Senior Manager Financial Reporting (Real Estate)

Since its inception in 2000, our client has emerged as a prominent and fast-growing retail group serving markets across the Middle East. The organization partners with world-class fashion and lifestyle brands, delivering globally inspired products and experiences to discerning consumers throughout the GCC. Guided by a vision to become a leading regional gateway for international retailers, the company has successfully built a broad portfolio across diverse consumer categories. Its collaborative approach with global brand partners, combined with extensive market expertise and a customer-first mindset, has enabled sustained growth and ongoing expansion across the region. Today, our client remains well-positioned to capitalize on emerging opportunities within the dynamic Middle Eastern retail market.

Role Description:

• The Senior Manager – R2R oversees the financial reporting, management reporting and regulatory reporting processes.
• The role is responsible for process efficiency, reporting accuracy and cross-functional collaboration.
• It supports the Director – Record to Report in creating value within the Finance sub-function through continuous improvement and optimisation of existing processes.
• The role also leads the team to foster customer centricity and service excellence, aligned with the shared vision.

Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Planning & Financial Governance

• Support the financial reporting strategy, aligning it with corporate financial goals.
• Ensure compliance with IFRS, US GAAP and local regulatory standards.
• Support financial risk management initiatives to mitigate process risks.
• Guide the team to ensure adherence to reporting processes, guidelines and protocols, delivering against agreed SLAs.
• Track relevant KPIs, identify operational gaps and guide the team in achieving its objectives.
• Support special projects and initiatives that deliver continuous value to Finance and align with business goals.

2. Financial Reporting & Analysis

• Lead the preparation and review of monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports, ensuring accuracy and compliance with financial regulations and policies.
• Oversee the preparation of financial statements and management reports that provide insights into financial performance.
• Ensure reporting processes align with business goals and regulatory requirements.
• Manage the consolidation process.
• Review and approve financial statement footnotes and disclosures.

3. Management Reporting

• Develop and maintain management reports and dashboards.
• Analyse financial results and provide insights to senior management.
• Prepare variance analysis comparing actual results with budgets and forecasts.
• Collaborate with the FP&A team to align financial reporting with planning and analysis.

4. Regulatory Reporting

• Ensure compliance with reporting requirements and deadlines.
• Monitor changes in reporting standards and implement necessary updates.
• Liaise with external auditors during the audit process.

5. Stakeholder Management

• Collaborate with Finance teams to ensure financial data is accurate and up to date.
• Act as the primary escalation point for critical issues, coordinating with IT and other stakeholders to ensure timely resolution.
• Manage a team of Assistant Managers, Senior Associates and Associates within reporting.
• Build strong working relationships with Finance, Internal Audit, Business Operations and other internal stakeholders.
• Provide regular updates and escalate issues to senior management in a timely manner.

6. Internal Controls & Compliance

• Ensure reporting processes comply with GAAP/IFRS and internal policies.
• Implement and maintain internal controls related to financial reporting.
• Monitor compliance procedures, identify control gaps and drive corrective actions.
• Monitor adherence to risk assessment frameworks and checklists across operations, systems and processes.
• Review risk assessment outcomes and implement appropriate controls to address identified vulnerabilities.

7. Process Improvement & Reporting

• Identify and implement reporting process improvements, including automation tools and reporting systems.
• Develop best practices that improve accuracy and reduce manual effort.
• Standardise R2R processes across subsidiaries while maintaining necessary flexibility.
• Assess reporting workflows and drive initiatives to reduce cycle times and improve accuracy.
• Identify opportunities to reduce costs and improve operational efficiency.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to implement process improvements effectively.

8. People Management

• Lead the team and ensure individual objectives and priorities align with Finance and overall business objectives.
• Provide day-to-day supervision and support to direct reports in achieving operational goals.
• Monitor team upskilling and continuous development in line with Finance capability requirements and service priorities.
• Foster a customer-centric and service-oriented culture that encourages innovation and high performance.

Requirements:

Qualifications, Experience & Skills

• A bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance is required.
• Professional certification such as CA, CPA or ACCA is required.

Experience

• At least 7 years of experience in financial reporting, general ledger, financial close processes or a similar area.
• Strong expertise in financial controls, compliance and governance frameworks.
• A proven track record in stakeholder management and service excellence.
• Strong leadership and relationship management skills, with a customer-focused approach.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• A strong understanding of Finance functions and processes.
• Real estate or related-sector experience is preferred.
• Experience in finance shared services is preferred.
• Middle East regional experience is preferred.

Technical Skills & Competencies

• Experience with ERP systems such as Oracle Fusion and FCCS.
• Familiarity with tools and technologies such as ARCS and AI-driven analytics.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP/IFRS and financial reporting requirements.
• Behavioural Competencies
• Strategic orientation
• Customer focus
• Intrapreneurial thinking
• Talent focus and employee centricity
• Process excellence and execution focus
• Innovation
• Team leadership