Associate Business Partner – Financial Planning & Analysis

Responsibilities

• Act as the dedicated FP&A Business Partner for the Academic Division, providing strategic financial insights to the Dean and academic leadership.
• Lead the end-to-end multi-year and annual budgeting processes, including academic programs, research activities, manpower, OPEX, and CAPEX.
• Drive quarterly forecasting and performance reviews, tracking actual spend against budget and highlighting variances or risks.
• Develop multi-year financial plans and scenarios to support research growth, funding sustainability, and strategic resource allocation.
• Partner with the Grant Management team to support grant-related financial planning, monitoring, and reporting.
• Prepare financial analyses, dashboards, and performance metrics to provide actionable insights on cost structures and funding utilization.
• Ensure compliance with institutional policies, grant requirements, and FP&A governance practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, or a related field.
• 7–10 years of progressive experience in financial planning and analysis, budgeting, or business partnering.
• Significant experience working within higher education, research environments, or complex matrix organizations.
• Demonstrated expertise in multi-year budgeting, forecasting, and advanced financial modeling.
• Advanced proficiency in ERP systems, specifically Oracle Fusion, and data analytics tools.
• Proven ability to advise senior stakeholders and translate complex financial data into clear strategic insights.
• Strong understanding of financial governance, internal controls, and budget compliance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Postgraduate qualification such as an MBA, CPA, ACCA, or CFA.
• Experience in UAE higher education or research environments.
• Knowledge of UAE financial policies and procedures.
• Experience applying AI, automation, or advanced analytics within FP&A processes.
• Experience with ERP implementation.

About the Company

Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) is a research-driven institution dedicated to advancing the field of artificial intelligence. Located in Abu Dhabi, the university focuses on fostering innovation and developing world-class expertise in AI to drive societal and economic impact.