Chief Financial Officer

Client

Our client is the second largest tour operator in the Netherlands, employing around 850 FTE’s. The company operates through a number of wellknown travel brands. The company is fully owned by a UK Travel group and is fully listed in the UK.

The priorities of the company are:

• focusing more heavily on and growing its retail operations both organically and through acquisitions
• developing and offering unique products
• maintaining its cost-leadership position in the market

The company is located in Hoofddorp

Currently we are looking for a

Chief Financial Officer

The CFO reports to the Chairman of the Board of Directors, and also has a functional responsibility to the finance function of the parent company. He or she (this will not be repeated) will act as a sparring partner to the CEO and be required to work as part of an effective management team that formulates, develops and implements the strategic vision of the company.

More specifically, the priorities for the CFO role include:

• Analyse existing business processes and redesign them in the light of optimizing profitability;
• Together with the CEO, development of new business and investment plans (with a very strong focus on cost management); 
• Punctual IFRS compliant financial reporting and the management of the budgeting and forecasting processes.
• Optimise working capital management (this is a business with high volumes combined with relatively small margins) 
• Create more transparency with regards to the financials and underlying drivers to enable management to take robust decisions (i.e. further professionalise reporting and forecasting)
• Develop detailed and structured process for managing accounts receivable (bad debtors)
• Develop and implement a qualitative analysis of the balance sheet
• Be part of the core segment management and drive cross-border synergies

In this role, the CFO will have 5 direct reports (Planning & Control, F&A, Procurement, Facilities, Legal) and a total team of 30 FTE’s to whom he will provide leadership and set clear expectations.

Profile

The CFO will have at least ten years of relevant experience. The ideal candidate will have experience in the financial discipline of fast growing companies. Experience at a strategy consulting firm or at an Investment Bank is an advantage. Whilst being a strong finance professional, he will also bring broad business skills to the Company and can act as a right-hand man to the MD and the rest of the team on a wide range of matters. Experience with (process related) restructuring, analyzing and re-engineering business processes is essential.

The CFO will have strong leadership and people skills, and can demonstrate a strong track record of taking responsibility for processes and projects. In general, the CFO will have a track record which demonstrates clear evidence of success and the ability to reach goals in a balanced and determined way. He will have managed several medium sized (change) projects.)

In terms of personality, the new CFO will be a mature, ambitious and balanced individual with natural authority and confidence. He will be demanding with good interpersonal skills on the one hand though with the ability to be critical and challenging when needed. Importantly, the CFO will be structured and process oriented, while being agile and pragmatic enough to be able to operate in a demanding and fast-paced environment. In terms of style he will be forward-thinking and modern.

He should also have a strong personality – it is important to be a team player but also have the ability stand his/her own vis-à-vis the other members in the Management Team and third parties like bankers, etc. An achiever with strong motivation and work ethic, someone who is willing to do what it takes to get the job done. He will have excellent attention to detail.

The candidate will have a good command of Dutch and English. 

Interested?

You can apply by using the form below.