Finance Manager

• Position: Finance Manager
  
• FTE: 0.8/1.0 FTE, 32-40 H/week, 4-5 days per week  
  
• Location: Amsterdam (office + remote)
  
• Start Date: 1 JULY 2025
  
• Duration: 12 months, with the possibility to extend.

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

Organisation Profile 

ELIA is Europe's leading multi-disciplinary network in higher education and research. Powered by almost 300 members, we are a globally connected knowledge community for peer-learning, international collaboration and advocacy. ELIA’s work includes the organisation of international events, the facilitation of cross-institutional working groups, participation in research and innovation projects, and the publication of influential policy papers. Based in Amsterdam’s creative hub, A-Lab, ELIA is a member association funded through the Creative Europe programme. Our work culture is open and participative, with a focus on key outcomes and continuous learning and development. 

Candidate Profile 

As Finance Manager, you play an essential 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 money management, resource and capacity planning, as well as strategic analysis, you empower the team to make impactful, informed decisions that sustain long-term growth. You ensure compliance with legal and regulatory standards, manage risks effectively, and maintain robust controls over the organisation’s financial and operational processes.  As a member of the ELIA Management Team, you will supervise the Finance Administrator, who is responsible for the day-to-day financial administration, including payroll, invoicing, and bookkeeping.

Tasks and Responsibilities 

Financial Operations & Compliance: Supervise and oversee day-to-day accounting tasks, including accounts payable/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: Collaborate with 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 income 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: prepare and present monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports, analyse trends, and provide actionable and strategic insights to the Executive Director, Executive Group, Management Team, and staff to support impactful decision-making across the organisation. 

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

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

Membership Invoicing & Collection: Oversee the timely and accurate invoicing 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 collection agency, recognising the complexity of the international environment in which this occurs. Recalibrate membership fees on an annual basis.

Desirable but not essential:

 ICT Liaison: Coordinate the development of ELIA’s ICT infrastructure to ensure effective digital tools and systems support the organisation’s operations. Act as the link between team needs and external ICT support providers.

Candidate Profile

Skills and Competencies

• 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. 
  
• 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 with supervising staff taking care of invoicing, reconciliations, payroll, audits and compliance with financial regulations.
  
• Excellent communication skills and comfortable preparing and presenting complex financial reports to both internal teams and external stakeholders, ensuring clarity and alignment with organisational goals.  You understand the importance of cross-departmental collaboration, and you embrace a culture of accountability and financial transparency.
  

Working Style

• You take initiative and bring a hands-on, can-do approach to your work. 
  
• You thrive in both independent and collaborative settings, communicating developments regularly and openly. 
  
• Accuracy and attention to detail are second nature 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, Accountancy, Business Administration). 
  
• At least 5 years of experience working in a finance role, ideally within the cultural or non-profit sector. 
  
• Fluency in both English and Dutch is essential.

Desirable

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

 What ELIA offers  

• A great professional opportunity in the international creative sector in a growing and internationally recognised organisation. 
  
• Friendly and passionate colleagues and the opportunity to work from a creative and inspiring workspace in Amsterdam.
  
• 25 vacation days on a full-time basis. 
  
• Opportunity to work remotely.
  
• Salary range from € 5.051 - € 5.871 on the basis of a full-time salary, dependent on experience.  
  
• Allowance for home office, travel to work and telephone. 
  

 Application procedure

Please apply with your CV and motivation letter addressed to Maria Hansen, Executive Director. Questions can be addressed to Joana Alves, HR and Operations Manager at joana.alves@elia-artschools.org, +31 (0) 20 330 1116

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