Head of Operational Finance / Commercial Finance Lead

Position: Head of Operational Finance / Commercial Finance Lead

Location: Abu Dhabi, UAEEducational qualifications and Relevant experienceQualified CA, ACCA, CPA, CMA, or a Master’s degree in Finance 6 to 10 years of progressive financial experience. 15+ years ofprogressive finance leadership experience, Qualified Chartered Accountant (CA), ACCA or CPA from a recognizedprofessional institution — mandatory.  Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Economics, Business or arelated discipline — mandatory. MBA / Executive MBA from a top-tier, globally ranked business school(e.g.

IIM, ISB, INSEAD, LBS, Wharton or equivalent) strongly preferred.  CFA or additional qualifications in Corporate Finance, Strategy orInvestment Banking are advantageous. Institutional pedigree must bematched by substantial, demonstrable executive experience —credentials alone will not be sufficient. A minimum of 3–5 years in a multi-unit consumer business (e.g., retail,family entertainment centers, leisure, hospitality, cinema, or F&Bchains), specifically within the UAE or GCC region Advanced operational financial modeling and multi-unit store P&Lownership Deep understanding of IFRS 16 lease accounting Proficiency in POS and ERP systems, specifically Odoo or NetSuite Hands-on operational leadership with high commercial curiosity andstrong communication skills to liaise effectively with store managers andmall developersCore Responsibilities & Operational MandatesFour-Wall Store Economics & Margin Optimization Analyze and optimize revenue per sq ft and spend per visitor across all locations Oversee party and event revenue mix to maximize utilization Monitor labor cost scheduling efficiency Manage café and F&B margins to ensure operational targets are metReal Estate Feasibility & Fit-Out Capex Governance Conduct financial modeling for new mall and community centre locations, including IRR, NPV and payback period analysis Analyze complex lease terms, including turnover rent vs. minimum base rent, rent-free fit-out periodsand landlord capex contributions Manage IFRS 16 lease liability tracking Oversee fit-out contractor budgets and cost controlsCash Management, POS Reconciliations & Treasury Operations Execute daily cash register sweeping and ticketing system reconciliations Track bank settlements and implement fraud prevention measures Maintain oversight of petty cash governance across all locationsWorking Capital & Procurement Management Manage vendor payment schedules and credit term negotiations Implement inventory controls for edutainment materials and F&B suppliesFinancial Reporting, Odoo ERP & Audit Support Manage monthly store-level P&L closures and budget vs. actual variance reporting Support the Group CFO with Big 4 audit documentation Maintain data room metrics for Series A readiness