Senior Finance Manager - Network of European Foundations

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 service of a meaningful mission.

About NEF:

The Network of European Foundations (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 levels. By enabling foundations to pool resources and jointly fund large-scale initiatives, NEF fosters strategic collaboration at scale. Based at the Philanthropy House in Brussels, NEF oversees 8 collaborative initiatives for a total managed budget of approximately € 20 million and holds financial responsibility for all its hosted projects.

Main responsabilities

• 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 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

Qualifications

• Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 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 donors reporting
• Experience in grantmaking and financial due diligence is preferred
• Managerial experience is a plus

Skills & traits

• 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

What we offer

• An indefinite, full-time (37.5 hours per week) contract based in Brussels

• Salary between Belgian gross 4.900€ et 5.800€  according to experience paid over 13,92 months
• A comprehensive benefits package, including meal vouchers, extra-legal holidays, a pension scheme, hospitalisation insurance, homeworking and phone allowances, and flexible remote working (up to 2 days per week)
• The 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

How to Apply

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.

• Applications without cover letters will be dismissed.
• Please upload the required information via Workable Application Page. If you are on the page, please click the button at the bottom 'Apply for this job'. Thank you.
• The application deadline is Friday 19 June 12:00 CET. First round of interview will take place in person at NEF Office (Philanthropy House, Rue Royale 94, 1000 Brussels) on June 23 and June 24.
• EU Citizenship or a Belgian Residence Permit status required for this role.