CFO

The organisation

We are seeking a hands on Chief Financial Officer (Potential CFO) for a dynamic startup. The CFO will help navigate through the next stage of scale from a financial and operational point of view. In the period, the company will need to raise additional growth capital and the CFO will play a pivotal role in this. Within 5 yrs from now they expect to reach significant revenue levels and several offices across Europe.

The company offers AI Enabling Sovereign-Hybrid Cloud Solutions that combines the privacy of a private cloud in Europe with the convenience, scale and reach of the global HyperScalers into a truly European-Native and sovereign-hybrid platform. Leveraging all NVIDIA technologies, the company Cloud enables AI development and operations on the latest technologies. From Generative AI to Digital Twins and Omniverse simulations, the company empowers European organizations to harness the power of AI securely and efficiently.

Their office in Amsterdam has around 10 employees and is growing rapidly. This company is backed by top tier Dutch IT Investors. The company just raised sufficient funding to enable the current growth but is actively seeking additional funding to scale and accelerate its business (several funding rounds as well as subsidies will be needed in the coming years).

Why will you love this company?

• Market Leadership: they are creating a new category in a new market, with an ambition to be a thought leader in their field.
• Technology: unique technology potential that is competitive. Challenging and fast-paced working environment of talented and results-oriented people.
• Team: the team is used to working in highly demanding international settings and can make use of an network in the IT space.
• Strategic Options: you will be at the forefront of fundraising and financing (Debt) in the short-term, and in the medium-term funding.

The position

You will be most of the time focused on supporting the business by providing financial reports and business cases. This includes business and project reporting, CapEx investment decisions as well as financial support in tenders. Next to that you will be responsible for handling day-to-day finance operations as well as maintaining compliance with local and international compliance.

Because of the expected growth of the company in the coming period the CFO must be able to not only professionalize the finance function. You are hands’ on, results-oriented with a focus on controlling (finance) and fundraising, and can be a strategic sparring partner to the rest of the Management Team but also provide support to the rest of the staff. Besides this you are also responsible for Legal and Risk & Compliance. So, in this position you must be able to add substantial value from a ‘business partner’ and ‘shareholder’ perspective.

You must be comfortable to present the company towards new investors, banks/lenders, shareholders, regulatory stakeholders , etc. It is a ‘high impact’ position in an international environment. We are looking for a next level CFO (high potential 2.0) that feels comfortable (proven track record) to be one of the main leaders in managing strategic growth.

Tasks & responsibilities

• You support the Board of Directors with monthly, quarterly and ad-hoc financial reporting and analyses;
• You will set-up and maintain financial client reporting and project reporting;
• You will set-up and maintain financial CapEx reporting and investment reports;
• As a business partner to the CEO, the CFO will assess organizational performance against both the prior year results, the rolling forecast, and the company’s medium/long-term strategy;
• Is a prominent (leading) voice in investor relations and communications to the Board. Managing Investor Relations: provide monthly, quarterly, and ad hoc insight in key metrics, analysis, and reporting to the board, ensuring a high degree of quality, timeliness, accuracy, and business insight;
• Develops presentations and effectively represents the company to analysts and investors. Leading in raising additional capital and debt on appropriate terms to enable the company to meet sales, growth, and market share objectives;
• Develops tools, models and systems to provide critical financial and operational information to the CEO and the Management Team and makes actionable recommendations on both strategy and operations;
• Advises the CEO on business development and strategic planning;
• Reviews and approves Board reporting packages, quarterly and annual Shareholder reports:
• Build up, hiring, develop, lead, coach and inspire the staff of the Finance Team;
• Ensures maintenance of appropriate internal controls and financial procedures for the company;
• Responsible for all the hands on financial operations of the company (including accounts payable/receivable, payroll, financial reporting, budgeting, internal controls, cash flow, smooth operations, etc).
• Ensures Risk Management & Compliance;
• Ensures timeliness, accuracy, and usefulness of financial and management reporting to the company’s CEO and the Management Team;
• Manages all short and long-term strategic financial objectives of the company, supporting the Management Team with vital financial information and operational analytics, and driving a culture of accountability in managing the business;
• You assure the company uses all subsidy options available in The Netherlands and Europe;
• Assists the CEO in the successful growth of the organization, including capital raising strategies;
• You support the business’ needs while at the same time adhering to company policies and guidelines (when it comes to i.e. complexity and profitability);
• You drive and own certification processes required by the company;
• You assure the statutory reports are filed properly and timely, including VAT reporting, CIT reporting and annual reporting.
• Improves and scales revenue and operational efficiency by focusing on accounting automation including evaluating and implementing new technology, tools and policies;
• You will set-up an ERP environment which can be considered professional for a mid-sized company and is able to scale as we scale while in the meantime prevent an administrative overkill;

