Cluster Finance Manager

Direct Reporting to: Group Finance and Dotted to Principals

Function: Finance

Job Location: Abu Dhabi

Travel: Multi-site schools within Abu Dhabi

The Aleph Ya Group of Schools owns and operates institutions across the GCC, with a core focus on nurturing global citizens who maintain a strong connection to both their heritage and the world around them. Aleph Ya schools offer a high-quality education that is both affordable and accessible to every child. The name "Aleph Ya" is inspired by the first and last letters of the Arabic alphabet.

The Finance Manager – Cluster is responsible for leading and strengthening the financial management, governance, and compliance across a cluster of three Ajyal Schools in Abu Dhabi. The role provides end-to-end financial leadership at school level while ensuring alignment with group financial strategy, controls, and reporting standards.

The role exists to safeguard financial sustainability, drive cost discipline, and enable informed decision‑making through high‑quality financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and advisory support to Principals, Senior Leadership Teams, and Group Finance.

This is a hands‑on, commercially focused role that balances operational finance delivery with strategic insight, ensuring full compliance with UAE statutory requirements, including VAT and Corporate Tax, while improving financial rigour, consistency, and efficiency across the cluster.

• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and monthly reporting for all schools in the cluster.
• Monitor financial performance, identify variances, risks, and opportunities, and recommend corrective actions.
• Oversee cash flow and bank management, ensuring liquidity and policy compliance.

• Act as finance partner to Principals, SLTs, and Operations teams.
• Support fee planning, re‑enrolment, hardship assessments, supplier negotiations, and staffing cost analysis.
• Provide financial input into school improvement and efficiency initiatives.

• Ensure accurate month‑end and year‑end close, including ledger review, reconciliations, and MIS reporting.
• Maintain strong internal controls and compliance with IFRS, ADEK, and group finance policies.
• Oversee AP, AR, fixed assets, and balance sheet integrity.

• Ensure full compliance with UAE VAT and Corporate Tax requirements.
• Coordinate internal and external audits and act as finance liaison with auditors, banks, and regulators.

• Manage and develop school‑based finance staff across the cluster.
• Drive standardisation of finance processes and reporting across schools.

• Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), or equivalent qualification in Finance or Accounting.
• Strong understanding of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
• Familiarity with UAE tax regulations; working knowledge of KSA tax and Zakat is desirable.

• Leadership: Strong management skills with a proven ability to motivate and develop teams.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a strong customer service orientation.
• Organizational
  
  Skills:
  
  Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to prioritize tasks effectively.
• Technology Proficiency: Proficient in CRM systems and reporting tools for managing data and workflows.
• Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with school leadership and other departments to implement initiatives.

• Cultural Sensitivity: Culturally aware with the ability to influence and collaborate across diverse teams with empathy and respect.
• Results‑Oriented: Driven by results, delivering high‑quality outcomes within set time frames.
• Approachable & Supportive: Approachable and trustworthy, offering support to staff at all levels.
• Adaptability: Adaptable and solution‑focused in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment.