Associate Director Finance Middle East & Africa

About the Company

Hello! Welcome to Plaza Premium Group, we're people passionate about "Making Travel Better". We are a global company with team members from all walks of life, together we are #PPGFamily, together we are building a legacy. You don't need to be from this industry, you do need to be passionate.

Our promise to you:

-We will respect and value your background and perspectives

-We will work together with integrity

-We will share our incredible pride for job, company, and industry

What we ask of you:

-Bring passion to all that you do

-Listen, move fast and think innovatively

-Speak up, have ideas, and share them

-Believe in customer service, and treating every person with kindness

As industry leaders in innovating global airport hospitality, you will work with colleagues from all parts of the world for a truly global experience. You will help and craft services and facilities in over 200 locations in more than 60 international airports across the world.

Who we are:

We were established in HK in 1998 by someone who understood the value of an airport lounge and felt that the experience shouldn't just be limited to a closed-circuit group of travellers. Through the years we have worked incredibly hard to create an experience that is both accessible and quality. Almost 26 years later we now span four core business segments: airport lounges, airport terminal hotels, airport meet & greet services, and a range of airport dining concepts. In addition to our own brands, PPG provides airport hospitality solutions to leading airlines, alliances, and corporates around the world. Here are a few names you might recognize: Cathay Pacific Airways, Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, etc.

With the future of travel always insight, we created Smart Traveller, a mobile-app rewards program underpinned by in-house technology. We are fast-moving and always evolving to drive our purpose of making travel better.

Join our family today.

Together, we'll make travel better.

Job Scope:

The Associate Director Middle East & Africa, working in Partership with key stakeholders, has primary responsibility for all the financial affairs of PPG Group under his/her region. The key facets of this role includes: (i) partnering with the RFD / RGM : driving profitability and KPIs, growth, management P&L and cost, forecasting and budgeting, financial feasibility for potential business opportunities, joint-venture, and M&A,; (ii) build and grow a strong team with strong DNA on finance discipline, financial controls, regulatory requirements plus strong financial management capabilities, (iii) ensure integrity of financial numbers and records in the MEA region, and that local taxation, local audited accounts etc are complied with; and compliance with PPG Financial & Accounting Policies, and (iv) with the MEA region with coordination of Regional Purchasing & Global Procurement, build, drive and leverage capabilities of the Global Procurement value for money, and cost management- working in conjunction with Head Office Global Procurement Head.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Performance Management

• A key partner to the RGM, Middle East & Africa region and senior management team, in business & financial strategic planning and provide sound financial business decisions.
• Partner with Regional EMEA Management team members to provide planning initiatives through financial and management information analyses, reports, and recommendations.
• Partner with the RGM, Middle East & Africa regional to grow and drive the financial performance of the region, manage cost and leverage procurement
• Provide timely and effective data and KPIs to serve as a basis for sound management decisions including monthly management P&L and KPI, forecasting, budgeting.
• Undertake financial analysis to provide insights and foresights on the business. Evaluate company performance versus the external environment and competitors in areas such as financial performance
• Undertake financial feasibility studies for potential business opportunities, business development opportunities work with RFD / RGM & EMEA Business Development Team.
• Lead the Financial & Tax Due Diligence in M&A and the financial feasibility and attractiveness of the investment with RFD / Group CFO, and key stakeholders.

Financial Controls & Risk Mitigations

• Ensure compliance with PPG Financial & Accounting Policy, Treasury Policies, Global Procurement Policy, Group Taxation Policies
• Monitor (financial) performance and KPIs of the business against the plans and history, and managing forward to anticipate opportunities, and take proactive actions to mitigate potential risk from materializing
• Identify risks and opportunities to the business performance and risk assessment of planned activities and ensure structures are in place to mitigate/exploit them.
• Drive cost reductions through inter alia, procurement, elimination, efficiency, and leverage procurement capabilities
• Ensure the cash resources are managed efficiently and in compliance with PPG policies.

Governance & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all relevant local legal and regulatory requirements including accounting, tax (direct and indirect), and other relevant local legislation (e.g., customs and excise, building regulations etc).
• Working with the local management and Group functions, proactively monitor all actual or potential areas of business risk including:
• Litigation threats
• Customer financial risk including customer solvency, bad debts, large customer risk, reputational risk.
• Supplier risk including large supplier dependence, supplier solvency.
• Tax risks
• Currency and exchange risk
• Fraud and business ethics risks
• Ensure all actual and potential risks identified are communicated to the relevant Group functions.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Certified Public Accountant / Chartered Accountant. MBA in Business Administration with strong finance reporting and analytics for Finance Operations.
• Experience in Hospitality industry of at least 5-10 years and in multi-country or as Area Director of Finance role for at least 3 properties or 3 countries for 3-5 years.
• Strategic, and strong business acumen and commercial mindsets and a global perspective
• Possess strong leadership, analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills with people of multi culture and diversity.
• Agile with proven ability in work in fast moving & dynamic environment; diverse culture and environment
• Professional qualified accountant. Preferable a Chartered Accountant (ACCA / ICAEW) with an MBA Management / Finance.
• At least 5-10 years of relevant experience with reputable sizeable global corporation with least 3- 5 years in area roles/capacity
• Good understanding of IFRS, Auditing standards, Lease Accounting & Tax Matters for Middle East & Africa.
• Competency in English is mandatory and benefit for Arabic Language.