Head of Financial Planning Analysis

Role Purpose

Lead the global Financial Planning & Analysis function across a multi-country MNO operation, providing the Group CFO and executive leadership with accurate forecasting, commercial insight and strategic financial analysis. The role will own global budgeting, forecasting, long-range planning and consolidated management reporting across multiple operating companies, currencies and markets.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the global annual budget, rolling forecast and long-range planning processes across all countries and entities.
• Consolidate country and regional P&Ls into a clear Group financial view, challenging assumptions and ensuring consistency across markets.
• Produce monthly and quarterly CFO, CEO and Board-level performance packs, explaining key variances, risks and opportunities.
• Develop detailed forecasts covering subscriber growth, ARPU, revenue, gross margin, EBITDA, OPEX, CAPEX and cash flow.
• Analyse MVNO commercial KPIs including gross adds, churn, CAC, ARPU, usage, retention, channel performance, SIM/eSIM sales and customer lifetime value.
• Analyse telecom-specific costs including network/wholesale costs, roaming, interconnect, commissions and customer acquisition expenditure.
• Partner with Commercial, Marketing, Technology, Product and Country CEOs/CFOs to improve profitability and financial performance.
• Build financial models and business cases for new market launches, new products, pricing changes, network agreements, eSIM propositions and strategic investments.
• Provide scenario modelling and sensitivity analysis around subscriber volumes, pricing, FX, wholesale rates and market performance.
• Drive profitability analysis by country, product, channel, customer segment and proposition.
• Establish consistent FP&A processes, KPIs and reporting standards across the global organisation.
• Improve forecasting accuracy and identify underperforming markets early, recommending corrective actions.
• Lead automation and enhancement of FP&A reporting through ERP/EPM, Power BI and advanced analytical tools.
• Develop and lead the global FP&A team and finance business-partnering capability.

Candidate Profile

I’d be fairly strict here: 12–15+ years' finance experience with significant FP&A leadership experience, ideally within a global telecom operator, MNO, MVNO or adjacent digital connectivity business. They should have managed multi-country budgeting/consolidation and be comfortable challenging country CEOs/CFOs.

A CA / ACA / ACCA / CIMA / CPA or equivalent qualification would be strongly preferred, alongside advanced financial modelling and experience with SAP/Oracle/Hyperion/Anaplan or similar planning platforms. Current Dubai group-level telecom FP&A hiring specifically values multi-entity planning, consolidation, Board reporting, foreign-currency exposure and enterprise planning systems.