Finance Director - First Finance Hire

Darwin Hawkins; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Darwin Hawkins is partnering with a fast-growing technology company in Dublin City Centre, seeking its first permanent Finance Director. The role reports to the CEO and will build the finance function from the ground up, implementing robust controls and scalable reporting.

The ideal candidate is a qualified accountant with post-qualification experience in growing businesses, comfortable with hands-on finance, strategic planning, and close collaboration with senior leadership and external

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with post-qualification experience in growing tech or international business.
• Experience leading finance functions and collaborating with CEO and external advisors.
• Strong financial reporting, budgeting and cash flow skills in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Establish and develop the finance function from the ground up with robust processes.
• Own financial reporting, including management accounts and statutory compliance.
• Develop and implement budgeting, forecasting and strategic financial plans.
• Manage cash flow, working capital and funding needs.
• Provide commercial finance insights to support strategic decisions.
• Partner with CEO and senior leaders on business planning and governance.

Skills

Strategic finance

Financial reporting

Budgeting

Cash flow management

Stakeholder management

Hands-on finance

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA

Job description

Job Title: Finance Director - First Finance Hire

Sector: Technology - High Growth

Location: Dublin City Centre (Hybrid)

Our Client

Our client is an ambitious and growing technology company entering an exciting phase of its development. The business is now looking to appoint its first permanent Finance Director to support its growth plans and establish a strong finance function.

Why should you apply?

This is a rare opportunity to join a growing technology company as its first permanent finance hire, reporting directly to the CEO. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to establish and lead the finance function from the ground up, playing a central role in shaping the company's financial strategy and supporting its future growth.

This is a particularly attractive opportunity for a commercially minded finance professional who enjoys working in an entrepreneurial environment. The position offers significant exposure to strategic decision-making, direct involvement with senior leadership and the opportunity to build a finance function that can scale alongside the business.

Who should apply?

Our client is looking to meet with ambitious and commercially focused qualified accountants who have experience working in growing businesses and are comfortable operating in a hands-on environment.

The ideal candidate will have the following experience:

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with strong post-qualification experience.
• Experience as a Finance Director, Head of Finance or Financial Controller, ideally within a growing technology or international business.
• Strong financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting and cash flow management experience.
• Experience establishing or developing finance processes, systems and controls within a growing organisation.
• Commercially minded with the ability to operate strategically while remaining comfortable with hands-on financial responsibilities.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the confidence to work directly with the CEO, senior stakeholders and external advisors.

Role and Reporting Lines

Reporting directly to the CEO, the Finance Director will be the first permanent appointment into the finance function. This is a broad position combining financial leadership, commercial support and hands-on finance management. The successful candidate will have considerable autonomy and will play a key role in developing the financial infrastructure required to support the company's growth.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Finance Function Development - Establish and develop the company's finance function, implementing appropriate financial processes, systems, reporting structures and internal controls.
• Financial Reporting - Take ownership of management accounts, financial statements and financial reporting, ensuring accurate and timely financial information is available to support business decisions.
• Strategic Finance - Work closely with the CEO on financial strategy, business planning and key commercial decisions as the company develops.
• Budgeting & Forecasting - Develop financial models, budgets and forecasts to support the company's growth plans, investment decisions and operational requirements.
• Cash Flow & Funding - Manage cash flow, working capital and financial planning, supporting the CEO with funding requirements and potential investment activities.
• Commercial Finance - Provide financial analysis and commercial insights across the business, including assessing new opportunities, investment requirements and financial performance.
• Compliance & Governance - Oversee statutory reporting, tax compliance, audit requirements and relationships with external accountants, auditors and professional advisors.
• Stakeholder Management - Act as a key financial partner to the CEO and senior leadership, providing clear financial information and supporting the development of the business.