Manager – Group Finance – Aldar Education

Aldar Education is currently seeking a Manager – Group Finance to support our growing family of owned, operated and managed schools in the UAE. This is an exciting opportunity to join the highly successful Aldar family of schools and to help shape the future of Abu Dhabi’s leading school group..

As the leading education group in Abu Dhabi, we provide inclusive and innovative learning that inspires and empowers communities. We offer a range of brands for all learners in our community, from nursery through to adult education.  We offer the broadest choice of curricula. In the largest number of locations in Abu Dhabi.

Starting with one school and 250 students in 2007, Aldar Education has grown into a highly sought after education provider, now supporting over 38,000 students in 31 schools and a growing network of almost 5,000 educators, with over 100 nationalities, offering a wide range of curricula and ancillary services such as a Teacher Training Academy.

Working collaboratively, our education network’s purpose is to empower the next generation to shape our future, directly supporting the educational goals of Abu Dhabi’s government. Today, Aldar Education’s efforts are guided by the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 plan, which aims to build a sustainable knowledge-based economy through premium education.

The incumbent will continuously strive to exceed internal & external customer expectations while embracing the Aldar Education Core Values.

To manage the statutory, regulatory and compliance reporting activities at Aldar Education group level. Manage finance projects such as Internal Control over Financial Reporting (ICFR), system integration, migration & enhancements, implementation of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and group projects (if any).

Main Duties:

• Drive statutory and compliance reporting, integration and lead key finance projects.

Strategic Responsibilities:

• Manage Group Statutory Financial Statement Reporting.
• Manage internal audit activities for finance functions.
• Manage ICFR exercises.
• Manage VAT, Corporate Tax & ESR reporting.
• Manage treasury activities.
• Provide finance management support to projects and key initiatives across all AE Business.
• Lead closing and reporting processes across all AE business in line with group timeline.
• Implementation of new IFRS standards, delegation of authority, policies, and procedures.

Functional Responsibilities:

• Partner with Group Financial Controller and finance management team to drive group financial reporting at AE level.
• Work closely with Group Financial Controller to successfully implement key projects and initiatives to achieve finance Centre of Excellence.
• Implement group level external audit plans to improve timeline for releasing financial statements.
• Point of contact for Internal Audit requirements, co-ordinate with finance management team to close audit points on timely manner. Focus to reduce high risk audit observation by implementing strong internal controls as per approved DOA and policies across AE businesses.
• Periodical review of finance policies, SOPs, DOA & bank mandate and propose changes to improve operational efficiency due to dynamics and growth of the business.
• Implementation of new IFRS standards applicable to businesses.
• Manage VAT management and reporting.
• Manage Corporate tax accounting and reporting automation in co-ordination with Aldar Group.
• Manage ESR notification and reporting within timeline issued by regulator.
• Periodic review of bank signatories and their limit and implement enhanced bank mandate to support business (where possible).
• Manage treasury activities which include but not limited to review of cash pooling arrangements, review of cash position, bank reconciliation statement, etc.
• Support FP&A team for budgeting, forecasting and strategic plan with the actual and key assumptions (wherever applicable).
• Lead HQ finance team and manage closing activities for HQ entities.
• Manage completion accounts and PPA for newly acquired schools.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance
• Qualified accountant (CA/CPA/CMA) preferred

Minimum Experience:

• Minimum 10 years in finance, 4 years+ in managerial positions
• Education industry experience preferred/desirable

Job Specific Knowledge & Skills:

• Well versed with IFRS standards
• Process oriented and ability to execute finance projects
• Fluent English communication skills, written and oral.
• Attention to detail with diligent follow up, and able to execute in a timely manner.
• Skilled in multi-tasking and handling pressure
• Ability to liaise effectively with business functions
• Ability to manage a team
• Deadline oriented and take ownership of work
• Organizational ability, of self and others.
• Capable of influencing people and talented in networking with cultural sensitivity.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.

What We Offer:

Aldar Education is a family of world-class, child-centered, and innovative schools based in the UAE. We educate students across our group of owned and managed schools and as we grow, so does our need for highly skilled, inspirational, and dedicated school and educational leaders. We offer an attractive remuneration package including a range of benefits. Our future-focused learning model includes both students and staff, so we place a special emphasis on professional development, coaching, and training.

Successful candidates will have access to a wide network of professionals and opportunities to both lead and contribute to training others as well as developing themselves.

This job description is not all-inclusive. Aldar Education reserves the right to amend this job description at any time.  We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. We are dedicated to our national development strategy and encourage UAE Nationals in their application to our company.

Aldar Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Offers of appointment are subject to satisfactory references and police clearance.