Head Of Finance (Milan Based)

We are looking for a Head of Finance who will act not only as the financial leader of the company, but also as a strategic and operational partner to the executive team — and a credible face of the company toward investors, board members, and institutional stakeholders.

This is a hands‑on, high‑impact role for someone who wants to shape the financial and operational backbone of a scaling AI company.

The Head of Finance will have a day‑to‑day impact on company operations, financial strategy, and execution. This role goes beyond classic finance: we are looking for a business‑oriented leader who can connect numbers to decisions, strategy to execution, and vision to discipline.

You will be a key voice in strategic planning, operational prioritization, and organizational clarity, while ensuring strong financial control and scalability across multiple geographies. You will also represent the company in high‑stakes conversations with venture capital firms, institutional investors, and public grant bodies.

Key Objectives

• Own and evolve the company’s financial strategy in alignment with growth, fundraising, and international expansion
• Ensure financial discipline, cash control, and forecasting accuracy in a fast‑scaling SaaS environment
• Act as a bridge between finance, operations, sales, and leadership
• Represent the company credibly and autonomously with top‑tier VCs, institutional investors, and board members
• Manage and optimize the company’s grants and public funding portfolio
• Prepare the organization for future fundraising rounds, M&A, and scale‑up phases

Responsibilities

Financial Leadership

• Own cash management, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and financial planning
• Coordinate annual operating and strategic plans, including multi‑country budgets
• Ensure healthy cash flow aligned with operational needs and growth plans
• Develop and implement financial controls, processes, and best practices suitable for scale
• Oversee accounting, reporting, and compliance across jurisdictions (Italy, Spain, France, GCC)

Investor Relations & Board Management

• Serve as a primary point of contact for investors, managing ongoing relationships with VC firms and institutional stakeholders
• Prepare and deliver board materials, financial updates, and strategic presentations
• Represent the company in investor meetings, due diligence processes, and fundraising conversations
• Coordinate board meeting logistics, follow‑ups, and governance requirements
• Build and maintain relationships with top‑tier VCs for current and future funding rounds

Grants & Public Funding

• Identify, apply for, and manage public grants, R&D tax credits, and institutional funding programs (EU, national, regional)
• Ensure compliance with grant requirements, reporting obligations, and audit processes
• Optimize the company’s funding mix between equity, debt, and non‑dilutive capital

Strategic & Operational Partnership

• Translate strategic goals into operational plans, KPIs, and financial implications
• Support hiring plans, org design decisions, and cost structure optimization
• Monitor business performance with tracking tools and drive corrective actions when needed
• Improve cross‑team workflows, clarity, and accountability through data and structure

Growth, Fundraising & Risk

• Lead financial modeling, scenario analysis, and capital structure planning
• Research revenue opportunities and economic trends, identify areas for cost reduction and process enhancement
• Manage risk through analysis of liabilities, contracts, and investments
• Support potential M&A or strategic partnership evaluations
• Prepare data rooms, investor decks, and due diligence materials

People & Systems

• Manage finance team and oversee external providers (accounting, payroll, legal, tax)
• Ensure finance systems, tools, and reporting infrastructure scale with the business
• Collaborate with HR on compensation, incentives, and headcount

Required Skills & Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in senior finance or leadership roles
• Proven experience managing investor relations and interacting with VC firms and boards
• Track record in fundraising processes (Series A/B/C) or corporate finance transactions
• Strong business acumen with a hands‑on, execution‑oriented mindset
• Proven ability to operate in fast‑growing, ambiguous environments
• Excellent verbal, written, and visual communication skills — able to present confidently to sophisticated investors
• Solid understanding of accounting, financial controls, tax planning, and regulatory frameworks
• Fluent English and Italian, Spanish is a plus

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in SaaS or subscription‑based business models
• International finance exposure (multi‑entity, multi‑country)
• Experience managing EU or national grants and public funding programs
• Experience in M&A, corporate development, or strategic finance
• Background combining finance with operations, strategy, or consulting
• Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or equivalent experience
• Professional certification (CPA, ACA, CFA, or equivalent) is a plus
• Familiarity with ERP and financial planning tools

Why do you apply?

• Direct exposure to executive leadership, board, and top‑tier investors
• Real influence on strategy, execution, and company trajectory
• Opportunity to represent the company in high‑level institutional conversations
• International scope across Europe and the GCC
• A company entering a decisive scale‑up phase — not a “maintenance” role
• Competitive compensation package + equity participation

Contents is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate candidates regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, or disability.

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