Finance Director, Benelux & Nordics

ABOUT THE ROLE

Richemont is seeking a highly experienced and strategic Finance Director to lead our finance operations across the Benelux and Nordics market and our Regional activities based in Amsterdam. This role will be instrumental in driving financial performance, ensuring robust compliance, and providing critical strategic insights to the Managing Director and the wider business. As a key member of the Executive Committee, the position holder will shape the financial future of our Maisons in this dynamic market, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement within the finance function.

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Finance Director will be responsible for the overall financial stewardship and performance of Richemont's operations in the Benelux and Nordics market. This includes leading and developing a high-performing finance team, ensuring strict adherence to Group and Maison financial policies, international accounting standards (IAS/IFRS), and local regulations within the Benelux and Nordics countries. The position holder will drive continuous process optimization, manage financial risks, and act as a strategic business partner, providing insightful analysis and recommendations to support growth and profitability.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Financial Leadership & Business Partnership:

• Strategic Planning:Lead the preparation, analysis, and submission of comprehensive Brand, Regional Functions (RRF), and total Company budgets and latest estimates (LEs).
• Performance Management: Monitor and actively manage financial performance against approved budgets and latest estimates (LEs), identifying variances, controlling costs, and proactively proposing/implementing corrective actions and productivity gains. Produce all relevant financial analysis to assist key stakeholders in their business decisions.
• Executive Committee Contribution: Actively participate in the Company’s Executive Committee, contributing to the development and implementation of company goals, policies, and strategic priorities.
• Partner with Maisons, Retail and Functions leaders to support sustainable sales and profitability growth.
• Pro-actively identify business risks and opportunities and ensure appropriate actions are agreed and implemented.
• Serve as a strategic business partner and advisor to the Managing Director, advising on strategic and operational matters through insightful financial analysis and recommendations, proactive contribution to decision-making, and implementation support. Support Brand teams and RRF heads with business cases for significant finance business decisions.
• Investment Analysis: Oversee the production of relevant financial documents for investment requests (e.g., boutique investments, three-year country development plans) and other ad-hoc business needs.

Financial Operations & Reporting Excellence:

• Accounting Oversight:Overall responsibility for all accounting activities, including Accounts Payable (AP), Accounts Receivable (AR), General Ledger (GL), accruals, fixed assets, stock controls, and Customer/Supplier Master Data integrity.
• Financial Statements: Ensure the accurate and timely preparation, analysis, and submission of monthly financial statements, management information, and other reports in accordance with Group and Maison requirements.
• Statutory Reporting:Oversee the production of year-end statutory Financial Statements for the entities within the Benelux and Nordics region and mid-year updates required by local compliance.
• Retail Finance Management: Oversee and ensure proper control of Retail finance flows, including payment controls, fraud and anti-money laundering controls, stock control, and compliance with Group and Maison procedures.
• Anti-fraud activities:Oversee and optimize the E-commerce and Boutiques anti-fraud controls and automation, including Forter enhancements and the management of 5 Team Members.
• Treasury Management: Oversee treasury operations, including payments, approval workflows, netting, and bank account management. Lead continuous improvement in cash flow and payment processes in close coordination with Group Treasury.

Compliance, Audit & Risk Management:

• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure full compliance with Group procedures, IAS/IFRS standards, local GAAP (e.g., Dutch GAAP, Belgian GAAP, Nordic GAAPs), and local tax regulations applicable to Richemont entities within the Benelux and Nordics region in coordination with Group Legal and Group Tax.

• Internal Controls (ICS): Lead all compliance tasks, testing, walkthroughs, and ICS reporting. Ensure robust segregation of duties, mitigating controls, and proper system access controls.

• Audit Management: Coordinate and manage all internal and external audits (financial, ICS, tax), ensuring a clean audit opinion and providing all necessary information to auditors. Keep relationships, provide information and update regularly the Boards of Statutory Auditors for the entities in the perimeter.

• Tax Compliance Management: Oversee all tax filings, returns, and audits within the Benelux and Nordics region. Act as the primary contact for local tax authorities across the region and inform relevant stakeholders of changes in local tax rules. In close coordination with Group Tax, responsible for the Transfer Pricing Management of the affiliates under responsibility.

• Stakeholder Liaison: Maintain strong relationships with External Auditors, Internal Auditors, Banks, local controlling bodies, Brands, Group Finance, Regional Finance, and other key Group personnel.

Team Leadership & Development:

• Team Management: Lead, mentor, and develop the Finance team, encompassing Accounting, Retail Back-Office, and Controlling departments.
• Talent Management: Oversee recruitment, induction, training, motivation, task assignment/prioritization, delegation, performance management (objectives, reviews, ratings), salary proposals within budget, succession planning, and job rotation.

Systems & Process Optimization:

• Process Improvement: Define, roll out, lead, and continuously improve finance processes (e.g., closing process, budget/LE timelines) by identifying efficiencies and leading improvement projects.
• System Management: Oversee the definition, initial rollout, maintenance, and upgrade of all accounting and finance systems, as well as the finance components of other systems (e.g., Concur, SAP VIM).
• Training & Education: Responsible for training all Company staff on Group Finance policies, procedures, and IAS standards relevant to their roles.

JOB PROFILE / CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

Education & Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Business Administration or Finance & Accounting.

Languages:

• Fluency in English (verbal and written) is essential.
• Proficiency in Dutch is a significant advantage.

Experience:

• Minimum of 15 years of progressive finance experience, with at least 5-7 years in a senior leadership role managing a medium-sized finance team within a multi-country European context, preferably including Benelux and/or Nordics.
• Proven experience in a multinational or matrix environment, preferably within luxury retail or a similar industry.
• Working experience in other countries and in an international environment is a significant advantage.
• External and/or Internal Audit experience is a plus.

Technical Skills & Abilities:

• Expert knowledge of IFRS, local GAAP and the tax systems within the Benelux and Nordics region.

• Strong understanding of corporate law and corporate governance principles relevant to the Benelux and Nordics region.

• Proficiency in financial management systems (e.g., SAP, Concur, VIM) and advanced Microsoft Excel skills.

• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and manage complex projects and project teams.

• Exceptional analytical, data gathering, synthesis, and presentation skills.

• Experience in designing and implementing financial procedures and processes.

Key Competencies:

• Strategic Acumen: Understands business implications of decisions, displays orientation to profitability, and aligns financial strategy with organizational goals.
• Leadership & Team Development: Inspires, motivates, and develops high-performing teams; delegates effectively and fosters a collaborative, results-oriented environment.
• Communication & Influence: Articulates complex financial information clearly and concisely to diverse audiences; influences stakeholders at all levels with professionalism and respect.
• Problem Solving & Innovation: Generates creative and effective solutions to complex financial challenges; drives continuous improvement and embraces change.
• Resilience & Drive:Thrives in a demanding, fast-paced environment; takes ownership, demonstrates accountability, and is committed to achieving challenging goals.
• Integrity & Compliance:Upholds the highest ethical standards and ensures strict adherence to all company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.