Head of Finance

Construction careers don't get better than this exciting opportunity for new business developers!

Our client, an employee centric boutique multi award winning progressive architectural practice is looking to appoint an energetic and forward thinking Head of Finance to join their team in Dubai and take on a leadership role to help grow the business across the region.   

Project Details

The Head of Finance is responsible for building financial strategies and reports to help the company improve their financial health and meet their long-term goals.

The main duties include preparing activity reports, creating financial forecasts and brainstorming ways to maintain or reduce company costs. Head of Finance can lead financial strategies, drive operational performance, and support sustainable growth.               

• Develop and implement financial strategy aligned with the company’s long-term goals
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, and financial planning processes
• Manage financial reporting, compliance, and risk management
• Oversee project accounting, cost control, and financial performance tracking
• Collaborate with project directors to optimize profitability and resource allocation
• Liaise with external stakeholders, including banks, auditors, and legal advisors
• Identify process improvements and implement financial systems or tools as needed
• Provide clear financial insight to support strategic decision-making

Responsibilities and Duties

GENERAL ACCOUNTING

• Perform financial management duties including generating financial data, compiling and submitting reports, analyzing industry trends and assessing the financial health of the company.
• Oversee operations of the finance department, set goals and objectives, and design a framework for these to be met.
• Supervise the preparation of quarterly and annual account reconciliations, monitor, and enforce compliance with tax and financial reporting standards and assist with cash flow forecasting.
• Supervise the documentation of the company’s financial status and forecasts.
• Mediate between the company, employees, stakeholders, and investors on financial issues for amicable resolution of differences.
• Analyze costs, pricing, variable contributions, sales results and the company’s actual performance compared to the business plans.
• Conduct reviews and evaluations for cost-reduction opportunities.
• Manage the preparation of the company’s budget.
• Monitor customer accounts for details of non-payment, delayed payment, and other irregularities.
• Establish a schedule of deadlines for general accounting function, payroll, release of supplier payment as well as generating customer invoices at the end of the month on time to financial reporting date to the management.
• Verify disbursements before the final approval Senior Management.
• Issue invoices according to schedule, they are dispatched to the clients by driver to collect receipt acknowledgement signature from the client.
• Review agreements, contracts, guarantees and insurances.
• Prepare monthly Bank Reconciliation Report. Making it sure that there are no outstanding matters left unreconciled for a period longer than one month.
• Maintain and update the list of the company assets for depreciation, disposal, and other recording purposes, conducting physical inventory at the end of each calendar year.
• Work closely with HR Department for personnel issues such as end of service benefit calculations, interpretation and implementation of labor law and employment contract matters and authorized signatory for general employment certification.
• Pay sundry expenses from petty cash fund and replenish the same after approval by the Managing Director.
• Keep bank issued cheques in custody for safekeeping in the company’s safe.
• As trustee – solely make, authorize, and release online/telephonic banking transactions such as but not limited to supplier’s payment/WPS salaries as per Founder’s approval.
• Monitor daily movement of the bank account through online/telephonic banking.
• Act as a direct contact person on behalf of the company with regards to general corporate and employees’ personal banking matters.
• Prepare an audit schedule ahead of time to make sure that all transactions are properly accounted for.
• Closely interact with the Auditors on the process of and upon finalization of the audit.
• Separate the financial statements to be marked and identified as audited by the auditors.

FINANCIAL REPORTING & BUDGETING

•  Prepare, analyze, and finalize weekly, monthly, and quarterly financial statements such as income statements and balance sheet with corresponding analyses of actual against budgeted amount.
• Highlight material variances and explain in related schedules for justification for discussion with the management, accordingly budget may be adjusted, or suggested actions may be implemented to avoid further discrepancies or losses or increase profitability.
• Implement time sheet financial analysis and reporting system in company in coordination with time sheet software application. Provide monthly report of financial health of individual projects.
• Initiate budget for the year to be finalized with the management, accordingly, financial reports are compared against cost efficiency and profitability.
• Develop and implement the financial accounting policies, procedures, and system/software (ERP); continuously improving the control while complementing the general office policies and procedures and keeping updated on the accounting system software according to the company’s requirements.

 INSURANCE POLICIES CONDITIONS & RENEWALS

•  Liaise to insurance brokers for the company’s insurance requirements such as professional indemnity insurance, third party liability insurance, workmen’s compensation and office multi-cover risk insurance.
• Monitor the renewal date of each insurance policy, coordinate with the broke for at least three quotes from different insurers keeping the continuity and the wording of the cover and recommend to the management ideal insurer with the better quote before engaging one of them.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Minimum 15 years of experience in finance, with at least 5 in a senior leadership role
• Strong understanding of project-based financial models in Architecture & Engineering or construction sectors)
• Proficient in ERP systems and financial software (e.g., Deltek, Oracle, Sage, etc.)
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Proven track record of driving financial performance and organizational efficiency               
• Demonstrate strategic planning experience at a management level.Experience in managing budgets and forecasting.
• Experience in providing data analysis and producing reports.
• High-level experience with financial and/or accounting software.
• Outstanding knowledge of accounting principles and procedures
• Experience with creating financial statements and general ledgers.
• A team player
• An ambitious personality, capable of achieving.
• Hands on and proactive.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Able to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Able to receive and progress with constructive criticism.
• Willing to learn and grow, happy to undertake a variety of tasks as required.
• Respect office Timings.

Qualifications/Educational Requirements

• CPA, ACCA, CFA, or equivalent professional qualification

Employing Company Overview and Profile

Our client is at the forefront of innovative design and architecture, committed to delivering exceptional projects that blend functionality with aesthetics.

Our team thrives on collaboration and creativity, pushing boundaries to transform concepts into remarkable built environments.

Our client is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Additional Benefits Package and Incentives

Our client seeks value innovation, collaboration, and the pursuit of excellence. As a Head of Interior Design, you will have the opportunity to shape transformative projects, work with a talented team, and make a lasting impact in the architecture sector.

We offer a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits package, and a supportive work environment that fosters professional growth and development. Only high achievers need apply!