Finance Director

FSC works to take care of our forests and those who rely on them: by protecting plant and animal species, Indigenous Peoples’ rights, forest workers’ safety, and much more. They achieve this through FSC certification, ensuring forests around the world are responsibly managed. For more information on FSC, visit www.ic.fsc.org.

As part of its organisational transformation, FSC is building a modern, strategic, service-oriented finance function. The Finance Director will play a pivotal role in this journey - strengthening processes, embedding robust FP&A, and driving alignment between global and regional operations.

About the role

The Finance Director role encompasses accounting, FP&A, risk and compliance, treasury, and cash management, with a key first-year priority being the implementation of a new ERP system ahead of a 2027 go-live. Reporting to the COO, the Finance Director will collaborate closely with the Executive Team, Board, Finance Committee, regional leaders, donors, and external stakeholders, while leading a senior finance team including the Heads of Accounting Services, FP&A, and Risk & Compliance. Overseeing a financial scale of approximately USD 100m across three entities (Mexico; Germany non-profit and for-profit), this position offers the opportunity to shape a future-ready global finance organisation in service of FSC’s mission.

Key dimensions of the role

The Finance Director based in Bonn, Germany, will have responsibilities including, but not limited:

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Shape and deliver FSC’s financial strategy aligned with global priorities.
• Provide forward-looking analysis, investment cases, and scenario modelling for the Executive Team and Board.

Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)

• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and multi-year planning.
• Deliver variance analysis and cost-to-serve insights to support decision-making.

Accounting, Control & Reporting

• Ensure accurate month-end close, timely reporting, and risk/opportunity tracking.
• Oversee consolidation, treasury, and working capital management.
• Ensure compliance with IFRS/local GAAP, donor requirements, and statutory filings; coordinate audits.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Lead enterprise risk management and maintain compliance frameworks.
• Implement audit recommendations and corrective actions.

Regional Financial Oversight

• Standardise policies and reporting; strengthen regional finance capabilities.
• Partner with regional leaders to ensure alignment and transparency.

Systems & Transformation

• Sponsor ERP/finance systems programme; drive automation and digital reporting.
• Build a modern, service-oriented, data-driven finance function.

Leadership & People

• Lead and coach teams across Accounting, FP&A/Regions, and Risk & Compliance.
• Model integrity, accountability, and inclusive collaboration.
• Foster a business-partnering mindset within Finance.

Skills and experience

The desired candidate will have, but not be limited to:

• Professional accounting qualification (e.g. ACCA, ACA, CPA, CIMA) or equivalent.
• 12–15+ years’ senior finance experience, including 5+ years at FD/CFO level in complex, international organisations.
• Broad leadership across accounting, compliance, FP&A, risk and audit.
• Hands-on transformation expertise: process redesign, operating model change, ERP implementation.
• Proven ability to build high-performing teams and partner effectively with executives and Boards.
• Spanish fluency (strongly preferred); German an advantage.
• Experience integrating multi-entity, multi-jurisdiction finance operations (Mexico and Germany desirable).
• Familiarity with investment management topics (reserves, cash, FX risk/hedging).
• Sector experience in certification bodies, sustainability, or environmental NGOs.
• Strong knowledge of ERP and digital finance tools.

Leadership Competencies & Behaviours

• Strategic & systems thinker; balances mission impact and financial sustainability.
• Credible change leader who communicates, mobilises and sustains adoption.
• Strong business partner and influencer across cultures and functions.
• Results‑oriented, resilient, with sound judgement and high standards.
• Excellent communicator; translates finance for non‑financial audiences.
• Integrity, accountability and commitment to FSC values.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Research shows that individuals from underrepresented groups are less likely to apply for roles unless they meet every listed qualification. At Millar Cameron, we are committed to supporting our clients in building diverse and inclusive teams. If you’re enthusiastic about this role but don’t meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply - you could be exactly what our client is looking for, either for this position or another.

Please note that due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are only able to respond to candidates who are shortlisted for the next stage of the process. We sincerely appreciate your interest and the time taken to apply.

Since 2007 Millar Cameron has specialised in sourcing leadership and keyperson talent across a number of industries, including agribusiness, international development, industrial, consumer, financial and professional services, private equity, and technology, media and telecommunications. Our mission and purpose is to positively contribute to the development of Africa, and other emerging markets, through the provision of people.