Senior Finance Manager

Dasman Bilingual School is seeking a passionate and knowledgeable Senior Finance Manager to join our growing team in September 2026.

About Dasman Bilingual School: Since 1996, Dasman Bilingual School has provided high-quality bilingual education in a safe and inclusive environment. We celebrate diversity and ensure that every student, regardless of background or ability, feels valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential. With a student body representing various nationalities and abilities, we foster a progressive and welcoming atmosphere that promotes academic excellence and personal growth.

Committed to internationalism and global citizenship, Dasman embraces a holistic approach to education-empowering, engaging, inspiring, and motivating the youth of today to build a better future for tomorrow.

At DBS, we believe in "Never leave anyone behind." Every student has unique skills, and we are committed to nurturing their potential to help them become productive, independent citizens. We recognise the importance of parental involvement and offer training sessions to keep families informed and engaged in their child's development.

Our goal is to become the first research-based practice school in the region, ensuring students thrive through evidence-based education. With science, innovation, and strong community support, we believe DBS can compete with top international schools worldwide.

About Cognita: Cognita is a global leader in independent education. Founded in 2004, we are a growing community of 100+ schools in 16 countries - in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East - serving more than 85,000 students. Each of our schools are proudly unique, however our collective purpose is to create an environment where everyone can, 'Thrive in a rapidly evolving world'.

At Cognita, we know every student is unique. We nurture their distinct personalities and strengths. We support them academically, socially, and emotionally, wherever they are in the world, wherever they're starting from. We protect what's special about them, while offering them rich knowledge, opportunities, and best practices. And they get to be part of something bigger; ensuring they get an education that's, quite literally, world class.

The Senior Finance Manager is a key leadership role, responsible for safeguarding the financial integrity and long-term sustainability of the school. Reporting directly to the CEO / Superintendent, the role acts as a strategic and trusted advisor to the leadership team, with a clear focus on supporting the school's long-term objectives and enduring success.

Beyond day-to-day financial management, the role emphasizes stewardship of resources in alignment with the school's mission-balancing immediate operational needs with long-term value creation, investment in educational quality, and development of a long-term commitment to growth.

A primary focus of the role is to ensure full compliance with Kuwait Ministry requirements, external audit standards, and internal governance policies, while embedding robust financial discipline and accountability across the school.

• Act as a trusted advisor to the CEO / Superintendent, providing financial insight that supports long-term strategic objectives and sustainable growth
• Contribute as an active member of the school's senior leadership team, shaping decisions that balance educational excellence with financial stewardship
• Promote an "infinite game" mindset-ensuring decisions prioritize the long-term health, reputation, and viability of the school over short-term gains
• Build strong relationships with academic and operational leaders to align financial planning with the school's mission and future vision

• Lead the annual budgeting process, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and realistic operational assumptions
• Establish and enforce robust budgetary controls across all departments, including clear accountability, approval frameworks, and variance thresholds
• Monitor budget performance through regular variance analysis, proactively identifying risks and implementing corrective actions
• Ensure disciplined cost management while safeguarding investment in key educational and strategic initiatives
• Develop rolling forecasts and scenario planning to support proactive decision-making
• Oversee accurate and timely preparation of monthly management accounts and annual financial statements

• Ensure full compliance with Kuwait Ministry of Education regulations and reporting requirements
• Act as the primary liaison with external auditors, ensuring efficient audit processes and timely resolution of findings
• Maintain strong internal controls, financial policies, and governance frameworks
• Ensure adherence to tax, statutory, and regulatory obligations

• Oversee all core finance operations including accounts payable, receivable, payroll, and procurement
• Implement…