Finance Business Partner - Dubai, UAE, United Arab Emirates - Stantec

Description

Job Description

The Middle East Finance Business Partner will work closely with the business, supporting a specific business within the Middle East business.

The primary purpose of the role is to support the business in actively managing project portfolio performance, growth, budgeting & forecasting.

Other key priorities will include ensuring that the business operates in a way that is compliant with Stantec's accounting policies – in particular IFRS 15 and Stantec's revenue recognition policies.

The business partner will advise the business on how to establish and sustain business models in ways that are efficient, effective, and compliant.

Specific day-to-day responsibilities include:

• Work closely with the Finance team and the operational business to manage business performance, and budgeting and forecasting and be an active member of the operating management team. Also provide ongoing financial support to Project Managers and Project Controllers.
• Develop management reporting and analysis to support transparency over the key drivers of Middle East business performance and participate in discussions with the business on how key aspects of performance growth, profitability and cash generation – can be improved.
• Prepare concise commentaries and variance analysis on operating financial performance for their line of business.
• Carry out commercial finance processes that support the monthly, quarterly and year end accounting close & reporting processes, including working closely with the financial accounting team.
• Ensure adequate quality control measures are taken over all aspects of financial reporting.
• Work with the business to prepare and aggregate detailed forecasts for the business lines for which the role is responsible, and support the Group planning, budgeting and forecasting processes as required. Be able to explain the forecasts, and to explain key assumptions, areas of sensitivity, risk & opportunity as needed.
• Support, where required, on the development of price and costing models and strategies to support large and complex project bids to support the BOURC process.
• Work closely with the Finance team to actively manage the Middle East cost base, including developing options for cost reduction where appropriate and possible.
• At all times, ensure you work within the Stantec risk and control framework, which operates to SOX standards.
• Collaborate with Project Accountants (PAs) and Project Managers, and assist with coordination of their monthly project review cycle; also work with PMs and PAs to analyse project financial performance to identify challenges and solutions.
• Provide financial support to Project Managers and Project Control Specialists as required.
• Work with the tax team to ensure tax compliance and other taxation risks are appropriately addressed, as necessary.
• Support external and internal audit activities, as necessary.
• Maintain a strong understanding of key contractual agreements with clients.
• Instil a culture of continuous improvement and lean management across key business processes, roles, controls & technology, including integration with Pune to improve effectiveness and efficiency across commercial finance activities.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will be an operationally and commercially minded qualified accountant with several years' experience ideally in a professional services environment.

The company is seeking an individual who is capable of high-level strategic thinking whilst also being able to roll up their sleeves when required to ensure smooth operation of key business processes across a diverse business portfolio.

Strong leadership skills, and ability to communicate clearly at different levels of the business are essential.


Other specific required qualifications include:

• A finance professional with experience of working in a similar large company environment.
• Ideally a qualified accountant (ACA, CIMA, ACCA or equivalent), or part qualified and actively studying a professional accounting qualification.
• Experience improving controls, processes, and procedures in hands on, roll up your sleeves manner.
• Good understanding of IFRS
• Major ERP business systems experience.
• Natural demonstration of high emotional intelligence and ability to establish and maintain a highly professional team culture and environment.
• A projectorientated finance professional with strength of personality and conviction in one's own decision making to drive high performance and deliver results.
• Credibility, professional integrity and gravitas to challenge at the highest level will be taken as a given.
• Ability to clearly present quantitative information to all levels of management and effectively interact and communicate, both verbally and in writing, with a diverse workforce in multiple countries.

The ideal candidate will be strategic, change orientated, innovative, always seeking to improve.

They will be someone that will thrive in a dynamic and fast paced environment, working with high energy and resilience.

The candidate will have a unique opportunity to play a key role in delivering continued profitable growth of the company.

About Stantec
We're active members of the communities we serve. That's why at Stantec we always design with community in mind. We believe growing a great design company happens from the inside out.

We look for people who are drawn to use every talent they possess, plus creativity, determination and a drive to do the extraordinary.

The Stantec community unites approximately 22,000 employees working in over 400 locations across six continents. We collaborate across disciplines and industries to bring projects to life.

Our work as architects, engineers, and consultants from initial project concept and planning through design, construction and commissioning is built on a solid history of success.

So, when we take on a project, we see the opportunity to make a lasting connection with the people and places where we live and work.

Redefine your personal best. Join us