Head of Finance -Education Consultancy Firm

Our client:

We are a consultancy firm wholly owned by a non-profit foundation. We work with decision-makers in the public and non-profit sectors, providing them with insights, processes and tools that encourage reflection and enable them to better fulfil their mission.

Our services can take many forms: a strategic or analytical report, a business intelligence tool, a participatory workshop, a coaching session, the moderation of a discussion, a political recommendation, etc.

But if the form varies, the core is always the same: what matters to us is to help leaders make better, more informed and more accountable decisions for the benefit of citizens.

Based in Barcelona, you will work full-time as the Head of Finance. You will lead the company’s financial planning and controlling, supporting financial stability and commercially sound decision-making. You will oversee financial operations, compliance, cash flow, and risk management in coordination with internal members and external providers, and support leadership with financial modelling and scenario analysis to inform strategic development.

You will be part of the Executive Office, currently composed of HR, Procurement, and Accounting functions. You will need to coordinate effectively with these areas as well as with 6 Business Leaders and a team of more than 35 consultants with different degrees of expertise, seniority, and thematic specialisation.

As Head of Finance, your key responsibilities will be:

Financial Planning, Controlling and Commercial Performance

• Lead financial planning and controlling processes.

• Partner with Project Directors to co-design pricing strategies and monitor project profitability, commercial pipeline forecasting and resource allocation, when needed.

• Support leadership with financial and commercial data-driven insights, modelling, scenario analysis and strategic recommendations related to the company’s development.

• Monitor cash flow, liquidity, receivables and payment cycles to maintain financial stability.

Financial Operations and Compliance

• Oversee accounting operations, ensuring accuracy, compliance and effective financial management.

• Ensure appropriate financial controls, risk management practices and compliance processes are in place.

• Coordinate finance team members and external financial advisors, auditors and financial service providers as required.

Systems, Reporting and Business Intelligence

• Develop and maintain financial dashboards, KPI reporting and business intelligence tools to support financial and commercial decision-making.

• Oversee the implementation and optimisation of financial digital systems

Who you are

• You hold a Bachelor’s and Master’s (MSc, MA, or M.S) degree in Business Administration, Finance, Economics or a related field.

• You have relevant experience in consulting, professional services or related sectors, with demonstrated experience in financial leadership within fast-paced, entrepreneurial environments.

• You have strong commercial expertise, including pricing, margin management, reporting processes.profitability and revenue optimisation, and a proven ability to support executive leadership in strategic decision-making.

• You combine proven strategic and financial leadership capabilities with a hands-on mindset, balancing strategic oversight with effective execution.

• You have advanced analytical and business intelligence skills, including KPI development and dashboard management.

• You are able to perform effectively in agile, fast-paced and evolving environments, with strong problem-solving, prioritisation and decision-making abilities.

• You have a proven ability to work as an integrated peer within cross-functional support teams (HR, Tendering, and Administration), ensuring financial alignment without creating bureaucratic silos.

• You have experience in consulting or professional services, and you know how to track project-based margins and utilization rates.

• You have an excellent working knowledge of English and Spanish.

• You are a firm believer in the positive impact of public services and policies to society and are seeking to contribute to it.

• You are open to dialogue, feedback and constructive criticism, and you enjoy challenging discussions in a research-driven, science-based environment.

Nice to have

While you don't need to be an expert in all the skills listed below, it would be an advantage if you have an understanding and fluency in at least some of them:

• Previous experience in consulting or professional services firms.

• Knowledge of the higher education, research and innovation sector.

• Experience in companies with foundation ownership or hybrid governance structures.

• Familiarity with financial digital systems (ERP, BI tools).

• Catalan language skills.

• You understand—or can quickly adapt to—the higher education and research sector, including university structures, innovation funding, specific pricing/contracting rules, and the management of R+D grants and subsidies.

Contract

• Full time position (37,5 hours/week) located in the Barcelona office.

• Salary range is dependent on experience and in line with industry standards.

• After a successful 6-month trial period, the contract will become permanent.

• Hybrid work model, meaning that partial remote work is an established practice within the company.

Benefits

• 33 days of vacation and an extra holiday on your birthday

• Flexible working hours and support for work-life balance.

• Complimentary Health insurance included after three months.

• Specific bonus tickets are provided to cover either public transportation, childcare, restaurants, or gym memberships after three months.

• You will have a workstation in a shared office and a laptop with the operating system of your choice.

• Our lively office is located in downtown Barcelona, close to the old cathedral.

• We cover all work and travel-related expenses.

• We are committed to maintaining an ethical and sustainable working environment.

Join our team!
If you want to develop professionally, contribute your financial expertise, and be part of an innovative and multidisciplinary environment, apply now and take the next step in your career.

You can email us at: [email protected]

We look forward to receiving your application!