This is a unique opportunity and a key position within this fast growing company, central to the strategy, future growth and success of the business. The role will require an individual that has a strong sense of technology, intellectual curiosity, strong leadership experience (presence) and an ability to manage a diverse slate of stakeholders.

Candidate profile

First and foremost, the CFO is a (potential) strong leader, capable of influencing the organization enterprise-wide. Successful candidates are both resilient and agile, swiftly learning their way in an entrepreneurial and fast-paced, quickly changing environment. They must bring excellent business and potential leadership capabilities, with tested and actionable insights in how to best grow a business, leverage opportunities, and control cost. In terms of the experience and skills required for the position, we would highlight the following:

Required experience

• Minimum of 7 years of finance experience, preferably in a high growth start-up / scale-up business and robust leadership experience;
• A Masters degree (or equivalent) in finance, accounting or business administration;
• Certified public accountant designation (CPA/RA) or Executive Master of Finance & Control (RC/CMA) is strongly preferred;
• You are already intrigued by all that is the AI revolution and want to be a part of it;
• Focus, dedication and responsibility to make this a success;
• Experience in a fast growing highly regulated company;
• Knowledge of CSP and related IT Service Providers.
• Preferable gained experience in working for VC-backed or PE-backed (fast growing) companies;
• Experience with requesting and obtaining subsidies/grants;
• Experience with capital raising and (asset) financing;
• You understand "cash is king" and "MS Excel (deep knowledge) is your friend";
• Gained experience in long term project (from order to delivery) environment and/or tendering environment;
• Experience with building up of a (Finance) organization preferred;
• Strong understanding of accounting, budgeting and finance;
• Strong understanding and experience with Risk Management;
• Previous experience with an ERP implementation
• Potential to grow to an Executive level and aspiring to become the CFO of a European IT leader and understand this requires you to set-up the basics first;
• You need to feel comfortable also running company operations, for example around HR, culture and broader business planning;
• Outstanding Dutch (native) and business English writing and presentation skills;
• Willingness to travel (in Europe);
• Works well under pressure and upholds deadlines;

Required skills

• Strategic thinking
• “Get stuff done” mentality; bias for action; rolls up sleeves, execution powerhouse;
• Organizer & great multi tasked with project management skills;
• Able to do C-suite level / investor / board / lenders / strategic M&A presentations and conversations;
• Ability to adapt to significant change along with rapid growth;
• Entrepeneurial mindset.

This company is not looking for a candidate:

• That is awaiting instructions and act as an accountant;
• Delegating responsibility for communication with sales or others to the directors (instead of taking responsibility for a process or outcome yourself);
• Managing a team and not being hands-on;
• Managing suppliers who create reports for you;
• Maintaining status quo.

The offer

• Market practice salary including long-term bonus;
• Market practice fringe benefits;
• Shareholder participation;
• Great work in a fast-growing AI enabler startup.

Interested?

You can apply for this position by using the link below. For more information please contact Tom van Geel, T: (06) 2904 5147.