Head of Finance (UAE National)

Mark Williams is partnering with a leading company based in the banking/financial services sector to appoint a Head of Finance based in Dubai Our client is a highly respected and well-established company with a strong presence across the Middle East. As the business grows, they are seeking a Head of Finance who can manage relationships and support the continuous growth of the company. The Opportunity Reporting directly to the CFO, this role will play a pivotal role in organisation and will consist of the following duties: Key Responsibilities • Lead financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and performance reporting across the Financial Institutions business • Partner with senior business leaders to provide strategic financial advice commercial insights, and recommendations to support business growth • Analyse financial performance, profitability, pricing strategies, and capital allocation to identify opportunities for improvement • Develop financial models, business cases, and scenario analyses to support strategic initiatives, new products, and market expansion • Deliver consolidated financial reporting and actionable insights to support informed decision-making • Prepare financial presentations, management reports, and performance updates for senior leadership and executive committees • Play a key role in finance transformation initiatives, including automation, digital reporting, and improvements to financial processes • Support the financial integration of new products, technology enhancements, and business transformation programmes • Drive improvements in financial reporting capabilities through dashboards, advanced analytics, and digital solutions • Collaborate with teams to improve data accuracy, reporting efficiency, and financial visibility • Identify opportunities to streamline planning processes, strengthen financial controls, and enhance operational efficiency • Ensure financial activities comply with internal governance frameworks, IFRS, and applicable regulatory requirements • Work closely with internal teams to support effective financial management and governance • Provide financial oversight and commercial input into cross-functional projects and business initiatives • Support balance sheet optimisation, transfer pricing considerations, and financial risk management Candidate Requirements • Degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related discipline • Professional accounting qualification such as ACCA, ACA, CPA, or CIMA would be advantageous • Strong experience in financial planning and analysis, finance business partnering, or strategic finance within the banking or financial services sector • Exposure to Financial Institutions, Corporate Banking, Wholesale Banking, or related business lines would be highly desirable • Proven experience working with senior stakeholders and translating complex financial information into commercial recommendation • Experience supporting finance transformation, digitalisation reporting automation • Knowledge of IFRS, financial controls, and regulatory requirements within banking • Advanced financial modelling, analytical, and reporting capabilities • Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills • Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, complex, and internationally focused environment

Degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related discipline. Professional accounting qualification such as ACCA, ACA, CPA, or CIMA would be advantageous. Strong experience in financial planning and analysis, finance business partnering, or strategic finance within the banking or financial services sector. Exposure to Financial Institutions, Corporate Banking, Wholesale Banking, or related business lines would be highly desirable. Proven experience working with senior stakeholders and translating complex financial information into commercial recommendation. Experience supporting finance transformation, digitalisation reporting automation. Knowledge of IFRS, financial controls, and regulatory requirements within banking. Advanced financial modelling, analytical, and reporting capabilities. Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills. Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, complex, and internationally focused environment.

Lead financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and performance reporting across the Financial Institutions business. Partner with senior business leaders to provide strategic financial advice, commercial insights, and recommendations to support business growth. Analyse financial performance, profitability, pricing strategies, and capital allocation to identify opportunities for improvement. Develop financial models, business cases, and scenario analyses to support strategic initiatives, new products, and market expansion. Deliver consolidated financial reporting and actionable insights to support informed decision-making. Prepare financial presentations, management reports, and performance updates for senior leadership and executive committees. Play a key role in finance transformation initiatives, including automation, digital reporting, and improvements to financial processes. Support the financial integration of new products, technology enhancements, and business transformation programmes. Drive improvements in financial reporting capabilities through dashboards, advanced analytics, and digital solutions. Collaborate with teams to improve data accuracy, reporting efficiency, and financial visibility. Identify opportunities to streamline planning processes, strengthen financial controls, and enhance operational efficiency. Ensure financial activities comply with internal governance frameworks, IFRS, and applicable regulatory requirements. Work closely with internal teams to support effective financial management and governance. Provide financial oversight and commercial input into cross-functional projects and business initiatives. Support balance sheet optimisation, transfer pricing considerations, and financial risk management.