Finance Manager

• Position: Finance Manager
  
• FTE: 0.8/1.0 FTE, 32–40 hours per week, 4–5 days per week  
  
• Location: Amsterdam (office + remote)
  
• Start Date: July 1, 2025
  
• Duration: 12 months, with the possibility of extension.

• Application Deadline: May 11, 2025
  
• Selection: May 13, 2025
  
• 1st Round: May 19 & 20, 2025 (in-person)
  
• 2nd Round: May 26 & 27, 2025 (in-person) 
  

Organization Profile 

ELIA is Europe’s leading multidisciplinary network in higher education and research. With nearly 300 members, we are a globally connected knowledge community dedicated to peer learning, international collaboration, and advocacy. ELIA’s work includes organizing international events, facilitating cross-institutional working groups, participating in research and innovation projects, and publishing influential policy papers. Based in Amsterdam’s creative hub, A-Lab, ELIA is a member association funded through the Creative Europe program. Our work culture is open and participatory, with a focus on key outcomes and continuous learning and development. 

Candidate Profile 

As Finance Manager, you play a vital role in safeguarding ELIA’s financial health and operational resilience. Working closely with the Executive Director and Treasurer, you help shape and implement financial plans that align with ELIA’s strategic goals. Through precise financial management, resource and capacity planning, as well as strategic analysis, you empower the team to make impactful, informed decisions that support long-term growth. You ensure compliance with legal and regulatory standards, manage risks effectively, and maintain robust controls over the organization’s financial and operational processes. As a member of the ELIA Management Team, you will supervise the Finance Administrator, who is responsible for day-to-day financial administration, including payroll, invoicing, and bookkeeping.

Tasks and Responsibilities 

Financial Operations & Compliance:Superviseand oversee day-to-day accounting tasks, including accounts payable and receivable, invoicing, bank reconciliations, payroll, tax administration, and maintaining accurate financial records. Ensure full compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, implementing best practices to safeguard financial integrity. Coach and support the team handling these tasks, especially the Finance Administrator, to ensure adherence to financial processes and accuracy.   

Budgeting & Financial Planning:Collaboratewith the Executive Director and the Management Team to develop and monitor annual budgets, forecasts, and financial plans aligned with ELIA’s strategic goals. Multi-year budgeting and revenue forecasting. Track expenses, manage cash flow and reserves, and provide timely financial insights to leadership. Provide guidance to the team to ensure timely and accurate budget monitoring.

Financial Reporting & Analysis:Prepareand present monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports; analyze trends; and provide actionable and strategic insights to the Executive Director, Executive Group, Management Team, and staff to support effective decision-making across the organization. 

Risk Management & Income Generation:Identifyfinancial risks and maintain resilience through sound controls and planning. Optimize the use of ELIA’s reserves and explore responsible income-generating strategies, including low-risk investment opportunities.

Project & Grant Financial Oversight:Manageproject and grant budgets (particularly those related to EU funding), ensuring compliance with funding guidelines. Prepare accurate financial reports for stakeholders and assist staff in creating project budgets, as well as tracking and reporting on project finances.

Membership Billing & Collections:Oversee the timely and accurate billing of membership fees and the follow-up of outstanding payments, ensuring transparency and consistency in communication with members in collaboration with relevant team members and ELIA’s collections agency, while acknowledging the complexity of the international environment in which this takes place. Adjust membership fees on an annual basis.

Preferred but not required:

 ICT Liaison:Coordinatethe development of ELIA’s ICT infrastructure to ensure that effective digital tools and systems support the organization’s operations. Serve as the liaison between team needs and external ICT support providers.

Candidate Profile

Skills and Competencies

• A strong foundation in financial management and accounting, with proven experience in leading budgeting cycles, financial planning, and forecasting processes that align with broader institutional goals. 
  
• You have a solid command of Dutch accounting principles and operational finance, but your strength lies in your ability to see the bigger picture—guiding leadership with financial analysis, scenario planning, and risk assessment. You are adept at translating financial data into strategic insights to support sound decision-making. 
  
• Experience supervising staff responsible for invoicing, reconciliations, payroll, audits, and compliance with financial regulations.
  
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to confidently prepare and present complex financial reports to both internal teams and external stakeholders, ensuring clarity and alignment with organizational goals. You understand the importance of cross-departmental collaboration and embrace a culture of accountability and financial transparency.
  

Work Style

• You take the initiative and bring a hands-on, can-do attitude to your work. 
  
• You thrive in both independent and collaborative settings, communicating updates regularly and openly. 
  
• Accuracy and attention to detail come naturally to you. You are committed to continuous learning—especially when it comes to adopting tools and practices that improve efficiency.

Qualifications & Experience

• Relevant higher education degree (e.g., Finance, Accounting, Business Administration). 
  
• At least 5 years of experience working in a finance role, ideally within the cultural or nonprofit sector. 
  
• Fluency in both English and Dutch is essential.

Desirable

• Familiarity with the European higher arts education landscape and related funding opportunities is a plus. 
  
• Experience with tools such as Exact Online, Basecone, SRXP, PowerBI, Timechimp, and Monday.com is also a plus. 
  
• Experience with IT systems or working with external IT providers is a plus.
  
• A passion for the arts and culture is a plus. 
  

 What ELIA offers  

• A great professional opportunity in the international creative sector at a growing and internationally recognized organization. 
  
• Friendly and passionate colleagues and the opportunity to work in a creative and inspiring office space in Amsterdam.
  
• 25 days of vacation for full-time employees. 
  
• Opportunity to work remotely.
  
• Salary range from €5,051 to €5,871 based on a full-time salary, depending on experience.  
  
• Allowance for working from home, commuting, and telephone expenses. 
  

 Application Process

Please submit your resume and cover letter addressed to Maria Hansen, Executive Director. Questions may be directed to Joana Alves, HR and Operations Manager, atjoana.alves@elia-artschools.org or+31 (0) 20 330 1116.

ELIA is committed to being an equal opportunity employer and fostering a diverse team that reflects the broader society. ELIA welcomes applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds.