Finance Business Partner

The Opportunity

The Financial Resources Department is seeking a Finance Business Partner who will provide management accounting support, financial analysis, and strategic advice to Zayed University’s Colleges, Departments, and Centers. The Finance Business Partner acts as a trusted advisor, translating complex financial data into clear insights for non-finance stakeholders. And ensuring alignment of financial resources with institutional priorities and promoting informed decision-making in accordance with internal financial policies and leading practices.

The role requires a qualified accountant with higher education finance experience, excellent influencing skills, and advanced ERP (Oracle Fusion, Banner) and Excel skills. The post holder will be responsible for producing monthly management accounts, supporting budget planning and monitoring, and ensuring senior leaders are equipped with clear financial insights. Ministry of Finance reporting experience and Oracle EPM knowledge are a bonus.

The role requires a proactive individual who can start immediately and operate with professionalism, discretion, and accuracy in a complex higher education environment.

The Responsibilities

• Partner with Deans, Directors, and senior leaders to provide financial analysis, insights, and recommendations.
• Act as a liaison between the Financial Resources department and the concerned functions to ensure clear communication, alignment on financial policies, and shared understanding of budget expectations and financial outcomes.
• Lead the preparation of monthly management accounts, including variance analysis and commentary.
• Support Colleges, Departments, and Centers in preparing and monitoring budgets, ensuring alignment with institutional objectives.
• Review financial performance with budget holders, explaining risks, opportunities, and variances in clear, non-technical terms.
• Monitor budget execution and advise departments on spending patterns, budget variances, and re-allocation needs to ensure effective financial management and alignment with institutional objectives.
• Maintain and enhance financial reporting tools, models, and dashboards in Excel and ERP systems (Oracle Fusion, Banner).
• Work in close liaison with the Financial planning & Analysis to ensure consistency of analysis, reporting, and delivery of financial planning activities.
• Coordinate with Finance colleagues to ensure the accuracy of accounting entries across AP, Payroll, Revenue, and GL.
• Prepare and submit monthly and ad hoc financial reports to the Ministry of Finance; support MoF budget cycle in Oracle Hyperion/EPM (advantage).
• Support the Finance Director with evolving priorities, projects, and institutional initiatives.
• Drive continuous improvement in financial processes, reporting, and stakeholder engagement.
• Ensure compliance with financial policies, internal controls, and relevant regulations in all budgetary and expenditure decisions.
• Participate in strategic planning discussions to provide financial input regarding institutional priorities, sustainability, and growth opportunities.

The Requirements

• Must possess a bachelors degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field and a minimum of 4 years relevant experience in management accounting experience, including monthly accounts and budget management or an equivalent combination of education, skill or experience.
• Additionally a recognized professional accounting qualification (e.g., ACCA, CPA, CA, CIMA) is required. 

Other Essential Requirements:

• Excellent ERP skills (Oracle Fusion and Banner required; Oracle EPM an advantage).
• Strong communication and influencing skills, with proven ability to convey financial information clearly to non-finance audiences.
• Fluency in Arabic & English
• Ability to travel between Abu Dhabi and Dubai

Desired Or Preferred Requirements:

• Experience in higher education finance strongly preferred.
• Advanced Excel skills (data analysis, modeling, pivot tables, and complex formulas).
• Experience with UAE Ministry of Finance reporting is a bonus.

The Benefits

The University’s benefits package is highly attractive, with competitive salaries free of tax in the U.A.E., Cash housing, annual vacation airline tickets for the employee and immediate family, educational subsidies for children, and healthcare is provided to the employee and sponsored family members.  
 

While we appreciate all applications, you will be contacted only if you are selected for an interview.

For any inquires or issues, please contact Recruitment@zu.ac.ae