Financial Operations Director - Government Services | Saudi Arabia

Position Overview

Join a forward-thinking organization at the forefront of government services and process facilitation, where your expertise will play a pivotal role in shaping the financial landscape of our operations. As the Financial Operations Director, you will lead a high-impact team responsible for managing intricate financial operations across diverse currencies and regulatory environments. Your strategic oversight will ensure optimal cash utilization, unwavering compliance, operational excellence, and robust financial governance. This role offers a unique opportunity to drive the digital transformation of financial processes through the strategic implementation of ERP systems, cutting-edge financial technologies, and advanced data-driven reporting solutions.

Key Responsibilities

The Financial Operations Director will be entrusted with the following core accountabilities:

• Strategic Financial Leadership: Provide visionary leadership to the financial operations team, ensuring day-to-day activities are executed with precision, efficiency, and full alignment with organizational policies and strategic objectives.
• Cash Flow & Liquidity Management: Develop, refine, and execute comprehensive cash flow forecasts, liquidity plans, and cash management strategies to sustain operational continuity and support broader business ambitions.
• Banking & Payment Operations: Oversee the management of bank accounts, cultivate strong banking relationships, conduct meticulous reconciliations, streamline payment processes, and ensure seamless financial disbursements.
• Cross-Border Financial Transfers: Lead the execution of domestic and international financial transfers, meticulously adhering to regulatory requirements, internal policies, and cross-border payment protocols to mitigate risks and ensure compliance.
• Foreign Exchange (FX) Operations: Direct currency conversion initiatives, manage exchange rate mechanisms, and oversee multi-currency transactions to optimize financial outcomes and reduce exposure to volatility.
• Process Optimization & Automation: Identify opportunities to enhance banking and payment processes, ensuring transactions are executed in a timely, secure, and cost-efficient manner while driving continuous improvement initiatives.
• Financial Governance & Compliance: Establish and enforce robust financial and accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls that adhere to international standards and best practices, ensuring full compliance with regulatory and audit requirements.
• Financial Reporting & Insights: Prepare and review comprehensive financial reports, statements, and analyses, delivering data-driven insights and actionable recommendations to senior leadership to inform strategic decision-making.
• Digital Transformation Leadership: Spearhead the implementation, optimization, and integration of ERP systems, financial technologies, reporting tools, and other digital solutions to enhance operational efficiency, scalability, and accuracy.
• Risk Management & Mitigation: Proactively identify financial and operational risks, implement robust control measures, and develop mitigation strategies to safeguard organizational assets and ensure financial stability.
• Team Development & Leadership: Foster a high-performance culture within the financial operations team, providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth to cultivate a dynamic and results-driven environment.

Qualifications & Competencies

To excel in this role, candidates must possess the following qualifications, skills, and experience:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
• Professional Experience: Minimum of 12 years of progressive experience in finance, treasury, financial operations, or a related discipline, with a proven track record in senior management roles.
• Certifications: Professional certification such as SOCPA, CMA, ACCA, or an equivalent qualification is highly desirable.
• Technical Expertise:
  • Extensive experience in financial operations, treasury, finance, or banking, with a strong emphasis on leadership and strategic oversight.
  • Deep proficiency in cash management, cash flow forecasting, liquidity management, and banking operations.
  • Hands-on experience managing international financial transfers and cross-border payment operations in compliance with global regulations.
  • Advanced knowledge of foreign exchange (FX) operations, including currency conversions, exchange rate dynamics, and multi-currency transaction management.
  • Expertise in banking relationships, payment mechanisms, bank reconciliations, and financial disbursement processes.
  • Strong familiarity with financial and accounting policies, internal controls, financial governance frameworks, and international best practices.
  • Proficiency in ERP systems, financial technologies, reporting tools, and financial analytics platforms.
  • Understanding of FinTech solutions and their application in modernizing and automating financial operations.
• Analytical & Leadership Skills: Exceptional financial analysis and reporting capabilities, with the ability to translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insights. Demonstrated leadership in stakeholder management, communication, and problem-solving, coupled with a commitment to driving operational excellence.
• Global Exposure: Prior experience in a multi-country, multinational, financial services, payments, or complex financial environment is strongly preferred.