Finance Director

OverviewFinance Director – MENA. Location: Dubai (UAE & KSA remit). Elevate is a global agency network specializing in sport and fan-first strategies powered by cutting-edge insights and proprietary AI technology. Established in 2018, we support over 1,000 ambitious brands across sports, entertainment, consumer products, and retail, delivering personalised strategies that turn followers into devoted fans. Central to our approach is the synergy between our team’s deep expertise and EPIC, which integrates tools for consumer insights, ticketing, property analytics, and more. This combination empowers clients to maximise ROI, enhance fan engagement, and craft campaigns that inspire lasting loyalty. Our team of 500+ employees spans the globe within 20 locations worldwide. We value recruiting diverse individuals to our team to bring new perspectives to our company and look forward to learning more about you in the recruitment process. To learn more and see what we’ve been up to, follow Elevate on X, LinkedIn or Instagram.Role OverviewThe Finance Director will act as a strategic business partner to the Executive Director, Corporate Finance and leadership team, providing clear, real-time insight into the financial health, performance, and trajectory of the Elevate business across KSA and the UAE. The role goes beyond financial control and reporting, focusing on interpreting what the numbers are telling the business, supporting strategic decision-making, advising on growth, liquidity, and risk, and ensuring strong fiscal discipline and fiduciary governance across the organisation.Key ResponsibilitiesFinancial Leadership & StewardshipLead day-to-day financial management across KSA and UAE entitiesAct as custodian of the organisation’s fiscal position and fiduciary responsibilitiesMaintain robust financial controls, policies, and governance frameworks aligned with group standardsEnsure compliance with all statutory, tax, Zakat, VAT, and regulatory requirementsProvide leadership with a clear, real-time understanding of financial performance, cash position, and riskIdentify financial risks and proactively recommend mitigation strategiesManagement Reporting, Controls & VisibilityDeliver accurate, timely management accounts with clear insight into performance driversMaintain full visibility of cash flow, working capital, liquidity, and funding headroomEnsure consistency, integrity, and auditability of financial data across entitiesProvide clear variance analysis explaining performance against budget and forecastForecasting, Budgeting & Financial CadenceReview and stabilise existing budgeting and forecasting processes, addressing gaps inaccuracy, assumptions, and ownershipImprove forecast reliability through tighter definitions, stronger inputs, and disciplined governanceProvide quarterly forecast updates supported by a variance analysis vs the annual budgetSeparate committed revenue, probable pipeline, and upside within forecastsStrengthen integration between pipeline data, delivery plans, headcount, and financial forecastsEstablish and lead a structured monthly financial cadence with leadershipImprove visibility of seasonality, client concentration, and revenue timingEnhance variance analysis to focus on root causes and corrective actionsEnsure alignment with group planning and reporting cyclesCommercial, Client & Project EconomicsDevelop a deep understanding of the agency’s business model, revenue streams, and cost driversAnalyse client portfolios, revenue concentration, pricing, and margin performanceTrack peaks and troughs in client demand and pipeline volatilityAnalyse project-level costing, profitability, and delivery efficiencyStrategic Finance & Decision SupportAdvise leadership on priorities, trade-offs, and investment decisionsDefine and refine performance metrics reflecting true commercial performanceProvide forward-looking insight into business trends, risks, and outlookEmbed strategic finance into growth planning and organisational decision-makingLiquidity, Funding & External RelationshipsIdentify options for liquidity, funding, and financial supportBuild and manage relationships with banks, auditors, advisors, and financial partnersLead long-term financial planning, scenario modelling, and stress testingShared Services & Group Integration LeadershipLead the finance function’s collaboration with shared service teams across HR, business operations, procurement, marketing and legalAct as primary owner of shared service relationships for financeEnsure effective information flow, issue escalation, and resolutionDrive alignment and horizontal integration between local operations and group systems and processesSkills & ExperienceSenior finance leadership experience within an agency, consulting, or professional services environmentStrong understanding of KSA and UAE financial, tax, and regulatory frameworksProven ability to deliver strategic financial insight beyond reportingExperience with project-based costing, ma