Job Title: Head of Finance Operations (Hands-on Finance Role)
Reports To: Board of Members
Employment Type: Full-time
Location: Belgium
Position Overview
Head of Finance Operations is a senior leadership role with strong, hands-on financial ownership. This position is designed for a hardcore finance professional who will lead end-to-end financial planning, execution, control, and reporting while also overseeing key operational functions. The role requires deep involvement in budgeting, accounting, cash flow management, audits, compliance, and financial strategy, ensuring the schools long-term financial sustainability. Additionally academic skills like HR, administration, facilities, transport, and marketing support remain essential but secondary to the finance leadership mandate.
Key Responsibilities
1. Finance, Accounting & Financial Control (Core Focus)
* Own end-to-end financial management of the school with a strong hands-on approach.
* Prepare and manage annual budgets, rolling forecasts, and variance analysis aligned with strategic goals.
* Handle day-to-day accounting operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, fee collection, payroll coordination, and general ledger oversight.
* Monitor and actively manage cash flow, working capital, and liquidity planning.
* Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, MIS reports, and board-level financial dashboards.
* Lead internal and external audits, ensuring full compliance with statutory, regulatory, and governance requirements.
* Ensure compliance with local financial laws, tax regulations, payroll regulations, and reporting standards.
* Manage banking relationships, treasury operations, and optimize transaction costs.
* Establish and strengthen financial controls, SOPs, risk management frameworks, and fraud prevention mechanisms.
* Drive cost optimization, profitability analysis, and financial sustainability initiatives.
2. Procurement & Vendor Financial Management
* Lead procurement planning with strong cost-benefit and financial evaluation.
* Negotiate contracts with vendors, service providers, and suppliers to ensure value for money.
* Track vendor payments, contract compliance, and budget adherence.
3. Human Resources (Operational Oversight)
* Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and HR operations in coordination with school leadership.
* Ensure payroll accuracy, staff contracts, and compliance with labor laws.
* Maintain HR records, employee documentation, and staff welfare processes.
4. Administration & Regulatory Compliance
* Supervise administrative operations, documentation, and statutory records.
* Coordinate licensing, insurance, regulatory filings, and compliance audits.
* Ensure institutional policies, procedures, and governance standards are followed.
5. Facilities, Transport & Asset Management
* Oversee facilities maintenance, safety standards, and asset lifecycle management.
* Manage transportation contracts, budgets, and compliance with safety regulations.
* Monitor capital expenditure (CapEx), repairs, renovations, and infrastructure investments.
6. Marketing & Admissions – Financial Support Role
* Support marketing and admissions teams from a financial planning and ROI perspective.
* Analyze enrolment trends, pricing strategies, fee structures, and revenue projections.
* Track marketing spend effectiveness and ensure budget discipline.
7. Leadership & Strategic Financial Planning
* Act as a financial advisor to the Board and senior leadership.
* Provide data-driven insights on growth, expansion, pricing, and long-term sustainability.
* Contribute to strategic planning with a strong focus on financial viability and scalability.
* Build a culture of accountability, financial discipline, and continuous improvement.
Qualifications
* Bachelor's or Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
* Professional certifications such as CPA, ACCA, CMA, or equivalent are a strong advantage.
Experience & Skills
* 7–10+ years of hands-on finance experience, preferably in education, services, or multi-unit operations.
* Proven expertise in budgeting, accounting, audits, cash flow management, and financial reporting.
* Strong command of financial systems, ERPs, accounting software, and Excel-based financial modeling.
* Ability to work independently with high ownership and accountability.
* Strong analytical, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
* High integrity, attention to detail, and decision-making capability.
Key Emphasis: This role is intentionally designed for candidates seeking deep, hands-on finance leadership exposure, with operations serving as a strategic support function rather than the primary focus.