Finance Director - First Finance Hire

Darwin Hawkins; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Darwin Hawkins is seeking a Finance Director in Dublin City Centre on a hybrid basis. This is the first permanent finance hire, reporting to the CEO, with responsibility to build and lead the finance function from the ground up.

You will shape financial strategy, oversee reporting, budgeting and cash flow, and partner with senior leadership to drive growth and scale the business.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with post-qualification experience.
• Experience as a Finance Director, Head of Finance or Financial Controller in a growing tech 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 hands-on with finance.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the confidence to work with the CEO and senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Finance Function Development – Establish and develop the finance function with processes, systems and controls.
• Financial Reporting – Own management accounts and financial statements for decision-making.
• Strategic Finance – Collaborate with the CEO on strategy, planning and key commercial decisions.
• Budgeting & Forecasting – Build models, budgets and forecasts to support growth.
• Cash Flow & Funding – Manage cash flow, working capital and funding needs.
• Commercial Finance – Provide financial insights across the business for opportunities and performance.
• Compliance & Governance – Oversee statutory reporting, tax compliance and audits.

Skills

Financial reporting

Budgeting

Forecasting

Cash flow

Strategic finance

Commercial finance

Governance

Stakeholder management

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA chartered accountant

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.