Head of Finance (French speaker)

Head of Finance (French speaker) About Us At Nextlane , we don’t just develop software solutions – we create the future of the automotive industry. We are a company that combines advanced technology with a clear vision: simplifying and digitizing every step of the automotive customer journey, empowering manufacturers and dealerships to thrive in a constantly evolving market. We believe in the value of every team member, offering opportunities for you to develop and contribute to meaningful solutions. So… What does it mean to be a #Nextlaner? Be part of a growth-oriented culture . Collaborate with colleagues from all over the world. Believe in the Power of ideas and the diversity of thought . Be committed to provide an environment where you can learn, grow, and collaborate on projects that make a global impact. Our success is measured not just by results, but also by the growth and satisfaction of those who are part of our company. At Nextlane, you’ll have the opportunity to innovate , push boundaries , and work on solutions that are transforming the automotive world. Your Responsibilities: As a key member of the team, you will be responsible for: Financial Governance & Accounting Standards Establish and enforce consistent accounting policies, standards, and procedures across all locations and entities in the Group Implement controls to ensure accounting accuracy Own all global accounting and treasury processes Ensure regulatory compliance (Local accounting standards, IFRS and audits) Lead internal audits and maintain relationships with external auditors Optimize asset and liability utilization and provide management and ownership with detailed understanding of the balance sheet movements Process Optimization & Transformation Design, implement, and manage a global chart of accounts and accounting system architecture Redesign accounting workflows to eliminate manual, error-prone processes and position for automation and introduction of agentic AI initiatives Establish controlling centers of excellence (consolidation, inter-company accounting, accruals, month-end procedures) Lead the transformation from regional "shadow" processes to centralized, efficient and scalable functions Manage the transition of accounting operations from distributed to centralized delivery models Team Leadership & Organization Design Build and lead a high-performing global controlling team through supporting a number of direct reports Recruit, develop, and mentor senior accounting and controlling talent Establish clear career paths and performance management systems Manage the transition of finance headcount from regional operations to functional organization Team is physically distributed across France and Spain, managing a portfolio of legal entities across Europe Financial Planning & Business Partnering Partner with CFO and FP&A function to ensure underlying accounting data is supportive of reporting requirements, business KPI’s and operational and strategic decision-making Responsibility for cash flow forecasting and deviation analysis Technology & Automation Partner with CFO to evaluate and implement finance automation tools (RPA, agentic AI, advanced analytics) Design controlling function with automation in mind; identify high-impact automation opportunities Ensure data quality and system architecture support advanced analytics and machine learning Stakeholder Management Act as senior finance voice to external auditors, regulators, and local boards Communicate finance operations roadmap to executive leadership Work with operations managers to optimize financial outcomes, such as for example cash collection strategies Facilitate cross-regional collaboration and knowledge sharing among accounting teams Represent finance in merger, acquisition, and subsidiary integration activities What We're Looking For: Experience: 10+ years in accounting, controlling, or finance operations roles ; 5+ years in a leadership role (managing teams of 5+) ; 3+ years working in a global, multi-entity, or multinational environment Languages: Native level in french and C1 level in English are mandatory (Interview will be conducted in both languages) Communication: Strong communication skills, both verbal and written. Technical Skills: Track record of process transformation and operational efficiency improvement ; Demonstrated success modifying and optimizing accounting systems or shared service models (ideally) ; Mastery of IFRS, French accounting standards, and local GAAP requirements ; Strong understanding of consolidated financial reporting, inter-company accounting, and group controls ; Proficiency in accounting and ERP systems, data management, and business intelligence tools Interpersonal Skills: Ability to collaborate in a diverse and dynamic environment. Familiarity with automation technologies (RPA, AI, process mining) or demonstrated ability to learn quickly Our Recruitment Process: 45-minute introductory call with our Talent Acquisition Specialist. Technical interview with our CFO Final interview with the CFO and one member of the team What We Offer: We understand that flexibility and trust are essential for our teams. Here are some of the benefits we offer: 🏡 Remote Work: Up to 3 days a week! Work-life balance: We have flexible entrance and departure time. Summer schedule on Fridays: Start early your weekends! 🤝 Referral Bonus: €1500 for every talent you refer (after 6 months). 🍱 Flexible Remuneration: COBEE platform. ⚕️ Private Medical Insurance: Adeslas. 📚 Continuous Learning: Access to our internal platform for continuous development. 🌴 Vacation: 23 vacation days plus an intensive schedule in July and August. Teambuilding: Our afterworks and activities are memorable! Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging At Nextlane, we are committed to creating a space where everyone feels valued and respected . We firmly believe that diversity in experiences and backgrounds strengthens our culture and drives innovation. Support for people with disabilities. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, let us know so we can provide the best possible experience. Equal opportunities for all: We welcome applications regardless of age, gender, origin, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. Join Nextlane and become part of the technological revolution in the automotive industry. Discover why we are a great place to develop your talent! Department General&Administration Locations Spain - Madrid Remote status Hybrid About Nextlane At Nextlane, we connect every part of the automotive value chain—dealers, OEMs, dealer groups, and technology partners—through one open, secure, and smart platform for automotive retail software. Our platform removes fragmentation by unifying DMS and CRM workflows into one connected Sales and After-Sales ecosystem—ensuring consistent data, smoother integrations, and more efficient operations across sales, service, and back-office teams. AI is increasingly embedded across our solutions, enhancing how dealers and OEMs work every day. New AI-driven capabilities improve quality, automate routine tasks, and strengthen data accuracy—bringing more intelligence and speed to sales and after-sales processes. Built on a cloud-native architecture, the Nextlane Platform delivers the scalability, security, and performance modern dealerships and OEMs need. It connects our DMS and CRM solutions with OEM systems and third-party apps, ensuring compliance, uptime, and future-ready innovation. With 700 experts supporting 10,000 dealerships in 11 countries and integrating 60+ OEM brands, Nextlane is Europe’s largest connected automotive software platform—accelerating digital transformation and continuous operational improvement. Our growing Partner Ecosystem brings together leading third-party innovators to extend platform value—helping dealerships automate workflows, boost performance, enhance customer experiences, and stay ahead of industry change. Coworkers +700