About the Role

This role will be part of Zain Bahrain's Subsidiary Fintech Company - "Bede"

Bede, the fintech arm of Zain Bahrain, is a dynamic startup revolutionizing personal finance through Bahrain’s first Shariah-compliant Islamic financing app. Licensed and regulated by the Central Bank of Bahrain, Bede is committed to creating an inclusive platform that offers practical solutions tailored to real customer needs.

With a focus on customer centricity, strategic partnerships, and digital innovation, Bede aims to guide individuals toward growth and success by leveling the playing field for all. Bede

The Finance Manager will be overall responsible for the strategic planning, implementation, management, and running of all finance activities for Bede, including business planning, budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and financial operations, as well as providing commercial insight and recommendations across the business to achieve business plan targets. The role covers Bede’s full product portfolio — including microfinance, credit cards, remittances, and future products such as insurance, investment, and wallet services — reporting jointly to the Bede CEO and the Zain Bahrain CFO.

The role is accountable for sound financial management, regulatory compliance with Central Bank of Bahrain requirements, and providing data-driven insight to support business decision-making. Working closely with Business, Technology, and Operations teams, the Finance Manager will evaluate product-level financial performance, optimize costs, assess technology and app investment opportunities, and support the growth of Bede’s finance function as the business scales.

What We Need From You

• BSc/BA in Accounting, Finance, or a relevant field; a professional accounting qualification (CA, CPA, ACCA, or CMA) is required.

• 6+ years of progressive experience in finance, financial planning & analysis, or a related field, ideally within fintech, banking, or financial services.

• Proven track record in budgeting, financial performance review, and cost management within a fast-paced or growth-stage business.

• Experience working with or alongside product teams to assess financial viability of new products or features is a strong advantage.

• Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB) regulatory reporting experience and exposure to ERP system integrations are strong advantages.

Responsibilities

1. Financial Management & Controls

• Manage all financial aspects of Bede, including budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, and reporting.

• Develop and implement financial policies, procedures, and controls to ensure proper financial management and compliance with regulatory requirements.

• Lead the annual and monthly budgeting process, working with the Director of Business and product/function leads to build realistic, achievable financial plans.

• Conduct regular business performance reviews, tracking actual results against budget across all products and functions, and reporting variances with clear commentary.

2. Strategic Planning & Commercial Insight

• Collaborate with the senior management team to develop and implement Bede’s financial strategies and long-term financial plans.

• Provide financial insights and recommendations to support business decision-making and drive the company’s growth and profitability.

• Provide financial forecasts and scenario analysis to support strategic decision-making by the CEO and Zain Bahrain CFO.

3. Product-Level Financial Oversight

• Own the financial analysis and performance tracking of Bede’s product portfolio, including current products - micro finance, credit cards, and remittances - and future products as they launch, including insurance, investment options, wallet services, and other financial products.

• Build and maintain product-level financial models to assess profitability, cost-to-serve, and revenue contribution for each product line.

• Work with the Director of Business and product teams to evaluate the financial viability of new product launches and enhancements before go-to-market.

4. Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and guidelines set by the Central Bank of Bahrain.

• Stay updated on regulatory changes and communicate updates to the management team.

• Prepare and submit financial reports and statements to regulatory authorities as required.

5. Financial Reporting

• Oversee the preparation and presentation of accurate and timely financial reports, including income statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements, and other financial performance indicators.

• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports for the Bede CEO and Zain Bahrain CFO, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and timeliness.

• Provide financial analysis and insights to support management decision-making.

6. Risk Management

• Identify and analyze financial risks and implement appropriate risk mitigation strategies.

• Develop and monitor key financial metrics and indicators to assess the company’s financial health and identify potential risks and opportunities.

7. Expense Optimization & Technology Investment Evaluation

• Review and analyze Bede’s operating expenses on an ongoing basis, identifying opportunities for cost optimization without compromising business growth or customer experience.

• Assess the financial business case for Bede app technology investments, including new features, infrastructure upgrades, and platform enhancements, with clear ROI tracking post-implementation.

• Partner with department heads to instill financial discipline and ensure spending remains aligned with approved budgets.

8. Data Analysis & Financial Insight

• Use data analysis to identify trends, risks, and opportunities across Bede’s financial and operational performance.

• Develop financial dashboards and reporting tools that give management clear, timely visibility into business performance.

• Translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insights for non-financial stakeholders across the business.

9. Team Leadership

• Lead and manage the finance team as it is built out over time, including hiring, training, performance management, and professional development.

• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement within the finance function.

10. Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including the Central Bank of Bahrain, internal and external auditors, tax authorities, and other regulatory bodies.

• Act as the primary financial point of contact between Bede and the Zain Bahrain CFO’s office, ensuring alignment on reporting standards and financial governance.

• Represent the company in financial matters and participate in industry forums and events as required.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including persons with disabilities and those who may require reasonable accommodations to perform their duties. We are committed to maintaining an inclusive workplace and to ensuring that all employees are supported to succeed.