Regional Financial Controller

Regional Financial Controller – Driving Financial Excellence in the MENA Region

Join Elevate, a globally recognized sports and entertainment agency, as the Regional Financial Controller for the MENA region. In this pivotal role, you will oversee the financial integrity, reporting, and operational efficiency of our dynamic business operations across the Middle East and North Africa. Reporting directly to the Regional Finance Director and leading a team of three, you will play a critical role in ensuring robust financial controls, compliance, and strategic financial insights to support Elevate’s growth and success.

Elevate is more than just an agency—it is a trusted partner for over 1,000 global brands, delivering operational expertise, data-driven intelligence, and creative solutions across sports, culture, attractions, culinary, and hospitality sectors. With a presence in 14 offices worldwide and a team of over 750 professionals, we foster a collaborative, fast-paced environment where innovation and precision drive results.

Key Responsibilities

As the Regional Financial Controller, your responsibilities will span financial leadership, strategic planning, and operational excellence:

• Financial Control and Reporting: Lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close processes across all MENA entities, ensuring accuracy, timely reporting, and adherence to Group accounting policies and IFRS standards. Own the preparation and review of management accounts, balance sheet reconciliations, cash flow reports, and supporting schedules, providing clear commentary on financial movements, risks, and actionable insights.
• Strategic Financial Leadership: Maintain the integrity of the general ledger, chart of accounts, and intercompany balances while guiding the finance team in their day-to-day responsibilities. Collaborate with the Regional Finance Director and broader business leadership to deliver reliable forecasts, cash flow visibility, and strategic financial analysis in a dynamic, project-driven environment.
• Planning and Business Support: Partner with the Finance Business Partner to resolve complex accounting issues related to project reporting, revenue recognition, contract arrangements, and margin analysis. Assess the financial, tax, and entity implications of new contracts, bids, and cross-border activities, ensuring alignment with commercial objectives and regulatory requirements.
• Treasury and Working Capital Management: Maintain short- and medium-term cash flow forecasts and support the Regional Finance Director in funding and liquidity decisions. Optimize accounts receivable, collections, billing, and accounts payable processes to minimize unbilled revenue and overdue receivables while ensuring timely payments and bank reconciliations.
• Compliance and Controls: Ensure full compliance with accounting, tax, and regulatory standards across MENA, managing statutory obligations and coordinating with local advisers to maintain accurate records and timely submissions. Strengthen internal controls over purchasing, supplier onboarding, expenses, payroll, and balance sheet accounts, identifying and addressing gaps to protect the business while enabling operational efficiency.
• Systems and Data Innovation: Champion the effective use and continuous development of NetSuite within the MENA finance function, driving automation to reduce manual processes and enhance team focus on analysis and decision support. Establish clear documentation for key finance processes and advocate for data-driven improvements to support Elevate’s growth trajectory.

This role is ideal for a seasoned financial professional with a proven track record in regional financial leadership, a deep understanding of IFRS and Group accounting policies, and a passion for driving operational excellence in a fast-moving, client-focused environment. If you thrive in a dynamic, collaborative setting and are eager to make a meaningful impact, we invite you to be part of Elevate’s journey.