Our client is a prominent, large-scale multi-industry group operating across Real Estate Development, Food Manufacturing, and FMCG sectors. Rapidly expanding its portfolio across regional hubs, the group is seeking a high-caliber, diplomat-minded Group Chief Financial Officer (Group CFO) to lead total financial strategy, group treasury operations, multi-entity fiscal governance, and cross-border risk management while reporting directly to the Group CEO. (Note: Primary base is Baghdad, Iraq (75% of the time) with regular executive travel and presence in Qatar (25%); residency provided).
Key Responsibilities
- Group Treasury, Banking & Cash Management: Direct group-wide treasury, liquidity management, cross-border cash flows, and FX risk mitigation between Iraq and Qatar; build strategic relationships with regional/international banks to secure capital structures and project financing for real estate and manufacturing ventures.
- Strategic Financial Governance & Group Reporting: Partner with the Group CEO and Board on corporate finance, capital allocation, and risk management; oversee multi-entity financial consolidations in compliance with IFRS and local statutory/tax frameworks.
- Budgeting, Forecasting & Profit Optimization: Drive group-wide annual budgeting cycles, rolling forecasts, and long-term financial modeling to optimize liquidity and profitability across all operating subsidiaries.
- ERP Integration & Regulatory Compliance: Oversee and optimize corporate ERP financial modules for real-time reporting and internal control; ensure strict adherence to tax laws, statutory reporting, and AML guidelines across jurisdictions.
- Diplomatic Stakeholder Management & Team Leadership: Leverage exceptional diplomatic awareness and executive communication to align board members, JV partners, and regulatory authorities; mentor multi-site finance and treasury teams.
Key Qualifications
- Experience: Minimum 20 years of progressive financial leadership, with a proven track record as Group CFO, CFO, or Finance VP within large-scale multi-entity conglomerates (Real Estate and/or Food Manufacturing / FMCG).
- Education & Credentials: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance; professional designation (CPA, CMA, ACCA) or MBA is strongly preferred.
- Technical & Interpersonal Expertise: Superior expertise in regional treasury operations, corporate ERP systems, cross-border fiscal oversight (Iraq & Qatar), diplomatic stakeholder management, and high EQ.
- Languages: Native-level command of Arabic is strictly required; fluent executive English required.
- Location & Mobility: Based primarily in Baghdad, Iraq (75%) with executive presence in Qatar (25%) (Middle East region preferred; previous direct experience operating in Iraq is highly recommended).
- Work Logistics: 5 to 6 working days per week; joining timeline as per executive notice period/agreement.