Chief Financial Officer

Position: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)Location: Abu Dhabi, UAEIndustry: Construction / ContractingReporting To: CEO / Managing DirectorJob PurposeWe are seeking an experienced and commercially astute Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to lead the financial strategy, governance, and overall financial management of a well-established contracting company in Abu Dhabi.The ideal candidate must have strong CFO/Finance Director-level experience within a contracting, construction, engineering, or infrastructure company, with a proven track record in project finance, cash-flow management, cost control, financial planning, and commercial decision-making.Key ResponsibilitiesDevelop and execute the company's overall financial strategy in alignment with business objectives.Lead and oversee all finance, accounting, treasury, taxation, budgeting, and financial reporting functions.Provide strategic financial advice to the CEO, Board, and senior management.Prepare and monitor annual budgets, forecasts, financial plans, and cash-flow projections.Manage working capital, liquidity, cash flow, banking relationships, and financing requirements.Oversee project-level financial performance, including project costing, profitability, WIP, revenue recognition, variations, claims, retention, and receivables.Establish effective financial controls to monitor project costs and prevent cost overruns.Review and assess the financial viability and risks of new projects, tenders, contracts, and major investments.Work closely with the commercial and contracts teams on contractual claims, variations, payment certificates, retention, bonds, guarantees, and collections.Monitor project margins and provide timely analysis of financial performance against budgets.Ensure accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting.Oversee statutory audits, internal controls, tax compliance, VAT, and other regulatory requirements applicable in the UAE.Maintain strong relationships with banks, auditors, financial institutions, investors, and key stakeholders.Develop and strengthen financial policies, procedures, controls, and governance frameworks.Identify financial and operational risks and implement appropriate mitigation strategies.Lead, mentor, and develop the finance and accounting team.Provide management with meaningful financial analysis and recommendations to support business decisions.Ensure compliance with UAE laws, accounting standards, company policies, and contractual obligations.Required Experience & QualificationsBachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related discipline.Professional qualification such as CA, ACCA, CPA, CMA, or equivalent is highly preferred.15+ years of progressive finance experience, with significant experience at CFO, Finance Director, or equivalent senior leadership level.Mandatory experience within a contracting/construction company, preferably in the UAE or GCC.Strong understanding of construction/project accounting and contracting finance.Proven experience managing the financial operations of a project-based contracting business.Strong knowledge of cash-flow management, project costing, WIP, working capital, budgeting, forecasting, and profitability analysis.Experience with banking facilities, performance bonds, advance payment guarantees, letters of credit, and project financing.Strong understanding of commercial and contractual aspects of construction projects.Experience working closely with QS, Commercial, Contracts, Procurement, Projects, and Operations teams.Excellent knowledge of UAE VAT, corporate tax, and applicable financial regulations.Strong leadership, negotiation, analytical, and strategic decision-making skills.Preferred Candidate ProfileCandidates currently based in Abu Dhabi or the UAE will be preferred.Experience with large-scale contracting, civil construction, MEP, infrastructure, or engineering projects is advantageous.Experience managing finance for multiple concurrent projects and large project values.Strong commercial acumen with the ability to balance financial governance with business growth.High level of integrity, confidentiality, and professionalism.Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills.Key CompetenciesStrategic Financial LeadershipConstruction & Project FinanceCash Flow & Working Capital ManagementBudgeting & ForecastingCost Control & Profitability ManagementCommercial & Contract ManagementRisk ManagementFinancial Governance & Internal ControlsBanking & Treasury ManagementLeadership & Team ManagementBusiness Acumen & Decision MakingKey requirement: Candidates without relevant contracting/construction company experience should not be considered.