Head Of Finance - UAE

Overview

A brand-new role based in our recently opened Dubai office. You will be joining at the start; we have ambitious growth plans for the region and high calibre leadership (Partners) already in place. Finance will need to scale to effectively support the business. You will report to the Managing Partner (Dubai) & Finance Director (London).

In addition to the Skills/Experience section below, you must be able to demonstrate:

• Strong operational finance experience from the legal or wider professional services sector.
• Commercial orientation: evidence of strong finance business partnering is essential.
  
  

The Department

Our Finance team continues to go from strength to strength, and we are involved in exciting and innovative initiatives across the firm. Rather than being considered a necessary support function, our Finance department is an integral part of the strategy of the firm, and this is reflected both by the level of investment and how new initiatives are discussed at the most senior level.

The Role

The Head of Finance is a trusted commercial adviser responsible for improving financial performance, strengthening commercial discipline, and supporting strategic decision-making through high-quality insight, challenge, and financial leadership.

Our UAE office was established in 2025 and is growing rapidly. Working closely with senior stakeholders, the role supports the commercial and operational priorities of the UAE office. Through forward-looking analysis, financial planning, and commercially focused advice, the Head of Finance helps drive the achievement of strategic objectives, sustainable growth, and improved business performance.

Duties And Responsibilities

The main duties include, but are not limited to:

• Build strong relationships with stakeholders across the business, acting as a trusted strategic adviser on financial and commercial matters.
• Support strategic planning and decision-making through robust, evidence-based financial analysis and recommendations.
• Challenge and support business leaders to improve commercial performance and operational efficiency.
• Drive greater financial awareness and accountability across the business.
• Lead the annual budgeting process, rolling forecasts, and long-term financial planning for the UAE office.
• Deliver insightful analysis on revenue, profitability, utilisation, realisation, pricing, working capital, and cash generation.
• Identify emerging financial risks and opportunities, recommending timely actions to improve business performance.
• Prepare and present high-quality financial reports, highlighting key trends, risks, opportunities, and recommended actions.
• Develop financial models, business cases, and scenario analyses to support investment, growth, and strategic initiatives.
• Support profitability reviews at client, matter, partner, team, and practice group level.
• Work with stakeholders to improve pricing discipline, matter profitability, and return on investment.
• Act as a bridge between local partners and global finance operations functions in the UK and India to ensure smooth processes for billing, credit control, payroll and AP.
• Coordinate with the global Financial Accounting and Risk & Compliance teams to meet local reporting and regulatory requirements. In particular, supporting local VAT / corporate tax processes and the transition to e-billing.
• Work closely with colleagues across Finance, peers in Business Development and People Team, Technology and other central functions to provide integrated commercial support to the business.
  
  

Skills/Experience

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA) with a minimum of 5 years' post-qualified experience.
• Experience in a Finance Business Partner, Commercial Finance or similar business-facing role.
• Experience operating in the UAE legal market
• Strong commercial acumen and analytical skills, with the ability to identify opportunities to improve performance and profitability.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the confidence to challenge constructively and build credibility at all levels.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience working with large and complex datasets.
• Ability to translate complex financial information into clear insights, practical recommendations, and meaningful business actions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present financial information effectively to both finance and non-finance audiences.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality work to tight deadlines.
• Proactive, collaborative, and solutions-focused approach.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a team environment.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and enhancing the quality of financial insight and business support.
  
  

Desirable

• Experience using Power BI or similar reporting and data visualisation tools.
• Experience supporting pricing strategies and profitability initiatives within a professional services environment.
  
  

Please note that this job profile is not an exhaustive list of duties but merely an outline of the key components of the role. You may be required by your line manager to take on additional responsibilities when requested.

Why Join Us?

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role within a dynamic, ambitious, and growing organisation. You will work closely with senior leaders, influence strategic decision-making, and help shape the commercial success of the firm. In return, you will gain broad exposure to business challenges, develop your commercial expertise, and build a rewarding career in a high-profile finance business partnering role.

About

About The Mishcon de Reya Group

The Mishcon de Reya Group is an independent, international professional services business with law at its heart, employing over 1400 people with over 650 lawyers. It includes the law firm Mishcon de Reya LLP and a collection of leading consultancy businesses that complement the firm's legal services.

Mishcon de Reya LLP is based in London, Oxford, Cambridge, Singapore, Hong Kong and UAE. The firm services an international community of clients and provides advice in situations where the constraints of geography often do not apply.The work the firm undertakes is cross-border, multi-jurisdictional and complex, centred around three increasingly entwined and connected sectors: the Innovation Economy, Private Wealth and Capital, and Real Estate. The firm is known as a disputes powerhouse with a formidable capacity firmwide for dispute resolution.

The Mishcon de Reya Group includes consultancy businesses MDR Discover , MDR Mayfair (in London, Singapore and Dubai), MDR ONE , and MDRi (in Hong Kong). The Group also includes MDR Lab , which invests in the most promising early stage legaltech companies as well as the Mishcon Academy, its in-house place of learning and platform for thought leadership.

In 2024, the Group announced its first strategic acquisition in the alternative legal services market, flexible legal resourcing business Flex Legal. It also acquired a majority stake in Somos, a global group actions management business.

We strive to create a fully diverse and inclusive workplace where all our people are empowered to fulfil their potential. We are proud of our agile working culture and are always happy to talk flexible working.

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