Head of Finance - BP&A

Job description / Role

Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim Group today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United A"rab Emirates. Structured into five operating divisions; automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and healthcare; employing more than 35,000 employees across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, Al-Futtaim Group partners with over 200 of the world's most admired and innovative brands. Al-Futtaim Group's entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enables the organization to continue to grow and expand; responding to the changing needs of our customers within the societies in which we operate.

By upholding our values of respect, excellence, collaboration and integrity; Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers each and every day.

Overview of the Role:

The Head of Finance BP&A will provide strong leadership and strategic vision in managing business planning, budgeting processes, and analysis for the Retail Division across multiple countries. Reporting directly to the Retail CFO and Retail President, this role involves critically evaluating business projections and advising on underlying business trends. The incumbent will play a key role in setting business objectives and ensuring their achievement within the Retail Division.

What you will do:

Business Planning, Expansion, and Long-Term Planning:
- Lead the preparation and submission of the Annual Business Plan for the Retail Division, adhering to group guidelines and business objectives.
- Assess the feasibility of new store openings, country expansions, relocations, and modernization plans based on financial metrics like RPF, IRR, and Payback to ensure alignment with AF Group and Principals.
- Collaborate with function heads to develop the Retail Division's long-term business plan (3 to 5 years) and support the preparation of new country plans.

Commercial Management:
- Analyze variances against budget and business objectives, providing commercial insights and recommending corrective actions as needed.
- Contribute to enhancing profit growth through strategic initiatives such as sales optimization, margin improvement, and cost reduction.
- Evaluate the financial implications of new business proposals and operational changes, such as new channels or business models.

Corporate and Brand Engagement:
- Champion corporate values within the Finance Team and foster strong relationships with Retail stakeholders through proactive communication and collaboration.
- Work closely with Retail teams to resolve issues and identify opportunities to meet current and future commercial targets.

Business Growth and New Markets:
- Manage acquisitions, post-acquisition integrations, and new market entries, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements before launching operations in new stores and countries.

Required Skills and Qualifications:
- Deep understanding of the commercial and operational aspects of the Retail Business.
- Proficiency in ERP systems like SAP and BPC, and familiarity with Anaplan for financial planning and forecasting.
- Advanced skills in financial modeling, valuation techniques, and data analysis tools such as Excel, PowerPoint, Power BI, and Tableau.
- This role requires a strategic thinker with strong leadership capabilities and a proactive approach to financial management and business planning within the Retail Division.

Qualifications:
- Professional degree in Finance, Chartered Accountancy, ACCA, ACMA, or MBA in Finance preferred.
- Minimum of 10 years' experience in a similar senior finance role.
- Familiarity with MENA and SEA markets, including regulatory environments and cultural nuances, is advantageous.

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Before you click "apply": Please read the job description carefully to ensure you can confidently demonstrate why this opportunity is right for you and take the time to put together a well-crafted and personalised CV to further boost your visibility. Our global Talent Acquisition team members are all assigned to specific businesses to ensure that we make the best matches between talent and opportunities. We not only consider the requisite compatibility of skills and behaviours, but also how candidates align with our Values of Respect, Integrity, Collaboration, and Excellence.

About the Company

Established in the 1930's, the Al-Futtaim Group initially operated as a trading enterprise. Rapid development throughout the 1940's and 50's saw it establish itself regionally as an integrated commercial, industrial and services organisation, positioning itself one of the leading business houses in the lower Gulf region. Today, it operates collectively over 40 companies bearing the Al-Futtaim name, dominates many market segments in the UAE, and has expanded its sphere of operation to include Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Egypt.

The Group comprises a diverse range of strategically positioned operating subsidiaries and associate companies, structured to give the Al-Futtaim Group the flexibility and versatility to keep ahead of local competition while keeping pace with the ever-evolving global business scenario. The Groups continued investment in world-class systems technology is clear evidence of its commitment to maintain leading edge performance and service delivery.

The success of the Al-Futtaim Group can be attributed to a business approach that combines the ability to change with the traditional values of integrity, service and social responsibility that define its core business philosophy. This, linked with the Groups belief in decentralisation, gives the heads of the operating companies a high degree of functional autonomy and authority, providing the Group with essential flexibility, and individual employees a clearly defined work culture and sense of responsibility.