Chief Finance Officer
Commodity Derivatives Trading · Energy · UAE
ROLE OVERVIEW
Role: Chief Finance Officer
Location: UAE (DMCC)
Reporting to: Board of Directors
Employment: Full-time, permanent
Industry: Commodity Derivatives Trading, Energy
THE CLIENT
Our client is an established commodities and financial markets business operating from the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) and Singapore. The firm provides trading and hedging solutions to corporate clients, with a particular focus on the energy sector, and is active across listed derivatives markets.
The business supports corporate clients in managing their commodity price exposure through structured hedging programmes and derivatives transactions, working closely with exchanges, clearing brokers and banking counterparties across the Middle East and Asia.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the Chief Financial Officer will hold overall responsibility for the Company's financial management. The CFO will provide the Board and senior management with clear, timely and commercially relevant financial information, acting as a trusted partner in shaping strategy, safeguarding liquidity and building a finance function fit for a growing, multi-jurisdictional derivatives business.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Financial Strategy & Planning: Shape and deliver the Company's financial strategy in partnership with the Board, supporting growth across the UAE and Singapore.
- Management Accounts & Financial Reporting: Produce accurate, timely management accounts and statutory reporting that give the Board a clear view of performance.
- Budgeting & Forecasting: Lead the annual budget and rolling forecasts, with robust financial models underpinning key commercial decisions.
- Treasury & Liquidity Management: Oversee cash, liquidity and funding, ensuring the business is positioned to meet margin and operational requirements at all times.
- Banking & Broker Relationships: Own relationships with banks, clearing brokers and financial counterparties, including facilities and onboarding.
- Financial Controls: Design, implement and maintain a strong control environment appropriate to a regulated, trading-led business.
- Trading-Related Financial Oversight: Provide financial oversight of trading activity, including P&L, positions, margin and collateral.
- Client Financial Management: Oversee the financial aspects of client relationships, including credit, margining, settlements and reconciliations.
- Tax & Audit: Manage tax compliance across jurisdictions and lead the relationship with external auditors through the annual cycle.
- Financial Risk Oversight: Monitor and report on financial risks including market, credit, liquidity and counterparty exposure.
- Finance Team Leadership: Lead, develop and scale the finance team, building capability as the business grows.
CANDIDATE PROFILE – ESSENTIAL
- Significant senior finance experience, ideally at CFO, Finance Director or Financial Controller level.
- Approximately 10+ years of relevant professional experience.
- Experience within financial markets, commodities, derivatives, brokerage, trading or a closely related environment.
- Strong treasury and liquidity-management experience.
- Strong financial reporting and accounting knowledge.
- Experience managing external auditors.
- Experience managing banking and financial-counterparty relationships.
- Strong budgeting, forecasting and financial-modelling capabilities.
- Demonstrated experience building or managing a finance function.
CANDIDATE PROFILE – HIGHLY DESIRABLE
- Listed futures and options
- Commodity derivatives
- Commodity trading
- Corporate hedging
- Futures exchanges
- Clearing houses
- Margin and collateral management
- Broker relationships
- Multi-currency treasury
- UAE / Singapore Corporate Tax
- DMCC and Singapore-based businesses
- UAE / GCC / Singapore financial markets
