Independent Director — Financial Governance of Investment Decisions
United Arab Emirates·Business Services & Diversified·Corporate finance and capital structure· Abu Dhabi·Posted 23 July 2026
Applications close 24 November 2026
Corporate finance and capital structure organisation in United Arab Emirates
The problem this seat exists to solve
Candidates should have substantial group-finance or board experience involving capital allocation, portfolio review and investment performance. They must be comfortable challenging financial models and discussing the operating realities beneath them. A record of decisions across more than one business model is valuable, provided the candidate can explain how they adapted their judgement rather than applying one formula everywhere.
Challenge the economics before capital is committed
The board seeks a director able to examine investment proposals across a diversified operating portfolio and identify the assumptions that determine whether value will be created. The contribution is financial and commercial judgement at board level, including the discipline to ask what management would stop doing to fund a proposed priority.
Review the connection between strategic objectives and capital allocation. Compare proposals on a basis that recognises differences in risk, timing and reversibility, rather than allowing the most persuasive presentation to dominate. Require clarity on operating resources, working capital and follow-on expenditure that may sit outside the initial approval request.
Continue, redirect or stop funding
Support an investment review process that preserves the original decision logic and records material changes. Ask management to define milestones at which further funding depends on evidence. If an investment underperforms, examine whether the issue is execution, an incorrect assumption or a changed market, and require a response appropriate to the cause.
The director should also challenge the continued funding of legacy activities where sunk expenditure distorts judgement. Decisions to pause, reduce or exit investment need the same care as approvals, including consideration of customers, employees, contractual obligations and recoverable value. Independent judgement must remain balanced when different businesses compete for attention and resources.
The director acts collectively with the board and through any agreed investment or audit committee responsibilities. Management remains responsible for proposal development and delivery. Successful contribution will produce clearer investment choices, better-defined approval conditions and timely responses when assumptions no longer hold. Candidates must demonstrate independence, preparation and the willingness to remain engaged with outcomes after a decision is made, including where the original proposal received their support.
Terms
- Where the board sits
- Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Applications close
- 24 November 2026
- Appointment
- Board appointment
- Compensation
- AED 220,000–380,000 per year (indicative annual board fee)
- Time commitment in this market
- PJSC boards typically meet at least six times a year with a general assembly cycle; DIFC and ADGM regulated boards meet quarterly with heavier committee work.
Before you apply — United Arab Emirates
Foreign nationals sit on UAE boards routinely, and the 2021 companies law removed the general Emirati-ownership requirement — but sector rules, Emiratisation expectations and the free-zone regulators' approval processes still shape who can be appointed where.
- Residency test
- No general residency requirement for a PJSC director, but some regulated and strategic sectors carry nationality or residency conditions, and free-zone regulated firms have their own residency expectations for certain controlled functions.
- Nationality test
- Certain strategic sectors retain Emirati ownership and board-composition conditions; check the sector before assuming the general position applies.
- Work authorisation
- A non-resident non-executive director attending board meetings travels on a visit visa. A resident director role, or any controlled function at a DIFC or ADGM firm, typically requires residency and a work permit.
- Tenure limit once appointed
- Board terms run for three years and are renewable. There is no absolute cap, but the SCA guide's independence criteria are applied at each renewal.
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