Job Description – Group Finance Manager –Aviation &/OR Trading &/Aerospace (FP&A, Treasury & Compliance)
Designation: Group Finance Manager
Experience: 8–10 years, including minimum 3 years of managerial experience and 4 years of UAE experience
Employment: Full-time, Permanent
Location: JAFZA, Dubai, UAE
Reports to: Head of Finance
Role Overview
We are looking for an experienced Group Finance Manager to manage and strengthen the Group’s finance function across financial management, FP&A, treasury, statutory compliance, taxation, audit and commercial finance.
The role is not limited to accounting and taxation. The individual will be expected to act as a key finance business partner to senior management, provide financial insights for decision-making, manage the Group’s treasury and working capital, lead budgeting and forecasting, and ensure robust financial and statutory controls across the Group.
The ideal candidate should have strong experience in a trading, manufacturing, FMCG or similar commercial environment, with exposure to supply chain, international trade and trade finance. Aviation industry experience would be highly preferable.
Key Responsibilities
- Group Finance Management
- Manage day-to-day finance activities across Group companies and ensure timely and accurate financial reporting.
- Maintain strong financial controls, accounting processes and reporting disciplines.
- Review monthly management accounts, financial statements, balance sheet positions and key financial metrics.
- Provide financial analysis and recommendations to management on key business decisions.
- FP&A, Budgeting & Business Performance
- Lead the development of the annual budget, financial plans and forecasts.
- Develop financial models, scenario analysis and business forecasts.
- Prepare monthly budget-vs-actual analysis and provide meaningful variance commentary.
- Develop and monitor KPIs covering revenue, margins, working capital, costs, cash flow and business performance.
- Support management with financial analysis for new projects, investments, expansion plans and other strategic initiatives.
- Develop management dashboards and data-driven reporting for senior management.
- Treasury & Working Capital Management
- Manage Group treasury operations, cash flow planning and liquidity.
- Prepare and monitor short-term and long-term cash flow forecasts.
- Manage banking relationships and coordinate with banks on facilities and day-to-day banking requirements.
- Monitor working capital, including receivables, payables and inventory.
- Monitor trade finance facilities, LCs, guarantees, import/export financing and related banking instruments.
- Optimize utilization of banking facilities and financing costs.
- Support negotiations with banks on facilities, pricing and other banking arrangements.
- Ensure effective cash management across Group entities.
- Statutory Compliance & Taxation – UAE
- Ensure timely and accurate UAE Corporate Tax compliance, including tax computations, returns, payments, documentation and coordination with external tax advisors where required.
- Manage UAE VAT compliance, including VAT return preparation/review, reconciliations, payments, documentation and compliance with applicable UAE VAT regulations.
- Ensure proper maintenance of tax records and supporting documentation for audit and tax purposes.
- Monitor changes in UAE tax legislation and assess their impact on the Group.
- Ensure compliance with applicable UAE invoicing requirements, including proper tax invoices, credit notes, debit notes and supporting documentation.
- Ensure finance processes are aligned with UAE regulatory and statutory requirements.
- Coordinate with internal and external advisors on tax matters, assessments and regulatory requirements.
- UAE Invoicing, Customs & Trade Compliance
- Ensure proper invoicing processes for local and international transactions in accordance with UAE requirements.
- Review and monitor commercial invoices, credit notes, debit notes and related documentation.
- Review and analyze UAE customs documentation, import/export transactions and customs-related financial matters.
- Ensure appropriate accounting and documentation of customs duties, freight, landed costs and other import/export costs.
- Identify and resolve discrepancies between commercial, customs, logistics and accounting documentation.
- Ensure proper financial controls over international trading transactions.
- Audit & Financial Governance
- Lead and coordinate annual external audits across Group companies.
- Review audit schedules, supporting documentation and financial information required by auditors.
- Coordinate with auditors and management to ensure timely completion of audits.
- Follow up on audit observations and ensure implementation of agreed corrective actions.
- Strengthen internal financial controls, processes and governance across the Group.
- Ensure timely preparation and filing of statutory financial statements and other applicable regulatory requirements.
- Systems, Automation & Reporting
- Improve finance processes through automation, standardization and effective use of ERP systems.
- Develop and maintain advanced Excel-based financial models and reporting tools.
- Develop Power BI dashboards for management reporting and financial analysis.
- Identify opportunities to improve data quality, reporting efficiency and finance controls.
- Participate in ERP/system enhancement and implementation projects where required.
Mandatory Requirements
- 8–10 years of relevant finance experience, including at least 3 years of managerial experience.
- Minimum 4 years of UAE experience.
- CA / ACCA / CPA or equivalent professional qualification preferred.
- Strong experience in Trading, Manufacturing, FMCG or a similar commercial business environment.
- Aviation industry experience is highly preferable.
- Minimum 2–3 years of SCM / international trade / trade finance exposure.
- Strong hands-on experience in FP&A, budgeting, forecasting and financial modelling.
- Strong understanding of UAE Corporate Tax and VAT compliance.
- Practical experience with UAE invoicing, customs and import/export transactions.
- Experience managing external audits and statutory compliance.
- Strong treasury, cash-flow and working-capital management experience.
- Advanced Excel and financial modelling – mandatory.
- Power BI and dashboard development – mandatory.
- Strong ERP experience; ERP implementation/enhancement experience is preferable.
- Strong communication, analytical and stakeholder-management skills.
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple Group entities and priorities.
Preferred Candidate Profile
The preferred candidate should be a commercially oriented finance professional, rather than a purely accounting-focused candidate.
Candidates with experience in a trading/distribution environment involving international transactions, inventory, supply chain, working capital, trade finance and multiple legal entities will be strongly preferred.
The individual should be capable of moving between FP&A, treasury, statutory compliance, taxation, audit and day-to-day financial management, while providing clear and commercially relevant insights to senior management.
Other Requirements
- Valid UAE driving licence – mandatory.
- Strong proficiency in English.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, commercially driven Group environment.
