Finance Director

VP of Finance | We are seeking a seasoned finance leader with strong "Startup Experience" and proven exposure to scaling fast-moving businesses. We are seeking a commercially sharp and operationally minded VP Finance / Head of Finance to lead the transformation of our finance function. This is not a traditional CFO role. We need a builder, someone who has redesigned how a finance team works before; who understands both the numbers and the systems behind them, and who can turn a 10-person, process-heavy team into a lean, technology-enabled unit. Reporting directly to the CEO, you will own the full finance function with a clear mandate: automate, systematise, and restructure, freeing the business from manual, transactional bottlenecks and reinvesting those savings into growth. You will also bring deep commercial understanding of a transaction-heavy, digital-first, B2B/B2C business model. At Bamboo Card, finance should be a strategic partner to the business, not a back-office cost centre. This is your opportunity to build that function from scratch, your way Qualifications: CPA, ACCA, CMA, or MBA (Finance) — at least one professional qualification is essential. Degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related discipline. Experience: 10–15 years in finance, with at least 4 years in a senior finance leadership role. Demonstrable track record of leading a finance transformation, designing and deploying systems, not inheriting them. Experience in a high-transaction digital business: fintech, payments, e-commerce, digital distribution, SaaS, or a similar model is strongly preferred. Has worked in companies of 50–500 employees and understands the dynamics and pace of a lean, high-growth business. GCC/UAE experience is a significant advantage, knowledge of local tax, VAT, Corporate Tax, and banking environments is important. Experience working in a B2B business with API-driven revenue streams or platform economics is a meaningful plus. Systems & Technology: Hands-on implementation experience with a modern ERP (NetSuite, SAP Business One, Microsoft Dynamics 365, or Oracle Fusion). Experience with AP/AR automation platforms (Tipalti, Bill.com, Basware, or similar). Familiarity with close automation tools (BlackLine, FloQast, Trintech, or similar). Experience with modern FP&A platforms (Pigment, Cube, Mosaic, Anaplan, or similar). Proficiency in BI and reporting tools (Power BI, Tableau, Looker, or similar). Strong Excel skills as a baseline, but the mindset to replace it where it creates bottlenecks. KEY COMPETENCIES & ATTRIBUTES - COMPETENCY WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR: Process-first mindset First instinct when something is slow is to fix the system, not hire a person. Builder mentality Has created SOPs, built workflows, and left clean, documented systems behind. Digital business acumen Understands transaction economics, API-driven revenue, and margin dynamics in a digital platform business. Change management Can lead a team through restructuring with clarity, empathy, and authority. Tech fluency Evaluates, selects, and deploys software. Doesn't just use what's already there. CEO-level communication Translates complex financials into decision-ready narratives for a non-finance CEO. Ownership & urgency Treats the business as their own. Moves fast without cutting corners. Multi-currency thinking Comfortable managing FX risk and treasury in a multi- country, multi-currency business Finance Transformation & Automation: Lead an end-to-end audit of the current finance function — workflows, tools, headcount, and output quality, within your first 60 days. Design and implement a target operating model that replaces manual, repetitive tasks with automated systems and intelligent workflows. Select, implement, and embed the right ERP and finance automation stack suited to a high- transaction digital distribution business. Reduce month-end close cycle to under 5 business days within 12 months. Build self-serve financial reporting dashboards so the CEO and commercial teams own their data without routing every request through finance. Commercial Finance & FP&A Own budgeting, forecasting, and reforecasting — moving it from spreadsheets to a dedicated FP&A platform. Deliver monthly P&L, cash flow, and balance sheet reporting with forward-looking commentary relevant to a digital gifting business. Develop financial models specific to Bamboo Card's business: transaction economics, margin per brand, API revenue contribution, client cohort profitability, and working capital dynamics. Partner directly with the CEO to provide commercial insight that supports pricing decisions, new market entry, brand negotiations, and platform investment. Monitor and report on KPIs that matter: transaction volume, gross margin by product and region, client acquisition cost, and revenue concentration risk. Accounting, Controls & UAE Compliance Ensure accurate and timely statutory reporting in compliance with UAE regulations including Corporate Tax, VAT, and any applicable free zone or mainland requirements. Manage relationships with external auditors, UAE banks, and regulatory authorities. Design and embed a robust internal controls framework as the team restructures, with particular attention to prepaid product float management and reconciliation. Oversee treasury and cash management, including payment runs to brand partners, FX exposure management (multi-currency business), and bank facility management. Ensure financial processes support the company's API-driven, high-volume transaction model with appropriate controls and audit trails. Team Leadership & Restructuring: Assess the skills and capacity of the existing 10-person finance team within the first 60 days. Define the target team structure post-automation and create a clear, people-first transition plan. Retain and retrain the right people — elevating them from transactional roles into analytical, business-partnering functions. Build a finance culture grounded in process ownership, continuous improvement, and commercial curiosity. A direct line to the CEO with a real mandate to transform, not just manage. The opportunity to own and redesign a finance function in a fast-growing, globally operating digital platform. A high-growth environment where your decisions will have immediate and visible commercial impact. Competitive salary and benefits package aligned to the UAE senior leadership market (visa, health insurance, and additional benefits). A diverse, entrepreneurial team that moves fast and values people who take ownership. The chance to be part of Bamboo Card's next chapter as we scale our brand catalogue, grow our API client base, and expand across new markets.