The role is based on-site in Belgium and operates with high visibility, autonomy, and close interaction with the business.
United Search is supporting the search for a Finance & Administration Director to join a renowned international organization. This strategic role provides direct support to the CEO, the Executive Management Board, Regional leadership, and Global HQ, acting as a trusted business partner and delivering financial leadership that is central to guiding decisions and driving the company's performance.
This position combines strategic oversight with a hands-on, end-to-end approach, ensuring robust financial performance, compliance, and operational excellence. The Finance & Administration Director will lead a team of 5 people and hold full responsibility for the finance and administration scope, while actively contributing to business decisions, transformations, and operational improvements.
Responsibilities:
* Act as a key financial business partner to the CEO and Management Board, providing strategic insight, challenge, and decision support, while maintaining close involvement with operational performance.
* Lead and structure the finance team, fostering accountability, rigor, and a business-focused mindset.
* Ensure timely and accurate statutory, tax, and IFRS reporting, in compliance with local legislation, with full ownership of accounting, balance sheet, and closing processes.
* Oversee tax, audit, internal control, and compliance, working with external auditors, tax authorities, and Global HQ, while continuously improving controls and managing financial risks.
* Monitor and manage financial performance, including P&L, balance sheet, CAPEX, and cash flow, actively overseeing working capital and key metrics (NWC, DIO, DSO) while implementing actions to improve margins.
* Ensure robust treasury, credit control, and financing management, guaranteeing uninterrupted cash flow and managing financial risk related to receivables, payables, and overall exposure.
* Represent the company in its relationships with external stakeholders (banks, auditors, clients, suppliers, authorities).
* Lead and contribute to ad hoc projects (ERP deployment, integration for newly acquired businesses, back-office integration, rollout of the Electronic Document Management system etc.).
* Provide actionable financial analysis and insight on business topics.
Skills required for the position:
* Degree in Finance, Business Administration, or related field, with 10+ years of experience in finance functions, including 3–5 years in a full-scope Finance Director role.
* Strong business acumen, able to navigate complex organizations and translate financial data into actionable insights. A controlling background is a must, to lead budget and 3Y plans processes.
* Strong expertise in finance, accounting, IFRS, tax, and treasury, with experience in planning, budgeting, analysis, and cash management.
* Experience with ERP systems (SAP); ERP rollout or integration experience is a plus.
* Ability to build, develop, and mentor teams, fostering accountability and engagement.
* Hands-on, grounded, solution-oriented mindset, with a continuous improvement approach and focus on tangible business impact.
* High level of discretion, reliability, and professionalism.
* Ability to build credibility and communicate effectively with senior management and external stakeholders.
* Strong interest in the luxury sector (fashion, retail, beauty, jewelry, etc.)
* Knowledge of Belgian legislation is a plus.
* Fluent in English; additional languages (Dutch, French) are a plus.
Embark on a leadership journey within an international and evolving environment, where respect and authenticity shape the culture. If you thrive in complex, business-driven contexts, and are motivated to make a tangible impact on performance and transformation, we invite you to connect with us.
The company offers an attractive remuneration package (fixed and variable components, company car).