Finance Director Middle East

As the Finance Director, you will act as a key partner to the Managing Director and regional leadership, driving investment decisions across artists, catalog, partnerships, and acquisitions, while ensuring best-in-class financial governance and operational excellence.

You will be responsible for the overall finance operations, analytics, reporting, budget preparation and M&A execution.

You will manage and control overall accounting and reporting systems ensuring compliance with local Accounting Policy, Financial regulations and Governing policies.

• Act as strategic finance partner to the Managing Director and functional heads, providing financial insights to drive growth, profitability and risk mitigation.
• Lead short-term and long-term financial planning aligned to business strategy.
• Evaluate new business opportunities, partnerships, acquisitions, artist/content investments and new business initiatives through financial modelling and ROI analysis.
• Develop and track KPIs aligned to revenue streams (catalogue, frontline, licensing, digital, physical, etc.).
• Drive margin improvement initiatives and cost optimization programs.

• Own the annual operating plans and budgets.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting and closures of annual budgeting while maintaining budget ownership with the department and business leaders.
• Work closely with MD and CFO-Finance in driving optimal performance for the business, monitoring budgets and developing financial projections.
• Oversee and advise the month end accounting and monthly forecasts for all associated cost of business.
• Oversee all processes related to compiling and submitting standard notes to financial statements for parent company reporting.
• Oversee all processes related to preparation of executive and external reporting.
• Prepare, review and distribute statutory filings and shareholder reports.
• Govern audit relations, determine controls framework and consistently update tax and statutory audits on emerging changes in business operations.
• Financial dashboard and regular reporting to the management.
• Holding board meetings and do necessary filings in compliance with the local law.
• Cash flow reporting & monitoring.
• Partner with global and regional finance to align with company reporting standards.
• Work closely with Legal to align commercial terms with financial reporting.

• Payment processing as per the Authority matrix.
• VAT and other local regulatory Compliance.
• Review and validate tax liability accounts, calculate tax adjustments or provisions, prepare and post tax journal entries.
• Fixed asset accounting.
• Royalty reporting and accounting.

• Revenue recognition in line with the policy.
• Perform revenue mix and AR analysis, analyze customer balances and AR aging, review potential doubtful receivables and bad debt reserves.
• Review collections worklist, follow‑up with customers based on policies and procedures.
• Calculate and record bad debt reserves.

• Oversee administrative operations including facilities, vendor management, office compliance, maintenance, service contracts and insurance.
• Lead vendor negotiations to optimize cost structures.
• Ensure contract repository and documentation governance.
• Oversee payroll, employee reimbursements, employee insurance related matter and related compliance.

• Preferred Industry (or specific exposure):
  Multinational, media, entertainment, content acquisition companies.
• Relevant Work Experience (years): 10-12 years.
• Exposure to M&A transactions, deal structuring and investment analysis preferred.
• Knowledge of IFRS and accounting policies.
• Knowledge of VAT and Dubai local law compliances.
• Experience of working on commercial deals, joint ventures / mergers / acquisitions related commercial and governing roles.
• Excellent presentation skills with an ability to translate financial data into clear commercial insights for seniors, including speaking to the trends and major drivers of the activity.
• Experience of handling Audit processes.
• JV structuring and partnership modelling.

• Collaborative leadership style, build trust across creative and commercial teams, assisting others when required.
• High ownership mindset with ability to influence senior stakeholders and challenge constructively.
• Excellent analytical, verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Structured, organized and execution driven.
• Closure‑oriented, multitasking approach and ability to operate in a lean, fast‑moving environment.
• Discretion in handling confidential information.
• High urgency and bias for action, moves fast without sacrificing quality.

• You join an inclusive, collaborative and global community where you have the opportunity to fuel the creative journey.
• A modern office environment designed to foster productivity, creativity, and teamwork.
• We invest in your professional growth & development.