Head of Finance (FD)

The organisation

We are seeking a hands on Head of Finance for a dynamic technology scale-up. The Head of Finance will help navigate through the next stage of scaling from a financial and operational point of view. In the period, the company will need to raise additional growth capital and/or pursue other strategic options, and the Head of Finance will play a pivotal role in this. They realized a revenue of EUR 2,5 mio in 2022 and at the moment they expect to reach order commitments of EUR 7-10 mio in 2023. Within 5 yrs from now they expect to reach a revenue of EUR 100+ mio.

The company has common roots with a life sciences organization, which was carved out earlier this year.
The company is active in developing and producing advanced fiber optic sensing technology (patented) for energy and defense sectors. Their solutions deliver accurate data and insights for improved safety and operational efficiency. Leveraging their unique high signal-to-noise ratio sensors, they offer unmatched performance, protecting critical assets even in challenging environments. The company is focussing on the following international markets:

Defence: Enhance naval defense capabilities with fiber optic sensing solutions, providing real-time data for better decision-making, security, and reliability of critical assets and infrastructure, especially subsea
Energy: Unlock the power of fiber optic sensing solutions for enhanced safety, reliability, and efficiency in high voltage energy infrastructure with their game-changing technology.
Their office in Amsterdam has around 60 employees and is growing rapidly. This company is backed by Seed Investors - and is actively seeking additional funding (Serie B) to scale and accelerate its business (several funding rounds will be needed coming years).

Why will you love this company?

• Market Leadership: They are creating a new category, and they continue to be a thought leader in fiber optic sensing solutions.
• Technology: unique technology potential that is competitive. Challenging and fast-paced working environment of talented and results-oriented people.
• International Team: their team is composed of various nationalities and markets to be developed are Europe, Middle East, Asia-Pacific and Americas. The team is used to working in highly demanding international settings and can make use of a vast industry network in the energy & defence space.
• Strategic Options: you will be at the forefront of fundraising (Series B) and financing (Debt) in the short-term, and in the medium-term funding.

The position

In this Head of Finance position (new position) you will be part of the Management Team, and you will report directly to the CEO. The Management Team consists of:

• CEO
• Head of Finance (vacancy)
• CCO
• CTO
• Head of Operations
• Head of Product Management

Because of the expected growth of the company in the coming period the Head of Finance 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, Risk & Compliance, and potentially IT. 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 talented finance professional with the ambition to become a CFO in the future.

Tasks & responsibilities

• As a business partner to the CEO and a member of the Management Team, the Head of Finance will assess organizational performance against both the prior year results, the annual budget, 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;
• Provides more insight in project profitability: pre-calculation (sales) / mid-calculation during project execution / after-project execution (post-calculation)
• Oversees short-term and medium-term budgetary planning and cost management in alignment with the company’s strategic plans and ongoing projects;
• 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 (5), IT (3), Legal, Compliance & Risk;
• 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;
• Ensures Local GAAP, regulatory and statutory compliance regarding all financial functions;
• Ensures appropriate tax management;
• 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;
• Assists the CEO in the successful growth of the organization, including capital raising strategies;
• Improves and scales revenue and operational efficiency by focusing on accounting automation including evaluating and implementing new technology, tools and policies;
• Advises on compensation strategy including equity and bonus planning.

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 Head of Finance a strong and talented 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. In terms of the experience and skills required for the position, we would highlight the following:
Required experience

• Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience. Preferably in a high growth start-up / scale-up business;
• 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;
• Gained experience in working for VC-backed or PE-backed (fast growing) companies (nice to have, no must);
• Gained experience in (long term) project orientated (production) companies/sectors: energy, defence (strong regulated business/clients), oil & gas, offshore, maritime, mechanical engineering, etc.
• Gained experience in managing various costs (hardware, engineering, manufacturing, services, etc.)
• Gained experience with change management;
• Experience with capital raising and financing (nice to have, no must);
• Gained experience in long term project (from order to delivery) environment;
• Experience with re-design or building up of a (Finance) organization preferred;
• Strong understanding of accounting, budgeting and finance;
• Strong understanding and experience with Risk Management
• You need to feel comfortable also running company operations, for example around HR, culture and broader business planning;
• The ideal candidate is born in finance but grew up as a company leader.

Required skills

• Strategic thinking
• “Get stuff done” mentality; bias for action; rolls up sleeves, execution powerhouse;
• Diplomat and interpersonal skills;
• 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.

The offer

Competitive base salary (incl. holiday payment) 85K-110K + benefits (STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS/Bonus + pension + travel allowance).

Interested?

You can apply for this position by using the link below.