Senior Finance Manager

Network of European Foundations

Hours
37.5 hours per week

About the Organisation

NEF is an association of leading European foundations dedicated to strengthening philanthropic cooperation. We fund and support civil society in its work for social inclusion, democracy, and international development at the European and global level. We aim for better and more strategic collaboration between foundations. NEF is based in Brussels, at the Philanthropy House, and it currently hosts 8 philanthropic collaboratives.

About the role

NEF is seeking a Senior Finance Manager to support robust and transparent financial management within a European organisation dedicated to philanthropic cooperation and the support of civil society. The successful candidate will contribute to NEF’s effectiveness as a high‑performing organisation by supporting the day‑to‑day financial operations of NEF and its hosted philanthropic collaboratives. In this role, you will help ensure accurate financial processing, monitoring, and reconciliation across systems, contributing to the reliability of financial data used for reporting and budgeting. The position reports to the Senior Finance Manager.

We are seeking an experienced Senior Finance Manager to take ownership of NEF's financial operations. This is a substantive role combining rigorous financial oversight, robust internal controls, and trusted relationships across a diverse ecosystem, including the NEF Operations Team, Projects teams, external auditors, accountants, and funding partners. The Senior Finance Manager strengthens NEF’s ability to operate as a high-performing, strategically aligned organisation in a context of growth and digitalisation across its finance and accounting functions.

Reporting to the Executive Director and managing the Finance Officer, the role spans three key areas: financial management of NEF, financial management of its hosted projects, and support to grantmaking. This is a role for a finance professional who combines technical depth with professional credibility, holds high standards for compliance and accuracy, and wants to put those skills in the service of a meaningful mission.

Responsibilities

Financial Management of NEF:

• Lead the day-to-day financial operations of the organisation, including payments, banking, cash flow management, and oversight of financial assets;
• Prepare and monitor organisational budgets, forecasts, and financial analyses for management and governance bodies;
• Coordinate relationships with external accountants and ensure compliance with Belgian legal and fiscal requirements;
• Oversee staff cost management across different countries, including payroll administration, financial follow-up, and compliance with local legal, fiscal, and employment requirements (Belgium, France, Germany);
• Coordinate external audits and strengthen internal financial procedures and risk management systems;
• Contribute to the improvement and digitalisation of administrative and financial management tools and systems.

Project Financial Oversight (Project Controlling):

• Ensure financial responsibility and oversight for all hosted projects - encompassing financial integrity, compliance, and reporting from inception through closure
• In cooperation with project leads, prepare, review, and validate budgets, forecasts, and financial reports for collaborative projects
• Monitor project budget availability in cooperation with project leads, and validate major spending decisions in line with donor requirements and internal procedures
• Ensure accurate recording, reconciliation, and monitoring of financial data across project systems
• Track donor income and oversee grant disbursements and financial compliance requirements
• Oversee financial due diligence processes for new donors and identify financial risks
• Lead the financial and administrative internal audit.

Grantmaking Financial Oversight In Coordination with the NEF Grantmaking Manager:

• Conduct financial due diligence assessments of potential grantees and partners to evaluate financial health, compliance, and risk exposure;
• Review budgets and financial reports to identify financial risks, inconsistencies, or compliance issues, and recommend corrective actions;
• Support grantmaking processes through financial analysis, compliance assessment, and risk management support to projects.

Skills, Competencies, Experience & Attributes

Experience:

• Minimum 8 years of experience in audit, controlling, finance, accounting, or financial administration
• Demonstrated experience in financial controls, compliance frameworks, and audit coordination
• Experience in managing private funds and in donor reporting.
• Experience in grantmaking and financial due diligence is preferred.
• Managerial experience is a plus.

Skills & Attributes:

• Strategic mindset combined with a hands-on and operational approach
• Rigorous and detail‑oriented, with strong organisational and numerical skills
• Proactive and solution-focused
• Collaborative and confident in a relationship-led, international environment
• Able to translate complex financial information into clear, accessible reporting
• Proficient with financial and accounting tools
• Deep commitment to mission-driven work, impact accountability, and inclusivity
• Professional working proficiency in English and French is a must.

Required Qualifications

• Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, and a related field

Compensation & Benefits

• A comprehensive benefits package,
• Meal vouchers
• Extra-legal holidays
• A pension scheme
• Hospitalisation insurance
• Homeworking and phone allowances, and flexible remote working (2 days per week)
• Opportunity to contribute to a mission‑driven organisation strengthening philanthropic cooperation and empowering civil society across Europe and beyond
• An inclusive work culture that values diversity within a driven team

Conditions of employment

• EU Citizenship or a Belgian Residence Permit status is required.

Working locations

• Hybrid model, working in the Brussels office and remotely

How to apply

• Applications without cover letters will be dismissed
• Please upload the required information via the Application Page using the Apply Now. Thank you
• The application deadline is Friday, 19th June 12:00 CET.

Interviews

• First round of the interview will take place in person at the NEF Office (Philanthropy House, Rue Royale 94, 1000 Brussels) on 23rd and 24th June 2026

Policies

NEF is committed to creating an inclusive working environment that values diversity and promotes equal opportunities. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, or background. Selection is based solely on skills, experience, and alignment with NEF’s mission and values. If you need any specific accommodation due to disability or any other reason, please let the recruiter know during your application process.

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