Director - Finance Controls, Projects - Abu Dhabi

Job Description

Who we are looking for

This one calls for all the number crunchers, spreadsheet maestros and challenge seeking bright minds out there. If you have a keen eye for detail and years of Financial leadership in a Projects setting, then the Director - Financial Controls role is just for you!

Job Purpose

Responsible for leading and overseeing Portfolios financial management, Budgeting and Forecasting, reporting, and operational controls. This includes preparing detailed financial analysis, costing, profitability assessments, and MIS reporting to support informed decision-making by Portfolio leadership, Steering Committee and Holding Company.

The role entails managing the preparation of Portfolio budget, financial plans, and forecasts, ensuring alignment with organizational policies, and approved assumptions. Additionally, the incumbent oversees corporate accounts payable, group payroll, group tax processing, and financial accounting activities; this includes general ledger management, consolidation and audit readiness, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and transparency across all financial operations.

Core Responsibilities:

• Provide detailed financial insights and recommendations to senior management, aiding decision-making and cost optimization.
• Oversee the preparation, review, and submission of financial performance reports to the Portfolio leadership, Steering Committee, Holding Company, and other stakeholders, including materials for public disclosures and government entities.
• Support the preparation of investment proposals, CAPEX reviews, and stress tests.
• Manage the preparation of Portfolio budgets, financial plans, and quarterly and annual forecasts, including variances and corrective actions, ensuring alignment with Portfolio and organizational objectives and guidelines.
• Develop and maintain cost allocation keys, cost center structures, and budgetary control procedures, ensuring accurate transactional-level approvals and compliance with the Delegation of Authority (DOA).
• Design and maintain costing systems and develop MIS reports to support decision-making.
• Coordinate the development, implementation, and enhancement of business intelligence tools for financial reporting and analysis.
• Oversee Portfolio accounts payable, payroll, and tax processing, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and compliance with financial policies and regulations.
• Collaborate with HR on payroll-related processes, employee loans, pensions, and cost analysis for employee exits and settlements.
• Reconcile payroll accounts, supplier statements, and credit cards, ensuring accurate postings to the General Ledger (GL).
• Ensure the integrity of the GL system, maintaining accurate and up-to-date entries for payroll, accounts receivable/payable, cash, depreciation, and other accounts.
• Lead the consolidation of financial data and preparation of comprehensive financial statements in compliance with IFRS and regulatory requirements.
• Supervise account reconciliations and maintain an effective chart of accounts for financial reporting needs.
• Ensure audit readiness by maintaining accurate records and documentation, supporting internal and external audits, and preparing for Audit Committee and Steering Committee meetings.
• Enforce proper monthly book closures and compliance with financial, legal, and administrative requirements.
• Recommend actions to improve financial systems and controls.

• Manage the integration of budgets and forecasts into financial systems (e.g., Oracle Fusion) and oversee system updates for assumptions and processes.
• Maintain ERP-related setups for budget control, approval hierarchies, and financial reporting.
• Ensure seamless integration of payroll, employee loans, and pension processes into the ERP system.
• Coordinate the design, implementation, and enhancement of ERP modules to support budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Manage the full system integration of Oracle Fusion for budgets and forecasts, ensuring data accuracy and consistency.
• Update and maintain Oracle Fusion requirements related to budget assumptions, processes, and reporting needs.
• Oversee the accuracy of data within ERP systems, conduct regular checks, and execute cleanup activities as necessary.
• Perform reconciliations of payroll accounts, supplier statements, and other financial data within the ERP system to ensure accuracy and compliance.

People Management Responsibilities:

• Establish and manage the Finance Controls team, including: a) finalizing manpower needs, obtaining requisite approvals, and ensuring alignment with organizational goals; b) ensuring their performance, workload, and development are effectively managed.
• Conduct performance planning, evaluations, and assessments for team members, providing regular feedback and coaching to foster ongoing capability development.
• Manage the resolution of escalated issues from team members and provide guidance to ensure smooth operations.
• Conduct training sessions for Portfolio employees on various finance-related aspects, sharing subject matter expertise and transferring knowledge to enhance team capabilities.
• Plan and participate in the ongoing training and development of assigned UAE National employees, including assessing their training needs, developing structured programs, monitoring progress, and providing counseling as required.
• Develop department budgets in conjunction with the unit&aposs overall budget, track expenses, and ensure adherence to financial guidelines.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with employees, suppliers and stakeholders to support effective collaboration and issue resolution.

Strategic Responsibilities:

• Develop plans and goals to enhance efficiency and effectiveness within AP and payroll functions.
• Strategize system and manpower optimization plans.
• Prepare and deliver financial reports to management and government agencies.
• Develop, implement, and enforce budgets, policies, and controls to enhance accuracy and efficiency.
• Foster effective relations with the HR team.
• Participate in the formulation of the overall Portfolio Finance strategy and ensure the alignment of Finance objectives.
• Act as a strategic advisor to the leadership team on GL best practices and trends.

• Bachelor&aposs degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or equivalent. Master&aposs degree is a plus.
• Professional accounting qualifications such as CPA, CMA, ACCA or equivalent
• A minimum of 15 years of finance-related experience, including at least 5 years of independently heading the FP&A (Financial Planning & Analysis) or Budgeting and Strong leadership abilities with proven experience in managing and developing teams.
• Excellent relationship-building, influencing, and communication skills to engage with stakeholders and business partners effectively.
• Strong business acumen and broader business consciousness to align financial strategies with organizational goals.
• Negotiation skills to manage contracts, vendors, and other financial matters.
• Exceptional decision-making and problem-solving capabilities to address complex financial challenges.
• Ability to analyze data, identify trends, and provide actionable insights for business improvement.