ABOUT DEPARTER - THE KNOW-WHO PEOPLE

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 global leader in the manufacture of self-adhesive products and system solutions for industry, trade, and consumers, operating in over 100 countries with more than 5,000 employees worldwide. We are seeking a Financial Controller (m/f/d) to play a key role in overseeing and managing the company’s financial reporting, planning, and control activities in line with both corporate and local requirements. In this role, you will ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial information, drive the preparation and analysis of budgets, forecasts, and financial performance, and ensure full compliance with UAE regulations and internal systems. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to strategic decision-making within a dynamic, innovative, and globally recognized organization. 

Your duties and responsibilities will include:

• Lead financial reporting and monitoring, coordinating all submissions within the Internal Monitoring System to ensure accuracy, completeness, and timeliness
• Own group reporting, ensuring compliance with corporate deadlines and International Financial Reporting Standards
• Ensure accurate IFRS provisions during month-end and quarter-end closings
• Manage and enhance the Cost Center reporting framework, improving data quality, consistency, and usability
• Monitor financial performance against budgets and forecasts, providing clear variance analysis and actionable insights
• Prepare and oversee the Annual Business Plan and periodic forecast updates, aligned with corporate standards and business strategy
• Coordinate cross-functional inputs to ensure accurate, realistic, and strategy-aligned financial plans
• Support annual IFRS audits, serving as the primary liaison with corporate and external audit partners
• Oversee Risk and Control Matrix activities, including compensating controls for Segregation of Duties conflicts
• Produce ad hoc management reports and perform financial calculations, including quarterly distributor premium calculations, to support decision-making

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

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, or Business Administration
• Minimum 5 years of proven experience in controlling and accounting within the UAE
• In-depth knowledge of UAE tax laws, VAT, corporate tax, and financial regulations
• Advanced proficiency in MS Office and SAP
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to provide actionable financial insights
• Highly detail-oriented, organized, and self-aware
• Customer-focused and results-driven, able to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Excellent team player with exceptional collaboration and communication abilities
• Fluent in English, both written and verbal

ABOUT DEPARTER - THE KNOW-WHO PEOPLE

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 German client is a global market leader and producer of complex industrial machinery. Over the last years, the company has successfully developed its MEA headquarters in Dubai and its MEA Growth Strategy. Currently, more than 18.000 employees work in entities worldwide. As the Head of Finance and Tax, you will strategically lead financial control and tax compliance across the Middle East and Africa region. The focus of the role is to ensure accurate financial reporting, optimize tax strategies, and maintain compliance with diverse regulatory environments across multiple jurisdictions. The ideal candidate will bring strong leadership, regional expertise, and a proactive approach to financial governance. 

Your duties and responsibilities will include:

• Oversee financial operations across MEA entities, ensuring IFRS and local GAAP compliance
• Coordinate month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closing processes
• Provide financial insights and strategic recommendations to senior leadership
• Ensure implementation and adherence to group IFRS guidelines
• Monitor and support subsidiaries with receivables and overdue balances escalation
• Lead financial integration in ERP system implementation, ensuring alignment with global standards
• Act as a strategic liaison among the group, regional management, and subsidiaries
• Collaborate closely with Treasury for financial operations and decision-making
• Standardize financial reporting across the MEA region to ensure a "one reporting" approach
• Ensure compliance with local tax laws (e.g., VAT, corporate tax) and manage tax audits
• Advise on cross-border transactions, transfer pricing, and tax legislation changes
• Lead and develop finance and tax teams, collaborating with regional, legal, and operational teams.

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