Head of Operational Finance / Commercial Finance Lead

Position: Head of Operational Finance / Commercial Finance Lead

Location : Abu Dhabi, UAE

Educational qualifications and Relevant experience

Qualified CA, ACCA, CPA, CMA, or a Master’s degree in Finance

 6 to 10 years of progressive financial experience. 15+ years of

progressive finance leadership experience,

 Qualified Chartered Accountant (CA), ACCA or CPA from a recognized

professional institution — mandatory.

 Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Economics, Business or a

related 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 or

Investment Banking are advantageous. Institutional pedigree must be

matched 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&B

chains), specifically within the UAE or GCC region

 Advanced operational financial modeling and multi-unit store P&L

ownership

 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 and

strong communication skills to liaise effectively with store managers and

mall developers

Core Responsibilities & Operational Mandates

Four-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 met

Real 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 controls

Cash 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 locations

Working Capital & Procurement Management

 Manage vendor payment schedules and credit term negotiations

 Implement inventory controls for edutainment materials and F&B supplies

Financial 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