ERP Finance Lead

Role purpose

The ERP Finance Lead owns the Group's finance ERP transformation end to end: from vendor selection and commercial negotiation through design, build, go-live and stable operation. The role turns the GCFO's finance strategy into one integrated platform across the Group's diversified businesses.

The target outcome is a single source of financial truth. That means harmonised processes, a common chart of accounts, faster close, real-time consolidation and full compliance with UAE VAT, Corporate Tax and e-invoicing rules.

The postholder is the Group's senior authority on Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP and SAP S/4HANA. They act as the bridge between Finance, IT, business units, the implementation partner and the software vendor.

Key responsibilities

1. ERP strategy and roadmap

• Define the Group finance ERP vision, target operating model and multi-year roadmap, aligned with the GCFO's priorities and Group growth plans.
• Assess the current application landscape (legacy ERPs, standalone tools, spreadsheets) and build the business case, including TCO, ROI and benefits-realisation plan.
• Recommend the deployment model for a diversified group: single global instance vs. hub-and-spoke, cloud vs. hybrid, phased vs. big-bang rollout by business unit.
• Keep the roadmap current with vendor releases (Oracle quarterly updates, SAP release cycles), AI and automation features.

1. Vendor selection and commercial negotiation

• Lead the full selection process: requirements gathering, RFI/RFP, scripted demos, scoring models, reference checks and proof-of-concept.
• Run an objective evaluation of Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP, SAP S/4HANA (RISE / GROW with SAP) and credible alternatives.
• Negotiate licence and subscription agreements directly with Oracle and SAP: user metrics, module bundling, multi-year pricing, ramp-up schedules, renewal caps and exit terms.
• Select and contract the system integrator: fixed-price vs. time-and-materials, milestone payments, retention, SLAs, key-personnel clauses and penalties.
• Secure data-residency and hosting terms consistent with UAE regulations (e.g. UAE-based data centres where required).
• Work with Group Procurement and Legal on all contract terms and approvals.

1. Implementation leadership

• Act as Programme Lead / Business Design Authority for the finance stream.
• Own the solution design: global template, enterprise structure, legal entities, ledgers, chart of accounts and segment design.
• Lead fit-to-standard workshops, minimise customisation and enforce a “clean core”.
• Manage the integrated plan, budget, RAID log and change control with the system integrator.
• Oversee testing (SIT, UAT, regression, performance), cut-over planning, go-live readiness and hypercare.
• Coordinate phased rollouts across the Group's business units and geographies.

1. Finance process transformation

• Redesign and standardise end-to-end processes: Record-to-Report, Procure-to-Pay, Order-to-Cash, Acquire-to-Retire, Treasury and Cash Management, Project Accounting.
• Deliver multi-entity, multi-currency consolidation with automated intercompany reconciliation and eliminations.
• Target a faster month-end close through automation, reconciliation tools and close-management workflows.
• Embed IFRS reporting, UAE VAT, Corporate Tax (9%) and e-invoicing requirements (Peppol-based UAE e-invoicing framework) in the design.
• Set up planning, budgeting and forecasting integration (Oracle EPM / SAP Analytics Cloud or equivalent).

1. Data, integration and reporting

• Own the data migration strategy: cleansing, mapping, reconciliation and sign-off of opening balances and master data.
• Establish master data governance for chart of accounts, suppliers, customers, assets and cost centres.
• Define integrations with bank platforms, HR/payroll, CRM, dealer, retail or industry-specific systems and the FTA portal.
• Deliver management reporting, dashboards and analytics for the GCFO, Board and business-unit CFOs.

1. Governance, controls and compliance

• Design segregation of duties, role-based access and automated internal controls within the ERP.
• Ensure the system supports internal audit, external audit and regulatory requirements.
• Chair or co-chair the ERP steering committee and report progress, risks and spend to the GCFO and executive committee.
• Own post-go-live support model, release management and continuous improvement (Centre of Excellence).

1. People and change

• Build and lead a finance ERP team: functional leads, solution architects, data and reporting specialists.
• Lead change management, training and adoption across finance teams in all entities.
• Build in-house capability to reduce long-term dependence on external consultants.

Qualifications and experience

Essential

• 15+ years of overall experience in finance, finance systems or ERP consulting, with at least 10 years leading ERP selection and implementation.
• Hands-on, end-to-end leadership of at least 3 full-lifecycle finance ERP implementations, including at least 2 as programme or finance-stream lead.
• Proven delivery on Oracle Fusion Cloud ERP and SAP (S/4HANA, ideally also ECC-to-S/4 migration); deep expertise in at least one and strong working knowledge of the other.
• Direct experience negotiating licence and subscription contracts with Oracle and/or SAP, and system integrator contracts, with documented savings.
• At least 5 years of ERP programme experience in the UAE or GCC, including implementing UAE VAT and Corporate Tax requirements.
• Experience in diversified, multi-entity groups or conglomerates (e.g. automotive, trading, retail, real estate, hospitality, energy, logistics).
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Information Systems or a related field.

Preferred

• Professional accounting qualification: ACCA, CPA, CA or CMA.
• Oracle Cloud ERP Financials Implementation Professional and/or SAP Certified Application Associate / Professional (S/4HANA Finance).
• Programme or project management certification: PMP, PRINCE2, MSP or SAFe.
• MBA or Master's in Finance or Information Systems.
• Experience with Big Four or tier-1 system integrators on the consulting side, plus time on the client side.
• Exposure to UAE e-invoicing programme preparation and Peppol integration.
• Arabic language skills are an advantage.

UAE-specific knowledge

• UAE VAT (5%) configuration, tax reporting and FTA return preparation.
• UAE Corporate Tax (9%), transfer pricing documentation and Free Zone qualifying income treatment.
• UAE e-invoicing (Peppol-based 5-corner model) and Accredited Service Provider integration.
• UAE data-protection and data-residency requirements, local cloud regions (Oracle Abu Dhabi/Dubai; SAP UAE data centres).
• Local banking integrations (e.g. Emirates NBD, FAB, ADCB, Mashreq host-to-host and WPS payroll files).

Cross-platform skills

• Enterprise structure and chart-of-accounts design for diversified groups.
• Business case, TCO modelling and benefits tracking.
• Contract structures for SaaS subscriptions, SI services and managed support.
• Data migration tools and reconciliation approaches.
• Process automation (RPA, AI-assisted reconciliation and invoice capture).

Behavioural competencies

• Strategic and commercial thinking: links technology choices to financial outcomes; negotiates firmly with global vendors.
• Executive presence: communicates clearly with the GCFO, Board, business-unit CEOs and vendor executives.
• Delivery discipline: keeps scope, time and budget under control; makes decisions and escalates early.
• Stakeholder management: aligns diverse businesses with different priorities behind one Group template.
• Change leadership: brings finance teams through new ways of working and builds lasting adoption.
• Integrity and independence: vendor-neutral judgement during selection; strong governance mindset.
• Team building: attracts, develops and retains ERP talent in a competitive UAE market.