Departer is a leading German Executive Search firm with over 20 years of experience in global leadership recruitment. We specialize in placing executives in medium-sized enterprises and private equity portfolio firms across DACH, MEAI, ASIA and ANZ regions. With a deep understanding of the DACH economy, we facilitate successful placements within global management teams across corporate headquarters and entities abroad.

Our client is a leading Austrian construction group with an established international presence and extensive expertise in complex building, civil engineering, infrastructure, tunnelling, and other technically demanding projects. Headquartered in Vienna, the Group operates across a broad international network and combines strong technical expertise with extensive project experience.

As Chief Financial Officer (m/f/d), you will assume overall responsibility for the local finance function and serve as a key interface between the Qatar organization, local joint venture partners and Group headquarters in Vienna.

The role combines 360-degree responsibility across finance, accounting, controlling, treasury, tax, cash management and related commercial matters with a distinctly hands-on approach. You will lead an established finance team, oversee financial matters across several joint ventures and ensure reliable Group reporting while remaining closely involved in the operational financial management of the project business.

This is a broad and highly visible finance leadership position for an experienced finance executive who understands the dynamics of technical project businesses, operates confidently in a multicultural environment, and combines strong corporate finance discipline with a pragmatic, hands-on leadership style.

Your duties and responsibilities will include:

• Assume overall responsibility for the finance and accounting function of the Qatar organization, providing clear financial leadership and governance
• Lead, develop and further strengthen an established team across accounting and finance
• Serve as the key finance interface between the Qatar organization and Group headquarters in Vienna, ensuring alignment with Group objectives and standards
• Oversee accurate and timely Group reporting, consolidation and compliance with the requirements of an internationally operating, listed organization
• Provide financial leadership across the project business, overseeing controlling, cost development, cash flow, working capital, receivables and financial risks
• Oversee and coordinate financial matters across multiple local joint ventures, working closely with their respective CFOs and finance teams
• Drive continuous improvement and streamlining of finance processes, ensuring an efficient, transparent and pragmatic local organization
• Manage local banking relationships in close coordination with the Head of Treasury at Group headquarters
• Take ownership of cash management, debt collection and receivables management, ensuring appropriate focus on liquidity and working capital
• Oversee accounting, treasury, tax and broader finance-related matters, including interfaces with HR and other corporate functions
• Exercise sound commercial judgment in selected legal and commercial matters and coordinate with local legal counsel where required
• Provide senior management and Group leadership with relevant financial analysis, insights and recommendations to support sound commercial decision-making
• Ensure robust compliance with local statutory requirements, internal controls, Group policies and relevant financial standards
• Build and maintain effective relationships with joint venture partners, banks, advisors and other key stakeholders
• Combine strong financial leadership with a high level of operational involvement, remaining personally engaged in critical financial matters and providing hands-on support where required

To be successful in this role you should have the following skills and experiences:

• University degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or a comparable discipline
• Several years of senior finance leadership experience within an international, project-driven business environment
• Proven professional experience in the Middle East, ideally within construction, civil engineering, infrastructure, plant engineering, industrial machinery, or another technical project business
• Strong understanding of project controlling, project accounting, cost management, cash flow, working capital and the financial dynamics of project-driven organizations
• Experience working within an international organization with frequent and structured collaboration with a corporate headquarters
• Broad finance expertise spanning accounting, controlling, treasury, tax, cash management and collections
• Demonstrated ability to combine senior-level leadership with strong operational and hands-on involvement in day-to-day financial matters
• Experience with joint ventures, consortiums, or comparable partnership structures is a strong advantage
• Strong commercial acumen and analytical capabilities, with the ability to identify financial risks, opportunities and areas for improvement
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to operate effectively across different cultures, functions and organizational levels
• Pragmatic, entrepreneurial and solution-oriented leadership style combined with strong corporate finance discipline
• Proven ability to work closely with senior management and international Group functions and to translate local financial developments into clear management insights