Executive Director Finance

About the Role

This leadership position involves overseeing finance and commercial operations for a prominent Saudi government organization based in Riyadh. The Executive Director is responsible for managing financial and commercial aspects of an extensive multi-billion-dollar operational expenditure (OPEX) and asset portfolio. The portfolio includes a complex system of facilities, assets, services, suppliers, and operational contracts. This role transcends traditional finance functions and combines financial discipline with commercial and operational oversight.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial management across a substantial asset and operational portfolio valued in billions of dollars.
• Manage budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and performance assessment.
• Collaborate closely with senior leadership in facilities, asset management, and operations to enhance financial and operational outcomes.
• Evaluate and challenge existing operating models and strategies related to resources and significant expenditures.
• Oversee commercial aspects of major outsourced service contracts and supplier relationships.
• Develop and implement procurement strategies, contract performance evaluation, and vendor management.
• Drive initiatives aimed at cost efficiency and maximizing value.
• Manage service charge policies, cost recovery processes, and intercompany financial mechanisms.
• Establish and monitor meaningful financial and operational key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Enhance governance frameworks, risk management, internal controls, and commercial accountability.
• Serve as a liaison among operational leadership and corporate functions including Finance, Procurement, Legal, and Risk departments.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will blend the financial acumen of a senior Finance Director or CFO with practical commercial and operational expertise. This includes being comfortable with financial forecasting, contract scrutiny, supplier performance assessment, and operational service delivery innovation. The candidate should have a strong background with at least 15 years of experience in large, asset-intensive, and operationally complex environments.

Relevant sectors include real estate, facilities management, large estates, airports, transportation, healthcare, universities, hospitality, integrated facilities management, property services, and complex multi-site operations.

• Expertise in operational finance and senior-level business partnership.
• Strong capabilities in commercial and cost optimization.
• Experience in facilities and asset-related financial oversight.
• Knowledge of procurement processes and contract administration.
• Skill in supplier performance analysis and commercial negotiations.
• Expertise in governance structures, control mechanisms, and risk management.
• Managing complex operational budgets.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders effectively.

Additional Information

The role requires extensive experience in diverse financial planning, cost containment, procurement, contract lifecycle management, vendor performance, and governance rather than purely accounting-focused functions. This opportunity offers significant influence over how financial resources are allocated, supplier performance is managed, assets are utilized, and commercial decisions are made within a major government entity.