Finance Director Gulf + Emerging Markets Projects

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity. Learn more at https://www.jnj.com

Job Function:

Finance

Job Sub Function:

Finance Business Partners

Job Category:

People Leader

All Job Posting Locations:

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Job Description:

The Opportunity

Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine Middle East is dedicated to bringing innovative therapies to patients across the Gulf region.

We are looking for a Finance Director Gulf + Emerging Markets Projects, based in Dubai, UAE.

This is a senior finance leadership role with two core dimensions:

• Gulf Region Leadership: Oversee financial strategy and operations for the Gulf business (UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain), ensuring strong performance and sustainable growth.

• Regional Impact: Drive projects across Emerging Markets to improve financial processes, strengthen governance, and improve collaboration.

You will act as a key business partner to the Gulf Leadership Team, providing insights that shape decisions on revenue, resource allocation, cash flow and profitability. The role includes leading planning cycles, optimizing working capital, and managing financial risks and opportunities.

Beyond the Gulf, you will lead initiatives that elevate finance capabilities across Emerging Markets—simplifying structures, improving efficiency, and embedding best practices. This includes major transformation projects and building strong connections between local and regional teams.

Key Responsibilities

Lead Gulf Finance Strategy & Operations

• Act as the finance leader for the Gulf region, partnering with business leadership to shape strategy and deliver sustainable growth.

• Provide actionable insights on revenue, costs, working capital, and cash flow to support decision-making and improve profitability.

• Bring an external lens (customers, distributors, healthcare environment) to inform decisions and strengthen execution across the Cluster.

Financial Planning & Performance Management

• Lead end-to-end planning cycles, including annual budgets, forecast updates, integrated business planning and long-range financial plans. Champion scenario planning and drivers‑based analytics; consolidate and review outcomes with leadership.

• Drive improvements in forecasting accuracy and resource allocation through data-driven analysis and disciplined variance management.

• Steer performance against commitments (revenue, headcount, cost, CAPEX, etc.) and recommend corrective actions where needed.

Regional Projects and Transformation

• Lead strategic projects to simplify financial structures and processes, ensuring they remain fit for purpose in a changing environment.

• Develop clear business cases for proposed changes and manage implementation in collaboration with partners.

• Support finance transformation initiatives that enhance efficiency and transparency.

• Lead workstreams that uplift finance capabilities, tools, and ways of working; codify and scale best practices across markets.

Risk Management & Compliance Governance

• Drive the compliance agenda; embed protocols and internal controls into day‑to‑day operations and finance practices.

• Ensure adherence to global financial policies and local regulations.

• Proactively identify, assess, and track risks; implement mitigation actions and follow‑ups to protect business continuity and reputation.

People Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach, and develop Gulf BUF Finance talent; attract and retain diverse, high‑potential profiles.

• Foster an inclusive, high-performance culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement with clear goals, continuous feedback, and growth opportunities.

• Support talent development and create opportunities for growth within the region.

Qualifications

• University degree in finance, accounting, or related field; professional certification (e.g., CPA, ACCA) preferred.

• At least 10 years of relevant experience in large, multinational, matrix organizations with a consistent track record of execution, and results delivery in senior finance roles.

• Demonstrated leadership of diverse teams and change initiatives; excellent communication and influencing skills to frame compelling financial narratives.

• Demonstrated digital acumen, including experience with advanced analytics, automation, and modern finance technologies to drive efficiency and insight.

• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills with a focus on delivering results; thrives in managing complex projects in dynamic environments.

• Proven compliance mindset and control orientation; ability to manage complexity/ambiguity through periods of change.

• Experience in healthcare or pharmaceuticals is an advantage.

• Fluent in English; Arabic is a plus.

This position offers the chance to shape financial outcomes for a growing Gulf business while leading impactful projects across Emerging Markets. You will play a meaningful role in building a stronger, more efficient finance organization that supports innovation and patient access.