Associate Director - Financial Planning & Analysis

To lead Aldar Education's group-wide Financial Planning & Analysis function, providing the CFO and Executive Leadership Team with accurate planning, forecasting, performance insight and decision support. The role owns the annual budget, rolling forecasts, management reporting, long-range planning and financial performance analysis across schools and HQ functions. The role also leads Corporate Finance activities, including funding strategy and requirements,investment appraisal, strategic financial modelling, capital allocation analysis and the evaluation of growth and expansion opportunities. The role leads the FP&A team and establishes the systems, data, governance and analytical standardsrequired to support sound financial and investment decisions. Minimum

Qualifications

• Bachelor s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business or a related discipline
• Professional accounting qualification such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA or CA strongly preferred; relevant master s degreedesirable
• Minimum

Experience

Minimum 12 years of progressive finance experience, including at least 5 years leading FP&A, budgeting,forecasting or management reporting teams. Demonstrable ownership of complex, multi-entity or multi-site budgeting, forecasting and management-reporting cycles. Strong experience presenting financial performance, risks and recommendations to CFO and executive-level stakeholders. Advanced financial modelling, scenario analysis and business-case evaluation experience. Experience with ERP, planning and business-intelligence tools; education, services or other multi-site operatingenvironments preferred. Experience supporting growth, transformation or performance-improvement programmes desirable. Experience in investment appraisal, funding analysis, capital allocation, valuation or Corporate Finance projects. Job Specific Knowledge &

Skills

• Expert knowledge of FP&A disciplines, including driver-based planning, rolling forecasts, variance analysis, scenario modelling and long-range planning
• Strong understanding of the Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Statement, and the links between operational drivers and financial outcomes
• Advanced Excel and financial-modelling capability; able to review model logic, assumptions, controls andoutputs
• Strong data and systems orientation, with the ability to improve ERP, planning and business-intelligence reporting processes
• Commercial judgement and the confidence to challenge assumptions, influence senior stakeholders andconvert analysis into decisions
• Clear executive communication, including concise written commentary and presentation of complexinformation
• Strong people leadership, coaching, prioritisation and quality-review capability
• High standards of accuracy, ownership, confidentiality and deadline management
• Fluent written and spoken English; cultural sensitivity and effectiveness in a diverse stakeholder environment
• Strong knowledge of investment appraisal methods, including discounted cash flow, net present value, internal rate of return, payback analysis and sensitivity modelling
• Ability to evaluate funding requirements, capital allocation choices and the financial implications of strategic growth decisions
• What We Offer: Aldar Education is a family of world-class, child-centered, and innovative schools based in the UAE. We educate students across our group of owned and managed schools and as we grow, so does our need for highly skilled, inspirational, and dedicated school and educational leaders
• We offer an attractive remuneration package including a range of benefits
• Our future-focused learning model includes both students and staff, so we place a special emphasis on professional development, coaching, and training
• Successful candidates will have access to a wide network of professionals and opportunities to both lead and contribute to training others as well as developing themselves
• This job description is not all-inclusive
• Aldar Education reserves the right to amend this job description at any time
• We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment
• We are dedicated to our national development strategy and encourage UAE Nationals in their application to our company
• Aldar Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment
• Offers of appointment are subject to satisfactory references and police clearance
• Main

Duties

• Lead the group-wide FP&A function across the school portfolio and HQ functions
• Own the annual budget, rolling forecast, five-year plan and in-year reforecasting cycles
• Provide clear, timely management information and performance insight to the CFO and executive leadership
• Strengthen budgetary control, cost discipline, financial accountability and corrective-action tracking
• Lead school and functional performance reviews, translating financial and operational data into actionable recommendations
• Develop FP&A capability through effective team leadership, standardised processes, planning tools and datagovernance
• Lead Corporate Finance analysis, funding assessments, investment appraisal and strategic financial modelling for growthand expansion initiatives
• Specific

Duties

• Planning, budgeting and forecasting Lead the annual budget process for all schools and HQ functions, including assumptions, timetables, templates, challenge sessions and final consolidation
• Own rolling forecasts and scenario modelling for enrolment, tuition revenue, staffing, operating costs, capitalexpenditure and cash flow
• Consolidate the Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Statement for the full portfolio, ensuring consistency and reconciliation across entities
• Maintain the five-year financial plan and ensure alignment with approved strategic and operational priorities
• Establish planning assumptions, sensitivity ranges and clear version control for all budget and forecast submissions
• Allocate work effectively, review key outputs and maintain resilience across critical planning and reportingcycles
• Build strong working relationships across Finance, schools and HQ functions while maintaining independent financial challenge

Desired Candidate Profile

Bachelor s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business or a related discipline. Professional accounting qualification such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA or CA strongly preferred; relevant master s degreedesirable. Minimum

Experience

Skills

• Expert knowledge of FP&A disciplines, including driver-based planning, rolling forecasts, variance analysis, scenario modelling and long-range planning
• Strong understanding of the Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Statement, and the links between operational drivers and financial outcomes
• Advanced Excel and financial-modelling capability; able to review model logic, assumptions, controls andoutputs
• Strong data and systems orientation, with the ability to improve ERP, planning and business-intelligence reporting processes
• Commercial judgement and the confidence to challenge assumptions, influence senior stakeholders andconvert analysis into decisions
• Clear executive communication, including concise written commentary and presentation of complexinformation
• Strong people leadership, coaching, prioritisation and quality-review capability
• High standards of accuracy, ownership, confidentiality and deadline management
• Fluent written and spoken English; cultural sensitivity and effectiveness in a diverse stakeholder environment
• Strong knowledge of investment appraisal methods, including discounted cash flow, net present value, internal rate of return, payback analysis and sensitivity modelling
• Ability to evaluate funding requirements, capital allocation choices and the financial implications of strategic growth decisions