Global Finance Manager

Areyouan experienced finance professional who wants a leading role in building a world-class finance function at a global NGO? We look for a financial expert who also has a passion for developing other finance processes and staff in an international setting.**

SPARK is looking for a Global Finance Manager, who will be responsible for active contribution to financial accounting, management accounting, financial consolidation, and compliance with local financial regulations in the Netherlands. Together with the CFO and other senior finance managers, you will be responsible for executing Spark’s strategy and long-term sustainable success. On a day-to-day basis, you will take ownership of the financial system (Exact), design/improve the Finance processes and work with regional finance managers to ensure the integrity of financial numbers.

The Global Finance Manager will report directly to the Chief Financial Officer, who is a member of SPARK’s Board of Directors and responsible for all Finance matters in SPARK. From our office in the heart of Amsterdam, the Global Finance Manager will supervise the financial accounting and budgeting of the Head Office functions, consolidate global budgets, and regularly provide financial reports to management. Global Finance Manager directly manages a 3-member finance team based in Belgrade.

We are looking for somebody with a can-do attitude with a passion for continuously improving financial reports, systems, and processes. A pro-active leader who takes initiative and resolves challenges with flair to guide, coach and mentor colleagues within and outside functions.

Main tasks and responsibilities

Financial management and reporting

• Execute and exercise financial management processes that support Spark’s project management approach.
• Lead the budgeting process for the organization and play a key role in budget consolidation. Work with Regional Finance Managers to ensure the delivery of robust budgets for the organization.
• Lead consolidated entity level reporting to Spark Board of Directors.
• Manage Financial Accounting of Spark HQ and support department expenses with the help of the Finance team based in Belgrade.
• Manage Spark Annual Audit.
• Responsible for compliance and submission of financial reports (VAT or others) to authorities in the Netherlands.
• Managing banking relationships.
• Drive cash flow forecasting process in Spark.

Building best-of-class financial processes

• Refresh and improve Spark Financial Manual
• Support Regional Finance teams to improve cost allocation methodologies
• Work with regional finance teams to improve monthly and quarterly closings
• Lead organization-wide quarterly review of Financial Accounts (Balance Sheet).
• Improve the Finance system (Exact Online) to make financial processes automated.
• Design treasury manual and cash flow forecasting processes.
• Improve budgetary review and management reporting process.

Requirements and competencies

• Eligible to work in the EU.
• Approximately 10 + years of experience in finance management, accounting, and reporting managing of nonprofit/for-profit organizations with a budget of €20 million or more. Non-profit experience is preferred.
• A degree, preferably a Master’s, in the field of financial management or accounting.
• Proven track record and an appetite to train, develop and manage a team
• Experience in consolidating financial results for a global organization and designing financial processes, systems (Exact experience will be a bonus) and manuals.
• Fluency in spoken and written English and Dutch
• Willingness to international travel 3 to 4 times a year (and an opportunity for more travel if preferred)
• Develop and show an attitude of continuous learning and willingness to share this with the organization
• Ability to listen and create a dialogue with your team members. Motivate, support and encourage the team to care for them and achieve results in sometimes complex situations
• Reliable, flexible, and problem-solving person

What SPARK offers

• A challenging and exciting position in an international environment;
• Competitive remuneration range depending on skills and experience
• A contract for 1 year initially, with the possibility to move into a permanent contract.

About SPARK

SPARK develops higher education and entrepreneurship, so that young ambitious people are empowered to lead their conflict-affected society into prosperity. SPARK is a dynamic and growing not-for-profit development organization with 100+ staff members, which supports young entrepreneurs to start or grow their own businesses. SPARK provides displaced youth and women with access to higher education in fragile areas. SPARK specifically focuses its intervention on localization through building the capacities of local partners and stakeholders, green entrepreneurship, digitalization, and women entrepreneurship.