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Finance Director
International Community Schools
Source: Headcount Labs ยท original listing โ
Job data: Headcount Labs, ODbL 1.0. Job descriptions belong to their employers.
Posted 14 ุฃูุชูุจุฑ
About this role
Welcome to International Community Schools Abu Dhabi! At ICS, our unwavering commitment is to provide a stimulating and intellectually challenging environment that empowers our students to become innovative thinkers, creative problem solvers, and inspired learners, fully prepared to thrive in the 21st Century. Renowned for our outstanding, holistic education and the development of future leaders, we have earned an enviable reputation in the region for delivering high-quality private education to students from FS/KG to Year 13/Grade 12. We offer a diverse range of curriculum, including both the British and American programs, as well as the International Baccalaureate (IB), Advance Placement (AP), and Ministry of Education (MOE) programs, exceeding minimum expectations and covering a wide array of subjects. International Community Schools (ICS) Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE Position: Director of Finance Industry: Education โ Multi-Campus School Group About International Community Schools International Community Schools (ICS) is a well-established and growing educational group in Abu Dhabi, delivering high-quality British and American curricula across six school branches. We are seeking a highly experienced, commercially astute, and strategically driven Director of Finance to lead the Group's financial operations, strengthen financial governance, and play a pivotal role in shaping its long-term financial strategy and sustainable growth. This is a senior leadership position requiring a professional who can go beyond traditional financial management to provide strategic direction, drive operational efficiency, and support executive-level decision-making. Key Responsibilities Strategic Financial Leadership โข Develop and execute the Group's financial strategy in alignment with organizational goals and long-term growth objectives. โข Serve as a strategic financial advisor to the CEO and senior leadership team. โข Lead financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and financial performance management across all six branches. โข Provide data-driven insights to support strategic investments, business expansion, and major financial decisions. Group Financial Management & Governance โข Oversee and consolidate financial operations, reporting, and controls across all ICS branches. โข Ensure financial transparency, accountability, regulatory compliance, and strong internal controls. โข Manage cash flow, working capital, financial risks, and capital expenditure. โข Oversee annual audits, statutory financial reporting, and compliance with UAE financial and tax regulations. Operational Excellence & Cost Optimization โข Identify opportunities for cost optimization, revenue enhancement, and improved profitability without compromising educational quality. โข Establish financial KPIs and performance benchmarks for individual schools and the Group. โข Monitor student fee collections, revenue forecasts, operational expenditures, and overall financial sustainability. โข Strengthen financial processes, ERP utilization, automation, and management reporting. Leadership & Stakeholder Management โข Lead, mentor, and develop finance and accounting teams across all branches. โข Collaborate closely with school principals, operations, HR, procurement, and other departments. โข Present financial performance, strategic recommendations, and risk assessments to executive management. โข Drive a culture of financial discipline, accountability, and continuous improvement. Requirements Qualifications & Experience โข Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related discipline. โข Professional certification such as CA, ACCA, CPA, or CMA is strongly preferred. MBA in Finance is an advantage. โข Minimum 12โ15 years of progressive financial management experience , including substantial experience in a senior finance leadership role. โข Prior experience in the UAE education sector, preferably managing multiple schools or campuses, is highly desirable. โข Proven track record of strategic financial planning, financial restructuring, cost optimization, and organizational growth. โข Strong understanding of UAE taxation, regulatory compliance, financial reporting standards, and corporate governance. โข Demonstrated experience managing complex budgets, multiple cost centers, and consolidated financial reporting. โข Strong ERP, financial analytics, and business intelligence capabilities. The Ideal Candidate We are looking for a strategic leader, not simply a financial controller โ someone who demonstrates: โข Strong business acumen and independent decision-making capabilities. โข The ability to balance financial sustainability with educational excellence. โข A proactive, results-oriented approach to organizational challenges. โข Exceptional leadership, communication, negotiation, and stakeholder-management skills. โข The confidence to challenge existing processes, introduce improvements, and drive meaningful organizational change. Benefits This is an opportunity to join an established and growing school group, influence executive decisions, lead financial transformation across multiple campuses, and make a lasting contribution to the future of education. Salary and benefits as per exposure and job title.