Financial Director

About the Role and Company

We represent a prominent organization within the transportation and logistics sector based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The company is seeking an experienced Financial Director with over 15 years of advancing financial expertise, particularly within transport, logistics, or industries with significant fleet operations. This leadership position entails overseeing the finance department and shaping strategic financial initiatives across diverse operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Steer the annual budgeting, forecasting, and long-term financial strategy processes.
• Compile, assess, and present consolidated financial statements that adhere to IFRS standards.
• Manage cash flow, liquidity, and treasury functions across all corporate entities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with banking partners, financial institutions, and auditing bodies.
• Ensure strict compliance with local tax laws, including Zakat and VAT obligations.
• Implement and oversee internal control systems and coordinate comprehensive audits.
• Champion cost reduction and enhance working capital effectiveness.
• Conduct detailed cost analysis, including metrics such as cost-per-kilometer and cost-per-trip, to drive operational efficiencies.
• Assist in pricing strategies and evaluate contract profitability for freight and logistics agreements.
• Monitor fluctuations in fuel prices and assess their effects on earnings, proposing appropriate countermeasures.
• Support decisions regarding fleet growth by performing lease-versus-buy financial assessments.
• Oversee capital expenditure planning and evaluate investment opportunities.
• Participate in mergers and acquisitions activities, including due diligence and financial structuring when necessary.
• Lead and cultivate the finance team by fostering talent development and ensuring succession readiness.
• Communicate financial results and key performance indicators to senior leadership, including Group CFO, CEO, and Board members.

Qualifications and Experience

• Possession of a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a closely related discipline; a Master's degree or MBA is preferred.
• Must hold a professional accounting or finance certification such as CPA, CMA, CFA, or SOCPA.
• Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in finance with at least five years in a leadership role.
• Prior work history in the transportation, logistics, or fleet-dependent industries is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in ERP systems including SAP, Oracle, and Microsoft Dynamics.
• Knowledge of fleet management software that integrates with financial and ERP platforms is required.
• Strong comprehension of logistics cost factors such as fuel, driver expenses, maintenance, and depreciation.
• Advanced skills in financial modeling, Microsoft Excel, and Power BI.
• Deep familiarity with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and Saudi Arabian tax and Zakat regulations.
• Exceptional leadership qualities coupled with excellent negotiation and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Fluency in both Arabic and English languages is mandatory.