Job Description
We are seeking a Group Head of Finance to lead one of our portfolio companies in German-speaking Switzerland.
This key leadership role reports directly to the CEO and the Board of Directors and is responsible for overseeing a team of 3 to 5 direct reports.
Key Responsibilities:
General:
* Lead the finance function, including accounting, controlling, treasury, and tax, as a business partner to the business units.
* Select and manage a team of specialists and external advisors across two geographies – Germany and Switzerland – while also covering other relevant regions when necessary.
* Act as a growth partner with an emphasis on business development, business case development, and analysis of strategic growth opportunities.
* Establish and build trusted relationships with internal managers and external parties.
* Communicate effectively with stakeholders to ensure transparency and accountability.
* Drive the digitization of the finance function, including accounting and controlling tools based on industry-specific standard software.
* Understand M&A and Post-Merger-Integration, with a clear eye and relevant experience to identify execution risks and mistakes.
* Manage a project office to enable effective execution across the business.
Accounting:
* Ensure timely monthly reporting for Group and BU entities to management and investors.
* Prepare timely and accurate annual accounts, including consolidation, and required filings.
* Understand and manage accrual accounting and define the accrual policy accordingly.
* Consolidate annual accounts according to Swiss GAAP.
Controlling:
* Support the top management team in defining and achieving their targets, enabling business growth.
* Translate strategy into numbers and KPIs to drive transformation.
* Ensure timely and insightful KPI reporting package to the board and investors.
* Help align the workforce behind these numbers and KPIs by disseminating and explaining them.
* Ensure accountability of Business Unit leaders regarding their numbers and have a good understanding of key business levers that drive these numbers.
* Own the budgeting and forecast process, supervising and guiding business unit leads and presenting to the board and investors.
* Control risk management metrics and communicate operational / business risks to the organization where appropriate.
Treasury:
* Maintain regular contact with existing debt finance providers and banks for liquidity and hedging programs.
* Provide accurate cash flow planning based on reported business, backlog, and pipeline.
* Proactively optimize cash flow to the company, including NWC management with a strategic view and implementation skills.
* Conduct pragmatic FX hedging activities.
Tax:
* Ensure timely tax filings, working closely with external tax advisors in two geographies.
* Manage tax matters effectively, optimizing taxes where possible.
Legal:
* Manage all legal matters, ensuring legal is a value-adder and business enabler rather than a distractor or showstopper.
* Oversee corporate governance and regulatory compliance initiatives and provide fast and effective legal advice to internal stakeholders.
Manage the external legal team that drafts, reviews, and negotiates contracts, agreements, and other legal documents.