Country Finance Manager - Italy

Job Description

Are you an accomplished finance professional with a talent for aligning financial expertise with strategic business objectives? My client is seeking a dynamic Country Finance Manager to provide financial leadership for the Italian market, overseeing a diverse range of products and entities.

In this role, you will drive financial planning and reporting, deliver insightful analysis, and provide expert guidance to senior leaders.

You’ll take the lead in ensuring compliance and governance while spearheading transformational projects, such as Oracle implementation and continuous process optimisation.

This position blends strategic thinking with operational excellence, creating opportunities to shape both financial performance and business success.

You will play a pivotal role in a fast-moving environment, collaborating with a talented, international team and making a meaningful impact.

As the Country Finance Manager, your role will include:

• Business Partnering: Lead budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, and performance reporting to support strategic decision-making; advise senior leadership including Country Manager and CFO
• Financial Governance: Oversee financial operations, ensure compliance with policies and regulatory requirements, and manage audits, statutory filings, and tax matters
• Legal Oversight: Handle legal governance, including consumer law, employment law, school accreditation, and board responsibilities such as AGM and reporting
• Operational Excellence: Manage contract reviews, administrative tasks, and collaboration with HR on payroll, contracts, and compliance
• Transformation Initiatives: Drive continuous improvement and lead Oracle module implementation for enhanced efficiency across finance and business operations
• Strategic Projects: Identify trends and improvement opportunities through financial analysis, contributing to pricing strategy and cost control initiatives

Skills Required:

• Experience: 10-15 years of progressive experience in Finance, with a strong background in financial planning, reporting, and analysis, ideally within an international or multi-entity environment
• Leadership & Collaboration: Proven ability to partner with senior stakeholders (e.g., Country Managers, CFOs) and lead cross-functional initiatives, including finance transformations
• Technical Expertise: Proficient in financial systems and tools, with hands-on experience in ERP implementation (e.g., Oracle) and a solid understanding of tax, compliance, and governance frameworks
• Analytical & Strategic Thinking: Strong analytical skills with a track record of identifying trends, driving cost control, and contributing to strategic decision-making
• Legal & Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with legal governance, consumer law, employment law, and board protocols, with the ability to navigate complex regulatory environments
• Languages: Fluency in English and Italian

EMEA Recruitment is committed to promoting Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace. We act as a neutral third party in the recruitment process, basing our candidate searches on skills and experience. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, sex, relationship status, disability, race, religion/beliefs, or sexual orientation.