Finance Director
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Job Summary
International Community Schools (ICS)
International Community Schools (ICS) is a well-established and growing educational group in Abu Dhabi delivering high-quality British and American curricula across six school branches.
We are seeking a highly experienced commercially astute and strategically driven Director of Finance to lead the Groups financial operations strengthen financial governance and play a pivotal role in shaping its long-term financial strategy and sustainable growth.
This is a senior leadership position requiring a professional who can go beyond traditional financial management to provide strategic direction drive operational efficiency and support executive-level decision-making.
Strategic Financial Leadership
Develop and execute the Groups financial strategy in alignment with organizational goals and long-term growth objectives.
Serve as a strategic financial advisor to the CEO and senior leadership team.
Lead financial planning budgeting forecasting and financial performance management across all six branches.
Provide data-driven insights to support strategic investments business expansion and major financial decisions.
Group Financial Management & Governance
Oversee and consolidate financial operations reporting and controls across all ICS branches.
Ensure financial transparency accountability regulatory compliance and strong internal controls.
Manage cash flow working capital financial risks and capital expenditure.
Oversee annual audits statutory financial reporting and compliance with UAE financial and tax regulations.
Operational Excellence & Cost Optimization
Identify opportunities for cost optimization revenue enhancement and improved profitability without compromising educational quality.
Establish financial KPIs and performance benchmarks for individual schools and the Group.
Monitor student fee collections revenue forecasts operational expenditures and overall financial sustainability.
Strengthen financial processes ERP utilization automation and management reporting.
Leadership & Stakeholder Management
Lead mentor and develop finance and accounting teams across all branches.
Collaborate closely with school principals operations HR procurement and other departments.
Present financial performance strategic recommendations and risk assessments to executive management.
Drive a culture of financial discipline accountability and continuous improvement.
Bachelors degree in Finance Accounting Business Administration or a related discipline.
Professional certification such as CA ACCA CPA or CMA is strongly preferred. MBA in Finance is an advantage.
Minimum 1215 years of progressive financial management experience including substantial experience in a senior finance leadership role.
Prior experience in the UAE education sector preferably managing multiple schools or campuses is highly desirable.
Proven track record of strategic financial planning financial restructuring cost optimization and organizational growth.
Strong understanding of UAE taxation regulatory compliance financial reporting standards and corporate governance.
Demonstrated experience managing complex budgets multiple cost centers and consolidated financial reporting.
Strong ERP financial analytics and business intelligence capabilities.
We are looking for a strategic leader not simply a financial controller someone who demonstrates:
Strong business acumen and independent decision-making capabilities.
The ability to balance financial sustainability with educational excellence.
A proactive results-oriented approach to organizational challenges.
Exceptional leadership communication negotiation and stakeholder-management skills.
The confidence to challenge existing processes introduce improvements and drive meaningful organizational change.
This is an opportunity to join an established and growing school group influence executive decisions lead financial transformation across multiple campuses and make a lasting contribution to the future of education. Salary and benefits as per exposure and job title.
Required Skills:
Oversee and consolidate financial operations reporting and controls across all ICS branches. Ensure financial transparency accountability regulatory compliance and strong internal controls. Manage cash flow working capital financial risks and capital expenditure. Oversee annual audits statutory financial reporting and compliance with UAE financial and tax regulations.
Required Education:
Bachelors degree in Finance Accounting Business Administration or a related certification such as CA ACCA CPA or CMA is strongly preferred. MBA in Finance is an 1215 years of progressive financial management experience including substantial experience in a senior finance leadership experience in the UAE education sector preferably managing multiple schools or campuses is highly desirable.
