Finance Director - MENA

The CompanyOur client is a US-listed global manufacturing and engineering organisation with an established international footprint and operations across multiple markets. The business provides highly engineered products, solutions and services to customers across a range of industrial sectors and operates within a complex, multinational environment. As the organisation continues to develop its regional operations, it is looking to appoint an experienced Regional Finance Director based in Dubai to provide financial leadership across the region and act as a key partner to both regional management and the wider global finance organisation.The RoleReporting to the Regional CFO in Europe, the Regional Finance Director will take responsibility for financial leadership across the region, combining commercial finance, FP&A, manufacturing finance, financial control and governance.The role will partner closely with regional, commercial, operational and manufacturing leadership, providing insight and challenge around business performance, growth opportunities and strategic decision-making.Key responsibilities will include:Lead regional budgeting, forecasting and long-range planning, providing clear visibility of financial performance, risks and opportunities.Partner with senior commercial and operational leaders to drive revenue growth, margin improvement, profitability and cash generation.Provide detailed analysis of business performance, identifying the underlying commercial and operational drivers behind results.Lead financial oversight of the manufacturing environment, including standard costing, product costing, inventory, manufacturing variances, productivity and operational efficiency.Drive improvements in working capital, cash conversion and overall financial performance.Support strategic initiatives, capital expenditure, investment decisions and business cases through financial modelling and analysis.Maintain a strong financial control environment and ensure compliance with Group accounting policies and governance requirements.Ensure adherence to SOX requirements and internal control frameworks associated with operating within a US-listed organisation.Oversee regional financial reporting, balance sheet integrity, statutory requirements and internal and external audit processes.Lead and develop finance teams across the region, creating a commercially focused and high-performing finance function.Drive continuous improvement across finance processes, systems, reporting, automation and controls.Act as the key regional finance interface with the Regional CFO and wider Group finance organisation.The CandidateThe successful candidate will be an experienced senior finance leader with a strong track record within a multinational manufacturing, engineering or industrial environment.Ideally, they will bring:A recognised professional accounting qualification such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA or equivalent.Significant finance leadership experience within a regional or multi-country environment.Strong manufacturing and operational finance experience.Experience working within a US-listed business or US multinational environment.Strong knowledge of SOX, internal controls and corporate governance.Excellent FP&A, budgeting, forecasting and commercial finance capability.Strong understanding of manufacturing costing, inventory, margins, working capital and cash flow.Experience partnering with senior commercial, manufacturing and operational stakeholders.Proven experience leading and developing high-performing finance teams.The ability to operate effectively within a complex, matrixed international organisation.Strong communication and influencing skills, with the confidence to challenge senior stakeholders.Previous Middle East experience would be advantageous but is not essential.