Group Financial Director

Position Overview

The Group Financial Director role requires providing strategic and executive leadership over the hospital's financial practices, ensuring accuracy, operational efficiency, and alignment with organizational goals. This position directs financial planning, budgeting, internal controls, and reporting while ensuring full compliance with UAE laws, international accounting standards, and Joint Commission International (JCI) mandates. The Director collaborates closely with hospital leadership and department managers to enhance profitability, optimize resource utilization, manage risks, and support institutional growth strategies.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and enforcement of accounting policies and internal controls to maintain robust financial integrity.
• Assist the CFO in crafting remuneration, incentive, and overarching financial strategies that improve organizational effectiveness.
• Manage the formulation of annual operating and capital budgets, forecasts, and long-term financial plans.
• Provide insightful financial analysis and guidance to assist executive-level decisions and profit optimization.
• Oversee working capital components including receivables, payables, inventory, and cash management.
• Manage banking relations, treasury functions, and cash flow forecasting to secure liquidity.
• Approve financial statements such as profit and loss accounts, balance sheets, and related analytical reviews.
• Ensure precision in payroll processing, ledger entries, and maintenance of the hospital’s fixed asset registers and depreciation policies.
• Guarantee compliance with UAE financial regulations, IFRS, VAT requirements, and internal policies.
• Monitor employee-related financial systems such as Wage Protection System (WPS), End-of-Service Benefits (EOSB), and pension contributions under GPSSA.
• Ensure the finance department complies with JCI standards and is prepared for audits.
• Handle insurance renewals and conduct financial risk assessments to maintain cost-effective coverage.
• Develop and refine internal control frameworks and address audit observations effectively.
• Work collaboratively with multiple stakeholders including hospital departments, suppliers, auditors, banks, and medical professionals on financial issues.
• Negotiate and finalize commercial and financial agreements with suppliers and offer advice on procurement decisions.
• Coordinate with IT teams and software vendors to support and upgrade hospital financial systems like Cerner, ERP, and Lawson.
• Represent the Finance function in board meetings, committees, and special projects.
• Lead and mentor the finance team, encouraging a culture of accountability, high morale, and succession planning.
• Continuously enhance departmental workflows, systems, and job descriptions to improve efficiency.
• Promote a culture of collaboration, excellence, and ongoing development within the Finance Department.

Qualification Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Commerce, or related areas.
• Professional certifications such as Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), or an equivalent credential.
• A Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, or Business Administration is highly preferred.

Experience and Expertise

• A minimum of 10 to 12 years of extensive finance experience, including at least 5 years in senior leadership, ideally within the healthcare sector.
• Strong knowledge of IFRS, GAAP standards, and healthcare-specific accounting requirements.
• Experience with revenue cycle management, CAPEX/OPEX budgeting, and pricing models for healthcare services.
• Familiarity with UAE regulations covering WPS, EOSB, GPSSA pensions, VAT, and labor laws.
• Expertise in designing and maintaining internal control frameworks, managing audits, and mitigating financial risks.
• Proficient with ERP and hospital financial information systems such as Oracle Cerner and Lawson.
• Understanding of insurance policies, treasury functions, and financial risk management strategies.
• Advanced financial analytical skills including forecasting, strategic planning, and decision support.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities, including talent development and managing finance teams.
• Strong negotiation and stakeholder engagement abilities with vendors, auditors, and regulators.
• Experience optimizing ERP and BI systems, developing dashboards, and automating processes.
• Excellent problem-solving aptitude and ability to make high-level financial decisions under pressure.
• Exceptional skills in communicating complex financial information clearly to executive leadership and boards.
• Ability to drive change management initiatives and cultivate a positive finance culture.
• Commitment to confidentiality and integrity in handling sensitive financial data.
• Capacity to influence organizational strategy using data-driven financial insights.
• Strong collaboration skills to work effectively across clinical, operational, and executive teams.