About the Role
As Director of Cognizant, you will make an impact by serving as the statutory bestuurder (managing director) of a newly incorporated, wholly owned Dutch subsidiary established to deliver large-scale mortgage operations and servicing for a leading Dutch banking client. You will be a valued member of Cognizant's Banking & Financial Services leadership community, working collaboratively with Cognizant's Benelux and global BFS leadership, the BV's supervisory board, and the client's executive team.
This is a rare and consequential leadership mandate: you will be the legal representative and ultimate accountable executive of a regulated, locally incorporated Dutch entity — responsible for its governance, regulatory standing, financial health, and commercial outcomes from inception. The BV operates under Dutch law, is supervised by the relevant Dutch authorities, and delivers critical mortgage operations on behalf of a major Dutch banking client. The role commences on a one-year contractual part-time basis, with transition to full-time employment with Cognizant thereafter.
In this role, you will:- Act as statutory director (bestuurder), registered with the Kamer van Koophandel (KvK), exercising full fiduciary duties under Dutch corporate law (Boek 2 BW); chair and/or participate in board meetings; maintain board minutes, resolutions, and corporate registers; and manage relationships with the supervisory board, shareholders, notaries, and external counsel.
- Hold ultimate accountability for the BV's regulatory compliance across all applicable Dutch and EU frameworks — including Wft, AFM and DNB requirements, EBA outsourcing guidelines, DORA, GDPR, AML/CTF (Wwft), and sanctions — and serve as the entity's day-to-day policymaker (dagelijks beleidsbepaler), including successful completion of the fit-and-proper (geschiktheid en betrouwbaarheid) assessment.
- Own the BV's P&L, budget, forecast, and capital adequacy; ensure financial soundness, transfer pricing compliance, and statutory filings — including annual accounts (jaarrekening) with the KvK and corporate income tax obligations.
- Drive end-to-end mortgage operations delivery and SLA performance for the Dutch banking client; lead client governance at executive and board level; serve as the senior escalation point for the client's COO, Head of Mortgages, CRO, and CCO; and drive growth and diversification of the BV's portfolio in line with Cognizant's Benelux strategy.
- Establish and maintain the BV's internal control framework, risk management, compliance, and internal audit functions; ensure timely and transparent reporting to regulators, the client, and the Cognizant group.
- Lead the BV's executive team and total Netherlands workforce, ensuring full compliance with Dutch labour law, collective labour agreements (CAO) where applicable, and works council (Ondernemingsraad) obligations under the WOR; champion a culture of integrity, customer focus, inclusion, and operational excellence.
- Represent the BV externally with industry forums, trade bodies, regulators, and the broader Dutch financial services ecosystem; approve and oversee material contracts, procurement, vendor onboarding, and intercompany agreements.
We believe hybrid work is the way forward as we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role's business requirements, this is a hybrid position requiring regular in-person presence at the BV's registered office in Eindhoven, Netherlands, as well as at client sites and Cognizant offices as dictated by governance, regulatory, and operational requirements. Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance through our various wellbeing programmes.
The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you are engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured — we will always be clear about role expectations.
What You Need to Have to Be Considered- 18 to 23 years of senior leadership experience in financial services, banking operations, BPO/managed services, or mortgage businesses, with significant exposure to the Netherlands market and a demonstrated track record of running a meaningful P&L and a sizeable workforce in the Netherlands or Benelux.
- Prior experience as a statutory director (bestuurder) of a Dutch BV or NV, or as a senior executive (CEO/COO/Country Head) of a regulated entity in the Netherlands, with demonstrated ability to clear — or be clearable under — the AFM/DNB fit-and-proper test for policymakers of a regulated or significantly outsourced financial entity.
- Strong working knowledge of Dutch corporate law, Dutch financial regulation (Wft), Dutch mortgage market dynamics, and the regulatory obligations of a financial services outsourcing entity operating under AFM and DNB supervision.
- Experience establishing or scaling a legal entity, captive, or shared services centre in the Netherlands; proven ability to build governance frameworks, internal control environments, and regulatory compliance functions from the ground up.
- Existing right to work in the Netherlands and willingness to be primarily based in the country; Bachelor's degree is mandatory — an MBA, CA, or other relevant postgraduate qualification is strongly preferred.
- Working proficiency in Dutch — considered mandatory for effective engagement with Dutch regulators (AFM/DNB), the works council (Ondernemingsraad), and key Dutch stakeholders.
- Prior experience within a Dutch bank, mortgage lender, or servicer — such as Stater or Quion — or within a major BPO or IT services firm operating in regulated Dutch banking, including direct familiarity with platforms such as Ohpen, Stater, Quion, and FIGlo.
- Deep familiarity with EBA outsourcing guidelines, DORA implementation, and AFM/DNB supervision practices as they apply to material outsourcing arrangements in the Dutch financial sector.
- Executive presence and a strong governance mindset: the ability to engage credibly with regulators, board members, and C-suite client stakeholders, combined with strategic thinking, sharp commercial acumen, and the integrity expected of a statutory director in a regulated environment.
- Proven ability to operate in a matrixed, multicultural environment — bridging the Dutch incorporated entity and the global Cognizant group structure — with excellent communication skills in both English and Dutch.
- Competitive salary benchmarked to Dutch senior‑leadership market standards
- A technology‑driven organisation at the forefront of financial services transformation
- Open team spirit and a collaborative, inclusive culture
- An international environment with direct visibility into Cognizant's global Banking & Financial Services leadership
€120000 - €180000 monthly