Strategic Finance Director Dry Bulk Shipping

A well-established dry bulk shipping company based in Dubai is seeking an experienced Finance Manager to lead its commercial finance function and support strategic growth initiatives.

This is a high-impact role reporting directly to the CEO, combining operational finance leadership with commercial strategy and profitability analysis.

The Role

The Finance Manager will be responsible for ensuring financial integrity, driving profitability insights, and partnering with senior stakeholders to support both short- and long-term business objectives.

You will oversee core financial operations while translating complex financial data into actionable commercial strategies.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Operations & Controls

• Oversee AP, AR, inventory, banking, and cash management
• Lead monthly finance close and ensure accurate, timely reporting
• Manage statutory audits, tax, and regulatory compliance
• Maintain robust reporting systems and internal controls
• Review accruals and resolve reconciling items

Commercial & Strategic Finance

• Deliver weekly/monthly financial performance reporting with clear commentary
• Conduct variance analysis vs. budget, forecast, and prior year
• Drive profitability reporting, benchmarking, and margin analysis
• Provide insight on cost drivers and commercial performance
• Support procurement strategies and hedging impact analysis
• Lead business planning, forecasting, and 5-year valuation processes
• Provide commercial recommendations to senior leadership

Stakeholder & Team Leadership

• Manage and develop a small finance team
• Partner closely with management and external stakeholders
• Contribute to overall commercial strategy and business growth plans

Candidate Profile

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field
• CA(SA), CIMA, ACCA or equivalent professional qualification preferred
• 8+ years experience in commercial finance within shipping
• Strong understanding of dry bulk operations and cost structures
• Proven experience in forecasting, budgeting, and profitability analysis
• Strong ERP systems knowledge and process optimization capability
• Analytical, commercially minded, and deadline-oriented

Why This Role

• Direct exposure to senior leadership
• Strategic commercial influence in a growing shipping business
• Opportunity to shape reporting, forecasting, and finance processes
• Dubai-based role in a dynamic maritime hub

If you have a strong commercial finance background in dry bulk shipping and are looking to step into a strategic leadership role, I would welcome a confidential discussion.

Message me directly or email to arrange a conversation if you have the core skills and have worked directly in the dry bulk shipping industry.