Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO) – UAE & KSA

Driven to create unique home-grown food concepts that bring people together, the Independent Food Company is a UAE-based hospitality company with multiple concepts under its umbrella – SALT, Parker's, Somewhere, Public, Soil, Shalwa and Kumo.

Reporting To: CEO / Founders
Location: Dubai, UAE (with oversight of KSA operations)

Position Summary: The Group CFO will be responsible for the strategic financial leadership of a multi-country restaurant group with 80+ outlets across UAE and KSA. This role will lead corporate finance, tax optimization, executive compensation frameworks, transfer pricing compliance, and support growth and expansion strategies. The CFO will also act as the main liaison with investors and external advisors and be responsible for preparing the company for a future public listing (IPO or equivalent).

Key Responsibilities:

1. Financial Strategy & Planning

• Own group-wide P&L across UAE and KSA operations.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management.
• Provide strategic financial insights to support expansion and growth initiatives.

2. Corporate Tax & Transfer Pricing

• Ensure UAE corporate tax compliance (9% CT) for OpCos.
• Manage KSA Zakat/CIT compliance and reporting.
• Lead intercompany transactions (royalties, management fees) and transfer pricing documentation.

3. Executive Compensation & Incentives

• Design and implement compensation frameworks for founders, CEO, MDs, and senior executives.
• Align incentives with group performance metrics and long-term value creation.

4. Governance & Compliance

• Ensure all subsidiaries comply with UAE and KSA regulations.
• Oversee audits, statutory reporting, and internal controls.
• Prepare the organization for IPO readiness, including governance, reporting standards, and regulatory compliance.

5. Investor & Stakeholder Management

• Present financials, valuations, and risk assessments to investors, private equity partners, and potential buyers.
• Lead financial due diligence and reporting for pre-IPO or listing preparation.

Required Qualifications & Experience:

• 10–15+ years in CFO or Group Finance Director roles, preferably in multi-unit F&B, hospitality, or retail.
• Hands-on experience managing cross-border finance operations in UAE + KSA.
• Strong knowledge of corporate tax, transfer pricing, VAT compliance, and intercompany structures.
• Proven track record in designing executive compensation and incentive frameworks.
• Experience with investor relations, PE/strategic investor dealings, or IPO readiness.
• Professional accounting qualification (CPA, ACCA, CA, CMA) preferred.
• Demonstrated experience preparing a company for public listing, including governance, audit readiness, and regulatory compliance.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

• EBITDA growth and margin optimization.
• Tax efficiency and transfer pricing compliance.
• Successful implementation of executive compensation structures.
• Timely and accurate financial reporting across all entities.
• Investor satisfaction and confidence.
• Progress towards IPO readiness, including governance, reporting, and regulatory milestones.