Senior Manager – Finance and Project Controls - Dubai

Job summary

The Senior Manager – Finance and Project Controls acts as the senior financial lead and principal liaison with Corporate Finance, ensuring that the BU's financial operations align with DMCC's group-wide financial governance and policies.

Responsibilities

• Translate DMCC and Property BU strategic objectives into integrated financial and project control strategies to safeguard and grow P&L performance.
• Advise the Director – Commercial and Chief Property Officer on investment priorities, funding structures, and risk-adjusted financial decisions.
• Contribute financial insight to business development and master planning initiatives.
• Lead preparation of annual operating and capital budgets and multi-year financial plans.
• Monitor revenues, expenses, and profitability; investigate variances and drive corrective action to meet or exceed P&L objectives.
• Consolidate and present timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports to BU leadership and Corporate Finance.
• Establish and govern project cost and schedule control systems for all developments and redevelopments. Lead integrated cost/schedule reviews, applying earned value analysis, change-order control, and contingency management.
• Partner with Development, Delivery and Asset Management heads to maintain financial discipline throughout project lifecycles. Design and implement internal financial control frameworks covering procurement, approvals, and reporting.
• Ensure compliance with DMCC financial policies, IFRS standards, and applicable UAE regulations.
• Provide financial data and implement recommendations from audits; primary liaison with Internal Audit remains with the Senior Manager – Commercial & Risk.
• Serve as the senior financial lead and key liaison with DMCC Corporate Finance on funding, cash management, capital allocation, and statutory accounting.
• Collaborate with Development, Delivery, Asset Management, Sales & Leasing, and Property Enablement to secure accurate financial inputs and strengthen cost control.
• Establish Property BU–specific finance and project control policies consistent with DMCC standards.
• Champion automation and digitalization of financial and project reporting to enhance accuracy and efficiency.
• Promote a culture of financial discipline and cost awareness across the Property BU.
• Benchmark and implement best-in-class project control methodologies to drive continuous improvement.
• Deliver board-quality dashboards and reports highlighting financial performance, project progress, variances, and key risks.
• Maintain a complete, auditable repository of budgets, forecasts, and project cost records.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in finance, Accounting, or related field. Master's degree would be highly preferred.
• Professional certifications such as CPA, ACCA, CMA, or PMP (with financial/project control focus) are highly desirable.
• 10+ years' experience in finance, accounting, or project controls, including significant leadership experience in property development, real estate, or construction, with demonstrable P&L exposure.
• Deep understanding of IFRS, project accounting, cost control systems, and financial control frameworks. Strong familiarity with UAE real estate and regulatory requirements.
• Strategic financial planning, complex project cost management, advanced financial analysis and reporting; excellent negotiation skills; high proficiency in MS Excel, ERP, and project control software.
• Strategic thinker, self-motivated, decisive, and able to influence senior stakeholders and cross-functional project teams.

Benefits

• Working at the world's best Free Zone with highly motivated colleagues
• A very diverse workforce from all around the globe
• Well-being initiatives all over the year
• Market competitive basic salary
• Housing allowance
• Transportation allowance
• National Allowance
• Annual flight allowance
• Other alternative family benefits
• Pension Scheme
• Discretionary bonus schemes
• Generous annual leave
• Medical and life insurance cover
• Free covered parking
• Retail discounts with over 450 outlets across JLT.

Job description