Job Type: Permanent
Location: Amsterdam
Reporting line: MD Benelux (dotted line to CFO Europe)
The Finance Director will support the growth of the Benelux region, together with the Benelux Management Team and act as a strategic partner in maximizing value creation. The Finance Director helps with shaping portfolio strategies, undertaking major investment decisions, and communicating with key stakeholders.
As the business partner, you would be the financial conscience of the business working closely with the country MD, to assist in the planning, forecasting and reporting of the insurance business performance.
In this role you would be part of the Benelux Management Team and European Finance Leadership Team supporting business development and growth whilst maintaining a level of independence to provide confidence in the financial reporting and control.
On a daily basis you will be responsible for the daily management of the numerous accounting, finance, and tax activities. It combines an accounting function, with reporting and strategic thinking. Finally, there will be a combination of direct and matrix management of staff.
Key responsibilities:
Technical and Management
- Monitoring and management of business and financial performance; Development of business cases and/or remedial action plans to maximize performance;
- Evaluating business opportunities, risks and issues and assessing their financial implications;
- Providing financial advice, guidance and recommendations to the (Benelux) management team, MD and HSA Europe CFO;
- Responsible for delivery of forecasts and reports on a regular or ad hoc basis to meet the needs of internal customers and stakeholders, within agreed timescales;
- Contributing to the development of financial models, tools and analytical processes to meet business needs;
- Local development of underwriting planning & performance monitoring, expense variance tracking, budgeting and forecasting, quarterly financial consolidation packs and general financial analysis;
- Maintain accurate, up-to-date records and ensure data and content is appropriately secure, in the preparation of the entity accounts for submission Group, to fiscal and regulatory bodies;
- Provide audit assistance and management the third parties local specific returns and declarations;
- Manage the country budget and forecasting process with the management team;
- Recommend and implement methods and procedures to improve accounting processes for either the country or on a European basis as required;
- Control the country budget and forecasting process with the management team; setting and delivering against targets, develop opportunities and build credible plans to ensure all P&L items are accurately planned, and ensuring the financial health of the business.
- Gathering, validating and compiling quantitative and qualitative financial information, from multiple internal and/or external sources to ensure accuracy and completeness;
- Handling the flow of requests for information into and out of the department: responding or re-directing and prioritizing items accordingly;
- Support the MD with 10 year strategic view and take the lead in setting-up the business cases for new organic growth and M&A opportunities;
- Develop talent and succession planning.
Person Specification:
- Academic qualifications in Business Management, Accounting or Finance, with a Master Degree
- At least 5 years of experience in a similar role
- Experience in the development of financially sound business strategies and operating plans
- Extensive knowledge of international taxation & Cash Flow Management
- Knowledge and experience of the dynamics of the insurance world to provide 'real time' support and analysis, to be a trusted adviser and to add value that will assist in decision making
- Experience in working with international teams. Team player. Highly motivated self-starter
- People leadership/coaching experience (in solving financial issues in several business units)
- Capacity to look beyond business plans. Position and steward the implementation of Finance approved strategies, policies and processes in location to ensure consistent Group-wide best practice is delivered
- Fluency in English, and preferably Dutch
- Ability to travel (maybe up to 20% of time)