Head of Financial Planning & Reporting (FP&R) Full Time NEW

Location: Dubai, UAE, on-site

About the client

We are sourcing on behalf of a prominent financial institution in Dubai, UAE operating across a broad and varied investment portfolio, with exposure to multiple sectors.

About the role

Reporting directly to the CFO, this is a senior leadership appointment responsible for building and running a centralised FP&A and reporting capability across the organisation. The role sits at the intersection of finance, strategy, and operations, and will be instrumental in shaping how the organisation measures, plans, and communicates financial performance:

• Create a unified, scalable approach to financial reporting across all entities in the organisation.
• Raise the standard of forecasting, planning, and financial visibility at the organisational level.
• Give executive and board leadership the clarity they need to make well-informed decisions.
• Bring consistency to reporting processes that currently vary across legacy businesses.

Scope of the role

Building and leading the function:

• Define the structure, operating model, and talent roadmap for the FP&A and reporting team.
• Coach and develop team members while maintaining high standards of output and delivery.
• Act as a senior finance voice within the leadership team, advising the CFO, CEO, and broader executive committee on performance trends, risks, and emerging opportunities.
• Work in close partnership with investment, strategy, risk, and portfolio functions to keep financial planning connected to commercial priorities.

Reporting and performance oversight:

• Design and roll out a consistent reporting framework that works across all entities within the organisation.
• Own the production of executive and board reporting packs, including KPI dashboards and performance narratives.
• Make financial information more accessible and actionable for non-finance decision-makers across the business.

Planning, budgeting, and forecasting:

• Take ownership of the annual budget cycle, multi-year planning process, and ongoing rolling forecasts.
• Build out a structured approach to scenario modelling and sensitivity analysis to support major strategic decisions.
• Ensure financial plans reflect asset-level performance data and capital allocation commitments from the investment and portfolio teams.

Strategic finance partnership:

• Provide analysis and financial perspective to support capital allocation decisions, portfolio reviews, and new strategic initiatives.
• Evaluate investment proposals and business cases, offering a grounded financial point of view.
• Act as the primary bridge between central finance and individual business units, aligning both sides on targets and outcomes.

Systems, transformation, and governance:

• Lead the integration of financial planning and reporting processes as legacy entities are brought into the wider organisational structure.
• Oversee the selection, implementation, and continuous improvement of FP&A technology and data platforms.
• Maintain rigorous standards around data quality, reporting consistency, and financial governance across the organisation.

Requirements

Background and experience:

• At least 15 years working in FP&A, strategic finance, or reporting roles within large, complex organisations.
• Exposure to private equity, investment funds, or diversified businesses is a strong advantage.
• Candidates with a Big 4 or top-tier management consulting background will be at an advantage.
• A clear track record of leading finance transformation programmes, covering both systems and process change.

Education:

• Degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or equivalent.
• Postgraduate qualification (MBA or similar) is preferred.
• CPA, ACCA, or CFA designation is a plus.

Leadership qualities:

• Skilled at building influence with senior stakeholders, including board-level audiences.
• Experienced in growing and developing finance teams from the ground up.
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity and organisational complexity.
• Brings commercial sharpness, intellectual rigour, and a long-term strategic perspective.

Technical skills:

• Advanced capability in financial modelling, multi-year planning, and performance reporting.
• Practical experience deploying FP&A platforms, data infrastructure, and automated reporting tools.
• Solid grasp of portfolio-based and investment-driven business models.
• Able to synthesise complex, high-volume financial data into concise outputs for senior audiences.

By applying to this position, you are granting us permission to process your CV and keep your profile on file for consideration for this and future opportunities.