Business Performance & Benchmarking:

Establish and evaluate performance benchmarks across business units, identifying financial improvements and business growth opportunities, while conducting benchmarking exercises to assess the Group’s performance relative to industry peers.

Lead the development of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and management information systems to effectively track and monitor financial performance across the Group.

Complex Financial Modeling & Business Optimization:

Perform complex financial modeling and analysis across the Group’s various sectors to drive revenue growth, optimize cost structures, and identify operational improvements.

Provide financial modeling expertise to assist with capital expenditure decisions, mergers, acquisitions, or other strategic initiatives.

Business Development & Profitability:

Support the business development teams in identifying new commercial opportunities, driving revenue growth within the commercial trading, retail, and real estate sectors.

Recommend, develop, and implement financial policies and programs that enhance profitability, efficiency, and competitiveness across the Group.

Compliance & Governance:

Ensure full compliance with local laws, tax regulations, and industry standards related to financial, operational, and quality matters.

Assist the CFO in managing the governance framework across the Group, ensuring financial and operational compliance.

Team Leadership & Development:

Lead and develop a high-performing finance team, ensuring that the team is aligned with corporate values and continuously growing professionally.

Provide guidance and mentorship to finance staff, equipping the team to effectively support the Group’s operational and strategic objectives.

Promote a culture of financial discipline, transparency, and accountability within the finance department.

Qualifications & Education

• BSc/BA in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Chartered Accountant, CPA, ACCA, or equivalent certification preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of relevant finance experience, including at least 3 years in a managerial or senior leadership role.
• Strong exposure to the commercial trading, retail, and real estate sectors is a must, with a proven track record in financial strategy, reporting, and performance management.
• ERP Implementation Skills required especially in SAP

Knowledge & Skills

• Fluent in English; proficiency in Arabic is an advantage.
• Strong knowledge of financial reporting, advanced Excel skills.
• Expertise in financial modeling, forecasting, and performance measurement.
• Solid understanding of accounting principles, financial regulations, and industry best practices for commercial trading, retail, and real estate sectors.
• Ability to perform complex financial analysis and business optimization within diverse sectors.
• Experience in managing financial systems and reporting tools to deliver timely and accurate financial data.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and presentation skills, with the ability to influence senior management and key stakeholders.