Senior Manager - Finance

Edelman Saudi Arabia is seeking a Finance Lead for the Riyadh office, at Senior Finance Manager Level – reporting to the Regional CFO Middle East with a dotted line to the Commercial Lead Middle East, the Finance Lead plays a pivotal role in supporting the financial health and operational efficiency of the business. This role involves managing day-to-day financial operations, ensuring compliance, preparing reports and forecasts, supporting budgeting processes, and partnering with cross-functional teams to drive strategic decision-making. The Finance Lead serves as a key link between senior management and the wider finance team. Also critical is to ensure we are well connected with our clients and that working capital and cashflow is actively managed.

Overall responsibility

KSA Market

Manage the day-to-day finance and accounting operations, as part of the Middle East and EMEA finance teams.

Financial Planning & Analysis

Support the annual budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning processes.

Perform variance analysis and provide insights to senior stakeholders.

Prepare management reporting packs and dashboards for internal review.

Financial Operations & Controls

Oversee general accounting functions, including accounts payable, receivable, and reconciliations.

Ensure compliance with internal financial policies, controls, and procedures.

Liaise with external auditors and ensure smooth execution of audits.

Cashflow and working capital management

Monitor cashflow and working capital requirements.

Positively influence cashflow by attending client offices, building relationships and regularly discussing status of approvals and payments as necessary.

Coordinate banking relationships and payment cycles.

Business Partnering

Work in partnership with Commercial team and with client leads to accurately price out projects per resource plan, to reach minimum contribution margin levels.

Review client contracts and identify potential issues for discussion with client team and legal team.

Be part of the team that recommends pricing strategies appropriate to the client deliverables and in line with agency financial objectives.

Prepare for and take part in client and procurement negotiations to build relationships and agree mutually acceptable terms. Where negotiations require more senior finance support, call out and secure support.

Translate financial data into actionable insights for non-finance stakeholders.

Client and project management

Know the client base and the client’s procurement policy. Build healthy relationships with client procurement teams.

Identify issues on contribution margin and propose solutions, calling for additional senior support where necessary.

Collaborate with COO and Director of Operations who lead Resource Management to drive appropriate deployment of our teams to both meet client needs, retain and develop our client-facing team members, and operate at healthy profit margins.

RHQ Compliance & Incentive Realization

Manage financial reporting requirements linked to the RHQ license, ensuring full compliance with GAZT/ZATCA and MISA obligations.

Maintain accurate documentation to support RHQ benefits, including headcount, spend thresholds, and activity-based reporting.

Liaise with external advisors and government entities to ensure timely submissions and renewals related to RHQ compliance.

Support leadership in maximizing RHQ-related financial incentives, including tax benefits, fee reductions, and operational privileges.

Play a key part in the internal team to monitor and report back on RHQ including providing status updates to key stakeholders, highlighting risks on a timely basis and recommending solutions.

Taxation

Manage all tax-related matters including provision and compliance process and ensure all tax reporting is made in accordance with statutory requirements e.g GST, withholding taxes and corporate income tax, etc.

Liaise with ZATCA and tax office where necessary, with the support of EMEA regional tax team.

Communicate to global/regional on changes in local tax laws and implications thereof.

Leadership and team management

Help build a strong and motivated finance team in KSA who closely collaborate with the broader Middle East and EMEA finance teams.

Proactively identify/address, understand and handle tough/challenging conversations.

Comfortable engaging with all levels of the agency and client organizations, building strong partnership.

Works at pace, stays under control and knows how to prioritise.

Excited by new ideas, bringing thoughtful suggestions to the table, daring to speak up.

Eager to learn and grow, and to help champion others do the same.

Motivated by bringing calm to chaos.

Helping to navigate complex and fluid engagements in a measured and positive manner.

Curious about what we do for our clients and how that changes over time.

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

1. Professional accounting qualification (ACCA, CPA, CMA, or equivalent) preferred

2. 8-10 years of experience in finance, with ideally at least 2–3 years in the PR, media, or marketing services sector

3. Strong understanding of Saudi financial regulations, zakat/VAT, and agency billing models

4. Experience with the KSA RHQ program and familiarity with its operational, financial, and compliance aspects is highly preferred

5. Proficiency in ERP systems (e.g. Oracle, Workday) and advanced Excel skills

6. Fluent in English and Arabic

7. Strong commercial mindset and financial planning capabilities

8. Deep understanding of RHQ frameworks and government relations in KSA

9. High attention to detail and accountability

10. Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills

11. Ability to operate independently while aligning with regional strategies

12. Agility to navigate a fast-paced, client-driven environment