Head of Finance

Sigmar Recruitment; Galway; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Sigmar Recruitment seeks an experienced Head of Finance (Europe) to lead the finance function across a European business, based in Galway. You will partner with senior leaders to shape regional strategy, manage budgeting and forecasting, and drive profitability and cash flow across multiple European locations.

The role requires a qualified accountant and a track record of leading finance teams in a multinational, operationally complex environment.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent.
• Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, Economics or related.
• Proven senior finance leadership in a multinational manufacturing or similarly complex environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Head of Finance (Europe) function as a strategic partner to senior leadership, bringing financial and commercial insight to key business decisions.
• Shape regional strategy and investment decisions, providing constructive challenge around growth priorities, pricing, resource allocation and business opportunities.
• Drive improvements in profitability, margin, cash generation and working capital, translating financial analysis into clear actions across the business.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting and longer-term planning, ensuring resources and financial priorities remain aligned with strategic objectives.
• Strengthen business performance through meaningful KPIs, commercially relevant reporting and early identification of risks and opportunities.
• Partner with commercial, manufacturing and supply chain leadership to improve operational performance, efficiency and sustainable growth.
• Build and develop a high-performing finance organisation across multiple European locations, establishing clear accountability, capability and succession within the function.
• Influence senior stakeholders across functions and geographies, positioning finance as a source of commercial insight rather than solely financial control.
• Govern financial controls, statutory reporting, audit, tax and regulatory obligations across the European business.
• Transform finance processes, systems and ways of working to improve efficiency, visibility and organisational effectiveness.
• Contribute to wider European leadership priorities, balancing financial discipline with the commercial and operational requirements of a growing and evolving business.

Skills

Financial leadership

Stakeholder management

Commercial acumen

Multi-country leadership

Governance & controls

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA

Finance degree

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

HEAD OF FINANCE

We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded finance leader to lead the Finance function across a European business. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Head of Finance (Europe) will have broad responsibility for financial leadership, business performance, governance and the development of the European finance organisation. Working closely with senior commercial, operational and functional leaders, this role will influence business strategy, improve organisational performance and strengthen decision-making across the region. It offers significant scope for an established finance leader to shape both the commercial agenda and the future capability of the function. This role will be based in Galway City.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the Head of Finance (Europe) function as a strategic partner to senior leadership, bringing financial and commercial insight to key business decisions.
• Shape regional strategy and investment decisions, providing constructive challenge around growth priorities, pricing, resource allocation and business opportunities.
• Drive improvements in profitability, margin, cash generation and working capital, translating financial analysis into clear actions across the business.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting and longer-term planning, ensuring resources and financial priorities remain aligned with strategic objectives.
• Strengthen business performance through meaningful KPIs, commercially relevant reporting and early identification of risks and opportunities.
• Partner with commercial, manufacturing and supply chain leadership to improve operational performance, efficiency and sustainable growth.
• Build and develop a high-performing finance organisation across multiple European locations, establishing clear accountability, capability and succession within the function.
• Influence senior stakeholders across functions and geographies, positioning finance as a source of commercial insight rather than solely financial control.
• Govern financial controls, statutory reporting, audit, tax and regulatory obligations across the European business.
• Transform finance processes, systems and ways of working to improve efficiency, visibility and organisational effectiveness.
• Contribute to wider European leadership priorities, balancing financial discipline with the commercial and operational requirements of a growing and evolving business.

REQUIREMENTS

• Qualified accountant with an ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent professional qualification.
• Degree-level qualification in Finance, Accounting, Business, Economics or a related discipline.
• Significant senior finance leadership experience within a multinational manufacturing or similarly operationally complex environment.
• Experience leading finance operations across multiple European countries and working effectively across different business and cultural environments.
• Proven experience building, developing and leading high-performing finance teams across multiple locations.
• Strong commercial judgement, with the ability to connect financial insight with strategic, operational and investment decisions.
• Strong understanding of profitability, working capital, planning, governance and performance management within an operational business.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior commercial, operational and functional stakeholders and provide credible, constructive challenge.
• Proven track record of leading business improvement, organisational change or finance transformation and delivering measurable outcomes.
• Strong governance, controls, reporting, audit, tax and regulatory awareness across a multi-entity environment.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management capability, with the credibility to operate effectively at senior leadership level.
• Willingness to travel within Europe as required.

For more information, please contact [e-mail]