European Finance Director

Competitive salary + excellent benefits package
Our client is an internationally operating, private equity-backed organisation specialising in technical services and complex, project-driven activities. The company has a strong international presence and is entering a new phase of growth, professionalisation and European expansion.
As part of this growth strategy, the group has recently acquired a European business specialising in the delivery and technical support of large-scale infrastructure projects. The acquisition presents significant opportunities for further international development, while also requiring the strengthening of the Finance function, further integration and the professionalisation of processes and reporting.
For this next phase, we are seeking a European Finance Director to further develop the European Finance function and play a key role in supporting the organisation’s growth ambitions.
The European Finance Director will be responsible for building, professionalising and integrating the European Finance function within the international group. You will establish a solid financial foundation, strengthen the quality of reporting, control and compliance, and drive further harmonisation of systems, processes and governance.
The existing Finance function has a relatively limited internal infrastructure and relies heavily on external service providers, both domestically and internationally. The key challenge is to progressively bring financial processes in-house, establish reliable project and management information, and develop Finance into a fully fledged business partner to the European management team.
Combining strategic financial leadership with a hands-on approach, you will play a central role in the organisation’s continued professionalisation and international growth. Over time, the position offers the opportunity to expand financial responsibility across a broader European organisation.
Build and professionalise the European Finance function, integrating financial processes, systems, accounting principles and governance within the international group;
Establish a reliable and timely monthly closing process, targeting reporting by the second working day of each month and a preliminary earnings estimate on the final working day of the reporting period;
Implement consistent accounting principles, a standardised chart of accounts and IFRS-compliant revenue recognition, including reliable EBITDA reporting and appropriate substantiation of adjustments;
Develop and implement project-based revenue and profit recognition using percentage-of-completion principles, providing clear visibility of realised margins, costs to complete, work in progress, unbilled revenue and contractual retentions;
Ensure tax and legal compliance across multiple European jurisdictions, including VAT, payroll taxes, permanent establishment considerations, transfer pricing and relevant local statutory requirements. Identify and resolve existing compliance risks;
Implement a weekly updated, rolling 13-week cash flow forecast and strengthen cash management, working capital management and visibility of foreign exchange exposures;
Develop and implement effective financial and IT-related internal controls aligned with international governance and reporting requirements;
Progressively bring financial administration, management reporting and accounting processes in-house, while retaining external specialist support where required;
Lead the post-acquisition financial integration in close collaboration with Group Finance, Operations and external advisers;
Develop reliable forecasts for the project portfolio, EBITDA and net working capital, and provide financial advice on tenders, pricing, project profitability and resource allocation;
Develop internal Finance capabilities, further build the team and establish a scalable, future-proof Finance organisation;
Act as the primary financial point of contact for the European management team, international group management and relevant supervisory bodies.

We are seeking an entrepreneurial, analytically strong and hands-on European Finance Director with proven experience in building and professionalising Finance functions within an international, project-driven environment.
The ideal candidate combines a strong accounting and financial control background with experience in international compliance, financial integration and commercial business partnering. You are comfortable taking ownership in organisations where structures and processes are not yet fully developed and can translate complex financial challenges into practical, effective solutions.
Degree in Finance, Accounting or a related discipline, together with a relevant professional qualification, preferably RA, ACA or ACCA;
Demonstrable experience in project accounting, project control, percentage-of-completion accounting and revenue recognition within project- or contract-driven organisations;
International experience in financial reporting and compliance across multiple European jurisdictions, including cross-border VAT and taxation matters;
Proven experience in building, professionalising or transforming a Finance function with limited existing infrastructure;
Strong knowledge of IFRS and international financial reporting standards;
Experience in technical services, project-driven businesses or internationally operating service organisations is a distinct advantage;
Experience in financial systems implementation, migration and process optimisation;
A background within a Big Four firm would be advantageous;
Excellent command of English is essential; proficiency in Dutch is highly desirable;
Based in the Netherlands and legally entitled to work in the Netherlands.
Entrepreneurial, self-reliant and results-oriented, with a strong sense of ownership and accountability;
Strategically minded and analytically strong, while remaining pragmatic and operationally involved;
Able to establish structure, clarity and control within a complex international environment;
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage confidently and credibly with senior executives, management teams and external stakeholders;
Flexible and effective in a dynamic organisation where growth, integration and transformation are taking place simultaneously.

If you are interested in this vacancy, we invite you to apply directly via the “Apply” button, stating: the reference number . Unfortunately, we cannot provide any further substantive information about the vacancy in advance as it is extremely confidential.
For general questions or information about our working method, please contact the colleague below.
+31 (0)20 442 112 8