Job Overview
Al-Futtaim Automotive is seeking an experienced Head of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) in Dubai, UAE to lead financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and performance management across its UAE and international automotive operations.
This senior finance leadership position is ideal for professionals with extensive experience in financial analysis, strategic planning, commercial finance, and business performance management within large, complex organisations.
The successful candidate will play a key role in translating business strategies into financial plans, providing valuable insights to senior management, improving financial performance, and supporting important business decisions related to profitability, investments, growth, and resource allocation.
Working closely with Automotive leadership, business unit finance teams, and Group Finance, the Head of FP&A will also drive financial transformation through automation, advanced analytics, business intelligence, and technology-enabled forecasting.
Key Responsibilities
1. Financial Planning and Budgeting
- Lead the annual budgeting process, periodic financial forecasts, and long-term financial planning across Automotive operations.
- Develop integrated financial plans covering profit and loss (P&L), balance sheets, cash flow, working capital, and capital expenditure.
- Ensure financial plans are aligned with business strategies and organisational objectives.
- Monitor financial performance and identify opportunities to improve profitability and operational efficiency.
2. Financial Analysis and Business Performance
- Analyse business performance, sales volumes, pricing, profit margins, productivity, operating costs, and investments.
- Evaluate financial assumptions and prepare scenario-based forecasts to identify potential business risks and growth opportunities.
- Provide actionable financial insights and recommendations to support management decisions.
- Develop strategies to improve financial performance and achieve business targets.
3. Executive Reporting and Management Support
- Lead the preparation of financial performance reports and executive presentations for the Automotive CFO, President, and senior management.
- Present financial results, key performance indicators (KPIs), business trends, and strategic recommendations.
- Translate complex financial information into clear insights for senior business stakeholders.
- Support regular management reviews and ensure timely reporting of financial performance.
4. Commercial Finance and Strategic Decision-Making
- Provide financial analysis to support pricing strategies, marketing campaigns, customer incentives, and sales channel decisions.
- Evaluate cost optimisation opportunities and investment proposals.
- Support capital expenditure planning and prioritisation.
- Prepare financial business cases and assess the commercial impact of strategic initiatives.
5. Financial Performance Management
- Establish consistent financial KPIs, reporting standards, and benchmarking methodologies across business units.
- Connect financial results with operational performance indicators.
- Monitor business performance against approved budgets and forecasts.
- Identify performance gaps and coordinate improvement plans with relevant departments.
6. Financial Systems, Automation and Digital Transformation
- Lead improvements in financial planning systems, forecasting models, and reporting processes.
- Develop and enhance financial dashboards and business intelligence reporting.
- Promote automation to improve reporting accuracy, efficiency, and productivity.
- Support the implementation of AI-enabled forecasting and advanced financial analytics.
- Strengthen financial data quality, reporting governance, and planning methodologies.
7. Financial Governance and Corporate Finance
- Ensure accurate financial reporting, reconciliations, and transparent financial assumptions.
- Maintain appropriate financial controls and model governance.
- Coordinate with Corporate Finance on liquidity, funding, and working capital forecasts.
- Contribute financial analysis and performance reviews to investment proposals and post-investment assessments.
8. Team Leadership and Development
- Lead and develop the Financial Planning & Analysis team.
- Build strong financial, commercial, analytical, and digital capabilities within the department.
- Promote collaboration, accountability, and continuous professional development.
- Support succession planning, talent development, and Emiratization objectives.
Required Skills and Competencies
Candidates applying for the Head of Financial Planning & Analysis position should demonstrate:
- Advanced financial modelling, scenario planning, and sensitivity analysis skills.
- Strong knowledge of financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and performance analytics.
- Excellent understanding of integrated financial planning and driver-based forecasting.
- Strong commercial judgement and strategic financial decision-making abilities.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and executive reporting skills.
- Ability to influence senior stakeholders and challenge financial assumptions constructively.
- Knowledge of financial KPIs, benchmarking, financial controls, and data governance.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and experience with ERP, enterprise planning, and business intelligence platforms.
- Ability to lead financial transformation, process automation, and technology improvement initiatives.
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage and develop a high-performing finance team.
Education and Professional Qualifications
- Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), ACCA, MBA in Finance, or an equivalent professional qualification.
- 10–15 years of relevant experience in finance, financial planning, commercial finance, or financial analysis.
- Previous experience leading an FP&A or commercial finance function within a large and complex organisation.
- Proven experience in annual budgeting, financial forecasting, executive reporting, and financial modelling.
- Strong understanding of management reporting, financial performance analysis, and enterprise planning systems.
- Working knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
Technical and Systems Experience
- Hands-on experience with enterprise planning or financial consolidation platforms.
- Knowledge of SAP BPC is preferred.
- Experience with Anaplan or Oracle EPM is also acceptable.
- Familiarity with SAP as a financial source system.
- Exposure to driver-based forecasting and AI-assisted financial planning.
- Knowledge of Power BI, Microsoft Fabric, or Databricks is advantageous.
Industry Experience
Experience in any of the following industries will be an added advantage:
- Automotive and mobility.
- Retail and distribution.
- Commercial vehicle operations.
- Asset-intensive businesses.
- Working-capital-intensive organisations.
About the Finance Team
The Head of Financial Planning & Analysis will report to the General Manager – Divisional Finance and lead a team of four professionals within Automotive Finance.
The position will support Al-Futtaim Automotive operations across the UAE and international markets. The successful candidate will collaborate with Automotive leadership, Managing Directors, business unit Finance Heads, operational teams, Group Finance, Corporate Finance, and finance transformation stakeholders.
The team is responsible for delivering financial planning, business analytics, management reporting, and strategic financial insights across a diverse automotive business portfolio.
About Al-Futtaim Automotive
Al-Futtaim Automotive is one of the leading mobility businesses in the Middle East, Asia, and North Africa, operating across eight countries.
With a portfolio of more than 25 internationally recognised automotive brands, the company offers a comprehensive range of mobility solutions, including passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, industrial equipment, logistics, vehicle leasing, aftersales services, and financial solutions.
Job Details
- Company: Al-Futtaim Automotive
- Department: Finance
- Job Title: Head of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)
- Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Job Category: Finance and Accounting
- Experience Required: 10–15 Years
- Qualification: CA, CPA, CFA, ACCA, MBA Finance, or equivalent
- Industry: Automotive / Mobility / Retail / Distribution
- Reporting To: General Manager – Divisional Finance
- Team Size: Four team members