Cluster Financial Controller

Role Overview

The Cluster Financial Controller is a senior finance leader managing a portfolio of seven companies in Saudi Arabia, operating in sectors such as logistics, tank cleaning, inspection and maintenance, water services, trading, crane hire, and equipment rental. Together, these companies generate approximately US$150 million in revenue and employ around 1,200 individuals. Positioned at a near CFO level, this role oversees financial control, reporting, governance, compliance, cash flow management, business performance, and finance leadership across the entire cluster. Close collaboration with business heads ensures alignment with Group policies, systems, delegated authorities, and financial standards.

Core Responsibilities

• Lead the finance departments of all cluster companies while acting as the chief financial advisor to the Executive Director, Group CFO, and business leaders.
• Deliver financial insights regarding performance, profitability, risk management, cash flow, and key business priorities.
• Support commercial initiatives including bids, tenders, pricing strategies, investment evaluations, and operational enhancements.
• Critically assess business assumptions to ensure decisions comply with financial governance and Group policies.
• Manage timely and accurate financial reporting on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis across all entities.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, variance investigation, and reporting to senior management and the Board.
• Enhance financial dashboards, key performance indicators, and overall quality of financial reporting.
• Ensure adherence to Group accounting policies, IFRS standards, and statutory requirements.
• Implement and maintain rigorous financial controls, internal compliance, audit readiness, and resolution of audit findings.
• Administer asset protection including fixed assets, inventory, capital expenditures, and reconciliations.
• Enforce full compliance with Saudi VAT, withholding tax, Zakat, corporate tax, and ZATCA regulations; coordinate statutory filings and liaise with tax advisors and auditors.
• Champion working capital management including receivables, collections, unbilled revenue, payables, and inventory.
• Lead cash flow forecasting and collaborate with Group Treasury on banking arrangements, funding, and risk mitigations.
• Provide oversight of offshore shared services supporting finance operations ensuring efficient month-end closings and reconciliations.
• Drive process improvements, standardization, automation, and cost efficiencies within the finance function.
• Support continuous improvement and optimal use of ERP systems, particularly SAP.
• Lead, mentor, and enhance the capabilities of the cluster finance team promoting a culture of accountability and commercial awareness.
• Strengthen succession planning, role definitions, and performance management within finance teams.
• Foster collaboration among onshore finance, offshore shared services, and the Group finance team.

Qualifications and Experience

• 15 to 20 years of progressive finance experience with senior leadership roles such as Financial Controller, Finance Director, Deputy CFO, or equivalent.
• Demonstrated leadership managing finance across multiple companies or business units.
• Extensive expertise in financial control, reporting, budgeting, forecasting, audits, tax, governance, and working capital management.
• Prior experience in Saudi Arabia or GCC markets is highly preferred.
• Sector experience in logistics, industrial services, equipment rental, crane hire, trading, transport, contracting, water services or asset-intensive businesses is desirable.
• Exposure to group-controlled environments involving centralized Treasury, Tax, Legal, and Internal Audit functions.
• Experience working with or managing offshore/shared services finance teams is advantageous.
• Strong knowledge of ERP systems, especially SAP, alongside reporting tools and initiatives for finance automation.
• Professional accounting qualification such as CA, CPA, ACCA, CMA, or similar required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or related field mandatory; MBA or executive finance qualifications considered a plus.