Financial Assistant/Controller

Job Title
ESNS is looking for an experienced financial staff member / controller (mid-level/senior) who will be responsible for the financial management of ESNS.

ESNS is an event consisting of many sub-events that take place simultaneously and consecutively in January. A relatively large amount of money is spent by many people in a short period of time. A firm grip on finances is essential for the organization’s continuity. ESNS is partially funded by national, provincial, and municipal grants. In addition, we apply for funding from private foundations and receive two major European project grants. As a result, a monthly budget for a grant application or a settlement for an accountability report must be prepared. We are looking for someone who, together with the Head of Operations, will further develop financial management and financial awareness.

What will you be doing?

• You will oversee and monitor the preparation and implementation of financial policy and support the Head of Operations in this regard.
• You will support budget managers in preparing the necessary, clear sub-budgets for projects and ensure their implementation. You will ensure that the financial records and administrative procedures comply with the requirements of our various granting agencies.
• You are responsible for overseeing financial reports and statements, such as summaries of the budget, actual results, and the annual financial statements.
• Our accounting is outsourced toOZCAR, but there needs to be close coordination between you and the external accountant. You will provide analyses, breakdowns, and details, and you are well-versed in the specific context of ESNS to ensure accurate translations.
• You monitor and report on costs and cash flow trends. You monitor the financial position and results of the company.
• You will oversee external accounting and tax audits and independently manage external contacts in the field of finance.
• You will be responsible for preparing and conducting specific project audits.
• You are responsible for implementing and keeping up-to-date the equipment and setup of the financial administration. You manage financial administrative systems, work methods, and procedures
• You provide the external administrator responsible for personnel and payroll administration with the necessary information.
• You will oversee the tax returns in collaboration with the external accountant.
• You will oversee the accurate and timely processing and payment of all purchase invoices and other expenses.
• You will ensure the timely and accurate collection of all revenue and its processing: ticket sales, grants, sponsorships, and sales, cost allocations, etc.
• You assign invoices to the appropriate person in charge (“tag” them) within the Basecone invoicing system.
• You provide financial information and advice to the Head of Operations (and other Management Team members) and work together to develop financial policy.
• The complexity of the event and its sub-events means you need to stay focused year-round and keep track of schedules and deadlines. But we also expect flexibility in your commitment. ESNS experiences its peak workload from December through February.

Who are we looking for?
We’re looking for a financial thinker with a keen eye for detail who is also definitely a doer.

• You have extensive and verifiable experience (at least 5 years) as the person responsible for financial administration, preparing (project) budgets and final financial reports.
• You will ensure close monitoring of the finances, with an eye for detail and a focus on the people in the organization.
• You're used to working with targets and deadlines. You can handle stress well and have a proactive attitude.
• You enjoy contributing ideas on how to optimize financial processes and revenue streams.
• You have good social skills and are able to communicate effectively with many different types of people.
• You have a higher vocational education (HBO) or university-level level of work and thinking; a relevant degree is required.
• You have excellent language skills, both spoken and written, in Dutch and English.
• You have up-to-date professional knowledge and experience with accounting software. We use Twinfield, Basecone, NMBRS, and WeFact. Experience with these or similar programs is a must.
• Work experience in the music or events industry, or at a publicly funded organization, is a plus.

What do we offer?
You’ll be working in a flat-structured professional Operations team, in a collegial, no-nonsense, enjoyable, and results-oriented atmosphere.

We offer a one-year contract or one-year assignment in connection with our internationally renowned event, with the prospect of and desire for a longer-term commitment. Work in an ambitious organization with employees throughout the Netherlands and partners both at home and abroad. Our headquarters are in Groningen, and we have a small office in Amsterdam-Noord. You’ll work 4 days a week for ESNS; you may work from home 1 day a week if desired, and you’ll be expected to alternate between working at our offices in Amsterdam or Groningen. We offer a part-time contract or assignment agreement based on scale 7 in accordance withthe Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Pop Venues and Festivals 2021. In addition, there are fringe benefits such as travel expense reimbursement, coaching hours, home office facilities, a travel budget for festivals, and for salaried employees: laptop allowance, vacation pay, and pension. The position starts on July 1, or as soon as possible.

Are you interested?
If you have any questions about this job opening or would like more information, please contactDaniële Streep (Head of Operations);daniele.streep@esns.nl or 050 744 03 1. If you’re interested in this position, please send your cover letter and resume to office@esns.nl by May 29, 2022. Interviews will take place on June 9 and 10.

About ESNS
For more than 35 years, Groningen has been turned upside down for a few days every January by ESNS, the European music platform for more than 4,000 music professionals, over 350 European acts annually, and thousands of music lovers. ESNS’s mission is to generate more attention for European pop music and to offer European artists an effective springboard to international success. Its main activities include the conference, the Eurosonic and Noorderslag festivals, and two European projects: the Music Moves Europe Awards and the ESNS Exchange program. For the period 2021–2024, ESNS receives structural funding from the national government, the province, the municipality of Groningen, and the European Commission.

In the coming years, we will be strongly committed to the following priorities: putting Dutch and European artists front and center worldwide, sustainability, inclusivity, and rejuvenation. The organization operates in accordance with three codes: the Diversity & Inclusion Code, the Fair Practice Code, and the Cultural Governance Code. ESNS aims to be a circular, zero-waste event by 2025 and strives to ensure that its organization fairly reflects society. We invite everyone, from all cultural and social backgrounds, to apply.

ESNS is organized into the following departments: Operations, Programming, Production, Business & Development, and Marketing.