Senior Financial Planning & Analysis Manager

About the Role

The Senior Financial Planning & Analysis Manager is a pivotal role within the Group Finance Division, based in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Reporting directly to the Senior Group Finance Director, this position oversees financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and performance management across the Group's construction, real estate development, and architecture & design segments. The role serves as the key business partner to senior leadership, translating financial information into strategic insights to support decision-making, capital allocation, and growth objectives throughout the UAE and GCC regions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the annual group-wide budgeting process, ensuring budgets align with strategic objectives across construction, development, and design units.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive integrated financial plans encompassing profit and loss, balance sheet, and cash flow projections.
• Coordinate with various stakeholders like business heads, project managers, and cost controllers to consolidate detailed bottom-up budgets.
• Steer medium-term financial planning (3 to 5 years), including scenario and sensitivity analyses.
• Manage the rolling forecast process, updating it regularly to reflect changing business and market dynamics.
• Prepare monthly management reporting packages with variance analysis, KPIs, and executive commentary for senior leadership and board review.
• Track project financials, monitor revenue recognition, cost-to-complete, and margin trends, identifying performance gaps early.
• Act as the primary financial partner to divisional and project teams, providing analysis and commercial advice on investment and cost management decisions.
• Transform complex financial data into understandable narratives for audiences without a finance background.
• Drive a performance culture by ensuring business units comprehend their financial goals and responsibilities.
• Create and maintain detailed financial models for major projects, including feasibility, IRR, NPV, and return on capital assessments.
• Support investment committee activities through rigorous financial evaluations for acquisitions, partnerships, and launches.
• Monitor project profitability versus initial assumptions, escalating issues and suggesting corrective actions as necessary.
• Collaborate with Treasury on cash flow planning and funding schedules for projects.
• Deliver ad hoc financial and strategic analysis for the Senior Group FD and Executive Committee, including M&A and market entry assessments.
• Contribute to capital allocation frameworks to optimize investment priorities and returns.
• Prepare high-level financial presentations for boards, investors, and lenders.
• Lead cost review initiatives to enhance margins and reduce overhead expenses.
• Benchmark financial performance against industry peers and regional competitors.
• Promote working capital improvements jointly with Treasury, Procurement, and Operations.
• Manage and enhance financial planning systems, including the implementation and upgrade of EPM/CPM platforms.
• Standardize reporting formats and financial models to ensure consistency across units.
• Champion data integrity within finance systems through close collaboration with IT and ERP teams.
• Identify opportunities to automate FP&A processes and improve efficiencies.
• Lead and develop a high-performing FP&A team, fostering continuous growth and cross-functional relationships.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related discipline.
• Master’s degree (MBA/MSc Finance) or professional certifications such as CFA, CPA, ACCA, or CIMA are strongly preferred.

Required Experience and Skills

• At least 8 years of progressive finance experience, including 5 to 7 years leading FP&A functions at group or divisional levels.
• Experience in construction, real estate development, infrastructure, or project-focused industries is advantageous.
• Proven expertise managing budgeting and forecasting across multiple business units and currencies.
• Demonstrated ability delivering insightful financial analysis to senior executives and board members.
• Familiarity with GCC markets and the UAE business environment is highly valued.

Preferred Skills

• Advanced financial modeling proficiency using Excel, including 3-statement models, discounted cash flows, IRR/NPV calculations, and scenario analysis.
• Hands-on experience with enterprise performance management/planning tools like Anaplan, Hyperion, SAP BPC, or Adaptive Insights.
• Capability in data visualization platforms such as Power BI or Tableau.
• Detailed knowledge of IFRS standards especially IFRS 15, IFRS 16, and IAS 36, as well as management accounting concepts.
• Working understanding of ERP systems including SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft Dynamics and their integration with finance reporting.

Competencies and Personal Attributes

• Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills.
• Ability to influence executives and navigate complex stakeholder environments.
• Commercial awareness and ability to communicate financial insights compellingly.
• Proactive, results oriented with high integrity and professionalism.
• Collaborative leadership style promoting continuous improvement and attention to detail.