Chief Financial Officer KSA & Central Asia

Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

In fast changing markets, customers worldwide rely on Thales. Thales is a business where brilliant people from all over the world come together to share ideas and inspire each other. In aerospace, transportation, defence, security and space, our architects design innovative solutions that make our tomorrow's possible.

We have been present in Saudi Arabia for 40 years and with over 600 employees to date, we are growing rapidly. Together we are delivering our signalling, control and train protection systems for the North –South Railway (NSR), the longest system of it’s kind in the world. Together we are key suppliers of In-flight entertainment and connectivity systems as well as air traffic management solutions in Saudi. We are making Saudi Arabia a safer place by securing the country’s critical infrastructure and e-security solutions that secure the country’s electronic payment systems. Thales has been selected to supply major electronic systems for air defence and the Group also supplied communication and optronic systems for the Army, the Saudi Arabia National Guards and the Air Force.

JOB OBJECTIVE

Supported by around roughly 300 employees and contractors, Thales activities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia & Central Asia generates directly around 100 M€ of annual turnover, roughly equally splitted between civilian (at mid teen EBIT margin) and military activities (at a distributor EBIT margin). Indirectly, Thales is a minority shareholder in STES, a joint-venture with Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI), whose revenue is around 100 M€. In addition, the KSA and Central Asia Region attracts today roughly half a billion M€ of order intakes by destination for the Thales Group.

The aim of this Region (KSA and Central Asia) is in the medium-term to double the amount of Order intakes by destination in a recurring manner and to increase accordingly its employee footprint, by localizing manufacturing and engineering competencies with an appropriate Saudization rate.

Responsibilities

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The purpose of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia & Central Asia Chief Financial Officer (KSA & CA CFO) is to:

• Manage the optimization of financial performance at the Country and reporting to the Global Business Units (GBU);
• Support in all financial aspects the expected ramp-up of Thales activities, be they conducted by 100% owned-subsidiaries or by STES;
• Coordinate management control, accounting, and risk management activities;
• Contribute to the management of treasury and financial engineering, taxation, insurance and its scope;
• Act so that the economic and financial dimension is taken into account in all strategic and operational decisions, with the aim of creating value in conjunction with the GBUs;
• Roll out the Group's financial policy within the Country.
  
  
  

The main missions of the KSA & CA CFO are to:

• Manage financial management according to local specificities (tax, accounting standards and price control, etc.);
• Manage the relationship with SAMI financial executives.
• Monitor closely and provide guidance to finance professionals involved in the STES JV, whose long-term ramp-up encompasses both industrial and project activities, in close coordination with concerned Thales units based in Europe
• Guarantee the production of reliable, regular and sincere annual accounts and periodic statements vis-à-vis the local administration;
• Establish budgets and analyze the achievement of objectives;
• Ensure cash flow management and forecasts;
• Maintain relationships with administrations, auditors and other local stakeholders;
• Decline Group Finance transformation actions;
• Ensure the management and HR development of financial teams in conjunction with Group/local HR;
• Guarantee compliance with the provisions of the Code of Ethics and the Code of Conduct within the framework of the above-devolved missions.
  
  
  

Responsibility exercised and latitude of action:

• Manage the optimization of financial performance at the Country level and reporting to the GBUs;
• Coordinate management control, accounting, and risk management activities;
• Contribute to the management of treasury and financial engineering, taxation, insurance and its scope;
• Act so that the economic and financial dimension is taken into account in all strategic and operational decisions, with the aim of creating value in conjunction with the VP KSA and Central Asia/GBUs;
• Roll out the Group's financial policy within the Country.
  
  
  

Working relations/ Internal and external contacts:

• Reporting to the CFO of the MEAKSA Region and to the VP KSA and Central Asia;
• Member of the management committee of the Country;
• Management and coordination of financial aspects at the Country level in all Business dimensions of the Business Lines (BL) and privileged contact for the Group Finance function;
• Interaction with all Country / legal entity functions. He is a member of the Country Management Committee (CODIR);
• Decline at the Country level, the strategic orientations and means defined by the GBUs, as well as anticipate the financial impacts of changes in the Country / legal entity environment.
• Direct management of a diverse team of 9 finance professionals.
  
  
  

Work Experience Requirements

Professional knowledge and experience

• Highly specialized professional knowledge in all the different disciplines of finance (Management Control, Accounting, Treasury, etc.).
• In-depth knowledge of the rules issued in terms of preventing corruption and influence peddling.
• Experience working in a multinational environment is preferred
  
  
  

Requirements

QUALIFICATION, CERTIFICATION & EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Proven experience in strategic financial planning, financial reporting, and management within a corporate environment, preferably in a similar industry.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in finance, accounting, or financial management, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field is required.
• Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) or a related field is highly preferred.
  
  
  

Preferred Skills

• Strong understanding of financial regulations, accounting standards, and tax laws.
• In-depth knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, and reporting.
• Proficiency in financial software and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, manage, and mentor finance teams.
• Strong track record of developing and executing financial strategies to drive organizational growth and profitability.
• Exceptional problem-solving and decision-making skills.
  
  
  

Hse Responsibilities

• Ensure both your own safety and the safety of others at all times.
• Maintain an active role in achieving the objectives and adhering to the HSE Thales Policy
• Comply with local HSE laws and legislation.
• To use safety equipment (including PPE) as required and intended.
• Lead by example and actively encourage departments to look at ways to conserve water & energy, minimise the generation of waste, and encourage recycling.
• Every one within Thales has the right to stop work if they believe that their activities may affect their health and safety or that of others. In this circumstance, such conditions must be reported immediately to their line manager and the HSE department.
  
  
  

At Thales we provide CAREERS and not only jobs. With Thales employing 80,000 employees in 68 countries our mobility policy enables thousands of employees each year to develop their careers at home and abroad, in their existing areas of expertise or by branching out into new fields. Together we believe that embracing flexibility is a smarter way of working. Great journeys start here, apply now!