Senior Financial Analyst

Headquartered in Dubai, UAE, The First Group is a dynamic, integrated global property developer with a fast-growing portfolio of upscale hotels, residential properties, F&B brands and real estate asset management services. Since our launch in 2005, we have carved a highly successful niche offering unrivalled property investment opportunities in high-growth markets to clients from more than 70 countries worldwide.

We were among the first developers to identify the tremendous potential in providing private investors the opportunity to purchase hotel guestrooms, suites and serviced apartments in our collection of upscale properties located in highly popular locations across Dubai. We back up our success with a list of International Property awards along with strategic partnerships with companies such as Wyndham Hotel group, Millennium Hotels, Emirates Airlines and Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts.

To successful candidates, we offer a diverse progressive corporate working environment with clear growth potential along with award winning sales & marketing tools, a state of the art showroom featuring Dubai’s only virtual helicopter tour and endorsements from a number of international sporting celebrities

The Senior Financial Analyst plays a critical role in the company's financial planning, analysis, and corporate finance functions. This position is pivotal in driving financial performance and supporting strategic initiatives across the organization, with a focus on forecasting, budgeting, financial modelling, and capital allocation. The Senior Financial Analyst will collaborate closely with the CFO, Vice President of Corporate Finance, and FP&A lead to provide actionable insights that enhance decision-making and contribute to the company's long-term financial goals.

This position reports directly to the Vice President of Corporate Finance and works closely with the Group CFO and FP&A lead.

Corporate Finance

• • Conduct financial due diligence, feasibility studies, and valuation analyses for potential transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, and other investment opportunities.
  • Monitor and analyze the company's capital structure, including debt, equity, and liquidity management, to ensure optimal financial stability.
  • Assist in the preparation of materials for board meetings, investor presentations, and other strategic communications.
  • Develop and maintain complex financial models that support capital allocation, business planning, scenario analysis, and strategic decision-making.
  • Participate in the development of long-term financial forecasts and strategic plans, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives.

Financial Planning and Analysis

• • Assist in the annual budgeting process, including the development of financial forecasts and the creation of detailed budget plans.
  • Analyse financial results against forecasts, providing variance analysis and identifying key drivers of performance.
  • Provide insights and recommendations on business performance, cost optimization, and growth opportunities to drive profitability.
  • Support various divisions and strategic initiatives by providing financial insights and ensuring alignment with overall financial goals.

Performance and Data Analysis

• • Monitor and recommend key performance indicators that align with the company’s strategic goals with a comparison to peers.
  • Prepare monthly reports, dashboards, and analysis to internal stakeholders, ensuring clarity and actionable insights.
  • Develop and execute Python/R for linear/logistic regression, advanced statistical forecasting, Monte Carlo simulations and decision‑tree models; integrate outputs seamlessly into Excel, Power BI and Dynamics 365 dashboards.

DESIRED SKILLS & EXPERTISE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a quantitative field. Professional credentials such as ACA, ACCA, or CFA certification are preferred.
• 3+ years of experience in financial due diligence, financial planning and analysis, corporate finance, or an analytics role where you built forecasting or valuation models that informed commercial decisions.
• Experience in the real estate development or hospitality industry is highly preferred.
• Strong analytical skills with expertise in financial modeling, forecasting, and budgeting.
• Familiarity with IFRS accounting standards is advantageous but not mandatory for this role.
• Advanced Excel (including Power Query) plus practical experience automating or extending models with Python/R; ability to link analytics outputs into Power BI and D365 data sources.
• Advanced knowledge of PowerPoint and data visualization tools such as Power BI.
• Hands‑on coding in Python or R for predictive analytics (regression, time‑series, Monte Carlo, tree-based models) and experience calling/returning results inside Excel (Python‑in‑Excel, etc.)
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex financial data into actionable insights for various stakeholders.
• High attention to detail, with strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Strategic thinker with a proactive approach to problem-solving and a results-oriented mindset.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and in a fast-paced environment.
• Innovative and forward-thinking, with a focus on continuous improvement and efficiency.