Head - Financial Controller/Commercial Finance

Head of Finance / Commercial Finance Lead Location: Abu Dhabi Reporting To: Group CFO Key Responsibilities: Commercial Finance & Store Profitability: - Drive four-wall EBITDA performance across all operating locations through rigorous financial analysis and operational insights. - Monitor and optimize revenue per square foot, customer spend, utilization rates, and store profitability metrics. - Partner with operations teams to improve labor productivity, scheduling efficiency, and overall cost management. - Analyze party, event, cafe, and F&B revenue streams to maximize margins and profitability. Real Estate Finance & Expansion Strategy: - Lead financial feasibility assessments for new locations, including IRR, NPV, payback period, and investment return analysis. - Evaluate lease structures, rental models, landlord contributions, and fit-out economics for new sites. - Provide financial recommendations on expansion opportunities and capital allocation decisions. - Manage IFRS 16 lease accounting, lease liability tracking, and compliance requirements. Capex Governance & Cost Control: - Establish fit-out budget controls and oversee capital expenditure governance across new store openings. - Monitor contractor costs, project budgets, and investment performance against approved business cases. - Ensure disciplined spending and effective return on invested capital. Treasury, Cash Management & Controls: - Oversee daily cash reconciliations, POS integrity, bank settlements, and revenue controls across all locations. - Implement robust treasury and fraud prevention processes. - Manage petty cash governance and cash handling procedures to ensure financial integrity. Working Capital & Procurement: - Optimize working capital through effective vendor payment management and credit term negotiations. - Implement inventory controls for edutainment materials, merchandise, and F&B supplies. - Improve cash conversion cycles and operational efficiency. Financial Reporting, ERP & Audit Management: - Lead monthly store-level P&L reviews, forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. - Drive reporting automation and data accuracy through ERP platforms such as Odoo or NetSuite. - Support external audits, financial due diligence, and investor reporting requirements. - Maintain audit-ready documentation and support Series A fundraising data room preparation. Key Requirements: - Qualified CA, ACCA, CPA, CMA, or equivalent finance qualification. - Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related discipline. - MBA / Executive MBA from a leading institution preferred. - 10 - 15 years of progressive finance leadership experience, including multi-site consumer-facing businesses. - Experience within retail, hospitality, leisure, entertainment, cinema, family entertainment centers, or F&B chains. - Strong expertise in financial modeling, business case evaluation, and commercial finance. - Deep understanding of IFRS 16 lease accounting and real estate financial analysis. - Hands-on experience with ERP platforms such as Odoo, NetSuite, SAP, or Oracle.