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 leader in innovative industrial automation and production process solutions. The Head of Finance and Operations for the sales subsidiary oversees all aspects of finance, operations, HR, and administration in the UAE. This leadership role requires a strategic thinker, a results-driven manager with a strong hands-on mentality, and a leader who can develop and execute plans to achieve revenue and market share growth targets.

Your duties and responsibilities will include:

• Manage the finance department, overseeing accounting, financial reporting, internal controls, budget preparation, and ensuring compliance with all legal and regulatory obligations
• Provide financial guidance and decision-making support to the Managing Director of Sales
• Ensure that day-to-day operations, including order processing and logistics, run smoothly and efficiently, meeting global standards and customer expectations
• Implement strategies to streamline and enhance operational procedures
• Oversee HR operations, including payroll, sick leave management, employee contracts, recruitment, organizational restructuring, insurance, and legal matters
• Ensure all HR policies are aligned with both company standards and local regulations
• Prepare and manage both short-term and long-term budgets, ensuring financial implications are well understood before decisions are made
• Maintain adherence to both internal policies and external regulatory requirements
• Ensure that all financial and HR operations comply with global operating procedures and legal standards in the UAE
• Lead and coach a small, diverse team to achieve operational excellence, foster a collaborative, high-performance culture that supports the company’s goals
• Work closely with the headquarters' global teams (Finance, HR, Logistics, IT) to ensure that operational and financial practices align with global standards and corporate objectives
• Provide proactive support to the Managing Director of Sales on finance, operations, and HR topics
• Make timely decisions that reflect both short-term and long-term business needs

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

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, or related field
• Minimum of 8-10 years of relevant experience, including 5+ years in a leadership role overseeing finance and operations
• Experience within a multinational environment
• In-depth knowledge of accounting, financial reporting, and internal controls
• Strong understanding of HR processes, legal compliance, and employee management in the UAE
• Proven track record of leading cross-functional teams, managing budgets, and driving operational efficiency
• Expertise in organizational restructuring, recruitment, and employee development
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams and geographies
• Hands-on, results-driven leadership style with the ability to make decisions based on data and business needs
• Ability to travel internationally as required