Regional Finance Director

Regional Finance Director – Middle East & Africa (MEA)

About the company

SLR is in the process of growing our footprint around the globe, and as such we are continuously looking for talented people to join our team and who would add value to Our Business.

We are recognised as one of the global leaders in environmental and advisory solutions, helping our clients to achieve their sustainability goals. SLR has over 100 offices in 13 different countries across the world and we actively encourage collaboration and learning between the many disciplines and services we offer globally.

At SLR you can expect a flexible and supportive 'One Team’ culture that sits at the heart of our business and ensures that we offer a rewarding place to work. You will have the opportunity to work alongside industry leaders and specialists on interesting projects and being part of a team that makes a difference.

Role Purpose

The Regional Finance Director (MEA) is responsible for leading the financial management, governance, and performance reporting across the Middle East and Africa region, covering multiple jurisdictions including South Africa, Namibia, Ghana, DRC, UAE (Dubai), and others.

Reporting directly to the EMEA Finance Director, the role plays a key part in delivering a consistent, high-quality finance function across the wider EMEA region. This includes driving alignment of reporting, controls, and processes, while ensuring full compliance with local regulatory requirements.

This is a highly hands-on role, requiring direct involvement in financial reporting, compliance, and operational finance activities across the region. The successful candidate will be expected to operate both strategically and operationally, supporting local teams while maintaining close oversight of key financial deliverables.

Operating in an acquisitive environment, the role will support integration of new businesses, standardisation of finance practices, and the development of a cohesive and high-performing regional finance team.

Key Responsibilities

1. Financial Governance & Compliance

• Ensure full compliance with local statutory, tax, and regulatory requirements across all MEA jurisdictions
• Oversee statutory reporting, audits, and tax filings for regional entities
• Maintain a strong internal control framework aligned to Group standards
• Monitor and mitigate financial and regulatory risks, particularly across higher-risk jurisdictions
• Act as a key liaison with auditors, regulators, and external advisors across the region

2. Financial Reporting & Performance Management

• Deliver accurate, timely, and insightful monthly financial reporting for the MEA region
• Ensure consistency and integrity of financial data across multiple entities and currencies
• Provide clear variance analysis and performance insights to the EMEA Finance Director and Group Finance
• Drive continuous improvement in reporting processes, systems, and data quality
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and long-term planning across the region

3. Regional Alignment & Support to EMEA Finance Director

• Support the EMEA Finance Director in driving consistency of financial processes, controls, and reporting across the wider EMEA region
• Champion standardisation of finance policies and best practices across MEA and alignment with EMEA frameworks
• Contribute to regional finance transformation initiatives and process improvements
• Act as a key member of the broader EMEA finance leadership team

4. Working Capital Management & Cash Control

• Ensure effective working capital management across the MEA region, including oversight of receivables, payables, and cash flow
• Support the EMEA Credit and Billing teams to drive improvements in cash conversion and liquidity management across multiple jurisdictions
• Navigate regional complexities, including exchange control regulations, restricted cash environments, and cross-border fund flows
• Implement robust cash forecasting and monitoring processes to support operational and strategic decision-making
• Partner with local and regional leadership to optimise cash utilisation while ensuring compliance with local regulations

5. Team Leadership & Culture

• Lead, develop, and mentor a geographically dispersed finance team across MEA
• Build a strong sense of team cohesion, collaboration, and shared purpose across jurisdictions
• Promote capability development within local finance teams, strengthening technical and commercial expertise
• Embed a high-performance culture with clear accountability and ownership

6. Integration & Business Support (Acquisitive Environment)

• Support financial due diligence and integration of newly acquired businesses
• Ensure new entities are brought into Group reporting, compliance, and control frameworks efficiently
• Establish scalable finance processes to support ongoing growth
• Partner with regional leadership teams to support strategic and operational decision-making

7. Stakeholder Management

• Act as the primary finance partner to regional business leadership
• Build strong relationships with Group Finance and wider EMEA finance leadership
• Manage relationships with external advisors across multiple jurisdictions
• Communicate financial performance and risks clearly to senior stakeholders

Key Requirements

Experience

• Significant senior finance leadership experience across multiple international jurisdictions
• Experience across Africa and/or Middle East markets strongly preferred
• Strong background in financial compliance, statutory reporting, and audit management
• Experience in acquisitive or high-growth environments, including integration of new entities
• Proven ability to operate in complex, multi-entity, multi-currency environments
• Demonstrated track record of building high-performing finance teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, idea sharing, and continuous improvement across geographically dispersed teams

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
• Extensive post-qualification experience

Skills & Competencies

• Strong technical expertise in financial reporting, tax, and compliance
• Ability to drive consistency and standardisation across diverse geographies
• Strong leadership and team-building capability across distributed teams
• Strong data/excel skills
• Commercial awareness and strategic thinking
• High level of cultural awareness and stakeholder management skills
• Clear and confident communicator, able to engage at senior leadership level

SLR’s approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. We actively encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply. SLR is committed to an organisational culture that recognises, appreciates, and values diversity & inclusion.