Group Financial Controller (IPO Readiness)

Role Overview

We are building a group of technology and infrastructure companies on a defined path toward institutional capital and a potential listing on an international stock exchange. We are looking for a Group Financial Controller to build the Group's financial function from the ground up and run it to the standard expected of a company preparing for public capital markets.

Purpose of the RoleTo build and operate the financial and accounting system of the company in line with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), corporate governance best practice, and the requirements applicable to companies preparing for institutional investment and a potential listing on an international stock exchange.

This is the role of an architect of the financial function, not an executor of individual accounting transactions. Routine bookkeeping, payroll, and local tax compliance are outsourced; the Controller designs, controls, and closes.

Key measure of success: the financial function must be built so that, years from now, the first Big4 audit and IPO preparation will not require a material rework of processes, data, or historical reporting.

Reporting line: initially reports directly to the Executive Chairman; transitions to report to the Group CFO once that role is in place.

What the Controller Does DirectlyBuilds the Group's financial function from scratch: processes, policies, and controls.

Participates in designing the Group's financial architecture — corporate structure, financial flows, intra-group licensing models, and the allocation of functions and responsibilities across group companies — together with external legal and tax/transfer-pricing advisors, to ensure transparency, scalability, and compliance with IFRS, transfer-pricing requirements, and future IPO readiness.

Selects, implements, and develops the Group's ERP and finance systems, ensuring a full audit trail, consolidation, multi-level approvals, internal controls, and readiness for international audit.

Ensures financial data quality, a single Group Chart of Accounts, master-data consistency, and the integrity of financial information (data governance).

Consolidates the Group's companies: multi-entity, multi-currency, with correct elimination of intra-group transactions (including intra-group licensing royalties).

Ensures timely, high-quality month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close in line with an approved Financial Close Calendar.

Prepares IFRS reporting.

Oversees corporate treasury, banking relationships, payment processes, and Group liquidity.

Prepares budgets and cash-flow forecasts.

Prepares materials for the Board of Directors, external auditors and — as it is established — the Audit Committee (board reporting, KPIs, variance analysis).

Prepares financial packages and figures for investors (in support of the CFO; ownership of investor relations remains with the CFO).

Coordinates external auditors, tax advisors, valuers, and other financial advisors of the Group.

Develops financial policies, internal regulations, and the internal financial control system.

Documents processes as an ongoing discipline, not a one-off exercise ahead of audit.

What the Controller Oversees (Outsourced / Local)Primary bookkeeping and journal entries — outsourced; the Controller reviews and closes.

Payroll — outsourced.

Local tax compliance in individual countries — local accountants.

Implementation and maintenance of the transfer-pricing model and intra-group licensing flows — the model is developed together with external tax/TP advisors; the Controller embeds it into the accounts, documentation, and reporting and ensures compliance.

Compliance with Economic Substance

Requirements

• (ESR) and other corporate substance requirements in the Group's relevant jurisdictions.
• Audit and IPO Readiness
• Builds the financial function so that the first Big4 audit will not require a rework.
• Prepares the Group for annual external audit and manages the relationship with Big4 auditors.
• Ensures compliance with corporate governance requirements.
• Prepares processes for scaling and a future IPO.

Requirements

• Degree in finance or accounting.
• Professional qualification
• ACCA, ACA, or CPA (qualified candidates preferred, all else equal).
• Strong command of IFRS.Hands-on experience preparing consolidated financial statements for an international group (multi-entity, multi-currency, with intra-group eliminations) — assessed via a practical case study.
• Experience working with external auditors.
• Hands-on experience implementing or substantially transforming ERP / finance systems is a significant advantage.
• Fluent English.
• Advantage: Big4 background followed by a move into industry (exposure to both audit and real-world close).
• Advantage: experience in a technology company.
• Significant advantage: experience preparing a company for IPO.US GAAP is a desirable bonus, not a mandatory requirement (a NASDAQ listing via IFRS as a foreign private issuer is acceptable).
• Personal Qualities
• High accountability, impeccable accuracy, strategic thinking, the ability to build processes from scratch, confidentiality, a systematic approach, initiative, a high standard of professional ethics, and the ability to operate in a fast-growing international company.

Compensation

We offer a market-leading package for the right candidate. The total fixed package reflects the seniority of a Group-level, IPO-ready Controller — above the median for the Dubai market — and is structured in line with UAE practice.

Fixed compensationTotal fixed package: competitive monthly package (basic salary plus housing and transport allowances), benchmarked to the senior end of the Dubai market and calibrated to the candidate's profile and IPO experience.

Basic salary structured as per UAE norms, forming the basis for end-of-service gratuity.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical insurance (employee and family).

Annual home flights.30 calendar days of paid annual leave.

End-of-service gratuity in accordance with UAE labour law.

Variable compensationAnnual performance bonus tied to clearly defined KPIs — a clean and timely close, a successful first external audit with no major findings, and on-time ERP implementation.

Long-term / IPO-linked incentiveBecause this role is specifically about building the financial function toward a future IPO, we are offering a long-term incentive linked to the Group's growth and liquidity milestones.

The structure (for example, an IPO-linked incentive or equivalent) is agreed individually with the successful candidate, so that the person who builds the function shares in the upside they help create.

Note: The UAE levies no personal income tax; the package is paid gross and received net.

How to Apply

Applications are treated in strict confidence. Please submit your CV and a short cover note outlining your consolidation and IFRS experience and any prior involvement in audit or IPO preparation.