Manager – Financial Planning & Analysis – Aldar Education

Aldar Education is currently seeking Manager – Financial Planning & Analysis to support our growing family of owned and operated schools in the UAE. This is an exciting opportunity to join the highly successful Aldar family of schools and to help shape the future of Abu Dhabi’s leading school group. 

As the leading education group in Abu Dhabi, we provide inclusive and innovative learning that inspires and empowers communities. We offer a range of brands for all learners in our community, from nursery through to adult education.  We offer the broadest choice of curricula. In the largest number of locations in Abu Dhabi.

Starting with one school and 250 students in 2007, Aldar Education has grown into a highly sought after education provider, now supporting over 38,000 students in 31 schools and a growing network of almost 5,000 educators, with over 100 nationalities, offering a wide range of curricula and ancillary services such as a Teacher Training Academy. 

Working collaboratively, our education network’s purpose is to empower the next generation to shape our future, directly supporting the educational goals of Abu Dhabi’s government. Today, Aldar Education’s efforts are guided by the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 plan, which aims to build a sustainable knowledge-based economy through premium educationBeing a member of the procurement team, you will be responsible of ensuring that schools requirements are fulfilled for excellent delivery of education to all our students across all groups of schools.

The incumbent will continuously strive to exceed internal & external customer expectations while embracing the Aldar Education Core Values.

To drive the key financial planning & analysis activities across Aldar Education, supporting Head– FP&A in financial analysis, Budgeting, and Forecasting to support financial decision-making and Stakeholder management.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Main Duties    

• Support Head – FP&A in managing the group’s Financial Planning & Analysis function
• Manage and support the Annual Budgeting and Forecasting Exercise
• Actively manage Budgetary control
• Assist in MIS preparation

Specific Duties    
Budgeting ,Forecasting and Reporting :

• Lead development of Annual Budgets by coordinating with schools
• Lead development of annual budgets by coordinating with respective HQ departments
• Consolidate Income Statement, Balance sheet and Cash flow statement for a complete portfolio.
• Lead annual and 5-year capex plan cycle.
• Lead forecasting exercise and maintain cash flow forecast.
• Assist in Commercial decision-making, feasibility and growth investment initiatives identified by the management.
• Assist in the preparation of School and Group MIS reports

Profit optimisation and performance lead:

• Manage budgetary controls function, help co-ordinate budgetary requirements across schools, functions and on ERP
• Lead internal analysis on existing operations performance and opportunities to maximize performance
• Develop and evolve greater analysis between schools to capture both financial and non-financial metrics
• Ensure the financial reports provide appropriate analytical tools to establish goals and measure the performance of the Business Units..
• Manage all the data sets for timely and accurate financial analysis ensuring robust planning and analysis
• Conduct market research and gather business intelligence to enable decision making
• Work on ad-hoc group reporting requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications    

• Bachelor’s degree in business or finance
• Masters in Finance / Qualified accountant (CA/CPA) preferred

Minimum Experience    

• Minimum 8+ years in finance, 4 years+ in managerial positions
• Strong knowledge of ERP
• Education industry experience desirable
• Strong Financial modelling experience
• Growth and expansion experience desirable

Job Specific Knowledge & Skills

• Fluent English communication skills, written and oral.
• Attention to detail with diligent follow up, and able to execute in a timely manner.
• Advanced excel skills with proven financial modeling experience
• Ability to liaise effectively business functions in order to collect input required for analysis
• Ability to manage a team
• Deadline oriented and take ownership of work
• Excellent analytical capabilities and hands on experience in MS Office presentations
• Capable of influencing people and talented in networking with cultural sensitivity.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.

Aldar Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Offers of appointment are subject to satisfactory references and police clearance.