Head of Finance

Head of Finance & Project Finance UK Headquarters, European Studio Network Location: Based Rotterdam Salary: Dependent on Experience Workstyle: Hybrid At the intersection of design excellence and commercial intelligence, this role leads the financial engine of a global architectural practice. As Head of Finance & Project Finance, you'll strengthen liquidity, governance, and performance visibility across the UK and European studio network, while partnering with project leaders to shape and safeguard the economics behind exceptional built environments. You will oversee core finance functions for the Dutch office (Rotterdam) while driving project finance leadership across the practice — ensuring financial rigour, profitable delivery, and operational consistency across a multi-currency, multi-jurisdiction portfolio. This is a highly collaborative, commercial role built on trust, precision, and strategic impact. What you'll lead: Corporate & Office Finance Treasury, liquidity, and cash flow planning aligned to project billing cycles Multi-entity sales invoicing, credit control, debtor management and invoice scheduling Accounts payable oversight including approvals, payments, supplier onboarding and contractual fee tracking VAT/BTW compliance across NL, UK, and Ireland, plus audit and regulatory readiness Payroll and pension coordination with external providers and authorities Budget ownership for the Dutch studio, including income and profit target planning Project Finance & Operations (Practice-wide) Chair and lead monthly project finance reviews with project leaders Build and maintain labour plans, budgets, billing schedules, margin targets and WIP tracking in Rapport 3 Monitor sub-consultant costs vs progress, negotiate fee variations and track additional services Deliver clear, data-driven reporting to leadership using Rapport and Power BI Support project scope documentation, fee/resource scheduling and change control processes Drive standardisation of financial frameworks across studios Strengthen risk management through consistent financial and operational controls Legal, Contract & QA Lead preparation and negotiation of project appointments and contracts (including RIBA and bespoke forms) Maintain contract templates, PI certifications, GDPR alignment and central repositories Monitor contractual compliance, programme adjustments, fee changes and risk provisions Support design teams with quality assurance milestone tracking within project systems The skills that will set you up to succeed: Degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics or related field 8+ years' post-qualification finance management experience Strong experience in project-led environments, managing budgets, resourcing, fee structures and WIP Exposure to professional services, design studio, or project finance settings ideally architecture or adjacent industries a plus Fluent in Dutch and English Advanced Excel skills and systems confidence (Rapport 3, Accounts IQ, Sage, Oracle Micros/Simphony, Power BI familiarity) High integrity, analytical mindset, structured thinking and exceptional attention to detail Clear communicator able to influence, partner and guide at leadership level Collaborative, dependable, and commercially curious Why this role matters: This is a role for someone who wants to: Bring financial clarity to creative ambition Influence project profitability at scale Build robust frameworks across an international studio network Lead through partnership, insight, and governance If you thrive in environments where projects are complex, teams are global, and outcomes define skylines, this is your seat at the table.#J-18808-Ljbffr