Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) – Italy (Future European Scope)

Company: Global Leading Automotive Group

Location: Italy(Remote or Hybrid）

Reporting to: Global CFO

Position Overview

Our client, a global leading automotive company with a strong international footprint, is undergoing a significant expansion of its Italian business. To support this growth, the company is seeking an experienced and strategic Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to lead all financial operations in Italy and build a high-performing finance organization from the ground up.

This role will act as the senior-most finance leader for the Italian market, overseeing financial strategy, planning, governance, compliance, and business partnering. As the business scales, the CFO will have the potential to take on an expanded European regional leadership scope , supporting operations across multiple markets.

Key Responsibilities

1. Financial Leadership & Strategy

• Develop and execute the financial strategy for the Italian business aligned with the company’s global strategic objectives.
• Act as a key business partner to the Italy Managing Director and leadership team.
• Drive financial planning, forecasting, investment evaluation, and long-term growth modelling.
• Provide strong insights to support market expansion, product launches, and new investments.

2. Financial Operations & Control

• Establish robust financial processes, systems, and governance for the Italian entity.
• Ensure full compliance with Italian statutory requirements, tax regulations, corporate policies, and internal controls.
• Oversee accounting, financial reporting, payroll, treasury, and cash-flow management.
• Build, lead, and develop a high-quality local finance team.

3. Business Performance Management

• Lead budgeting, performance tracking, and margin optimization.
• Provide analytical insights to improve pricing, cost structure, supply chain efficiency, and operational profitability.
• Monitor key financial KPIs and proactively manage risks and opportunities.

4. Investment & Growth Support

• Support evaluation of expansion projects, new facilities, partnerships, and M&A opportunities in Italy.
• Lead financial due diligence, modeling, risk assessment, and post-integration financial processes.
• Partner with global teams to secure funding and align capital allocation with growth priorities.

5. Regional & Global Collaboration

• Act as the principal liaison between the Italy business and the Global Finance organization.
• Ensure consistent financial governance, reporting standards, and operational alignment.
• As the business grows, play a pivotal role in shaping the future European finance structure and potentially take on a wider regional CFO responsibilities.

6. Leadership & Organizational Development

• Build a scalable finance organization capable of supporting rapid business expansion.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to senior executives, providing transparency, challenge, and financial leadership.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

Qualifications & Experience

• 15+ years of progressive finance leadership experience, ideally within the automotive or advanced manufacturing sectors.
• Proven track record as a Finance Director, Country CFO, or comparable senior finance executive in Italy.
• Strong knowledge of Italian statutory accounting, tax, and regulatory frameworks.
• Experience building or scaling finance organizations during periods of growth or transformation.
• Strong business partnering capabilities and ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Experience in multinational organizations; comfortable operating within global matrix structures.
• Fluency in Italian and English required; additional European languages a plus.
• Experience supporting multi-country or European regional operations is an advantage.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic mindset and ability to align financial plans with business goals.
• Strong analytical and commercial acumen.
• Resilient, hands-on, and comfortable in fast-paced growth environments.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and negotiation skills.
• High integrity, professionalism, and commitment to governance excellence.

What This Opportunity Offers

• Lead the finance function of a major growth market for a global automotive leader.
• Build and shape the finance organization from early stages.
• Act as a key member of the Italian leadership team with direct visibility to global HQ.
• Strong potential for expanded European CFO responsibilities as the organization scales.