About this Role
Finance Director – Retail (CFO Pathway)
Location: Dubai
Industry: Retail
The Opportunity
A leading regional retail and distribution group is seeking a Finance Director to play a key role in driving financial performance, strengthening operational discipline, and supporting continued expansion across multiple markets.
This is a high-impact leadership role within a complex, multi-entity environment, offering broad exposure across retail and distribution operations, and a clear pathway toward a full Chief Financial Officer mandate.
The position will suit a commercially minded finance leader looking to step into a role with greater ownership, influence, and regional scope.
Role Purpose
The Finance Director will be responsible for leading financial performance, enhancing cash flow discipline, and supporting the ongoing development of a scalable and robust finance function.
Working closely with the senior leadership team, the role combines strategic input with hands-on execution, with a strong emphasis on driving measurable improvements across the business.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Performance & Control
- Drive overall financial performance, focusing on profitability, cost optimization, and margin improvement
- Strengthen working capital management, including inventory, payables, and cash flow discipline
- Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and performance tracking across multiple business units
Commercial Finance & Business Partnering
- Partner closely with commercial and operational teams to support data-driven decision-making
- Provide insight into store performance, category profitability, and trading dynamics
- Support pricing, promotions, and supplier negotiations with strong financial analysis
Transformation & Process Improvement
- Lead initiatives to improve financial reporting, planning processes, and operational visibility
- Support the continued evolution of the finance function in line with business growth
- Drive improvements in systems, controls, and overall finance infrastructure (ERP exposure preferred)
Strategic Support
- Work directly with the leadership team on business planning, investment decisions, and expansion strategy
- Contribute to transformation initiatives and performance improvement programs
- Support key strategic projects, including restructuring and operational optimization
Leadership & Team Development
- Lead and develop a high-performing finance team across multiple markets
- Build capability within the function to support increasing business complexity
- Foster a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement
Regional Scope & Travel
This is a regional role supporting operations across multiple markets.
The position requires regular international travel to engage with business units, support performance reviews, and drive alignment across the organization.
Candidate Profile
Experience
- Proven experience as a Finance Director or Head of Finance within retail, grocery, or FMCG environments
- Strong exposure to multi-site or multi-entity operations
- Experience in high-volume, commercially driven retail environments is essential
- Background in structured European (preferably UK) retail organizations is highly desirable
- Demonstrated success in improving financial performance and driving operational efficiency
Capabilities
- Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to link finance to operational performance
- Hands-on approach with the ability to operate both strategically and operationally
- Experience in financial planning, working capital management, and performance analysis
- Exposure to ERP systems and finance transformation initiatives
Personal Attributes
- Ambitious and motivated to step into a broader leadership role
- Confident in engaging with senior stakeholders and influencing decision-making
- Resilient and adaptable within fast-paced and evolving environments
- Strong sense of ownership and accountability
Why This Role
- Opportunity to step into a broader, high-impact leadership role
- Exposure to both retail and distribution business models
- Direct engagement with senior leadership and strategic decision-making
- Platform for progression toward a Chief Financial Officer position
- Experience operating across a multi-country regional footprint
Process
This is a confidential search.
Further details will be shared with shortlisted candidates.
