Finance Director

About the College: Welcome to the laboratory of European integration

The College of Europe is the oldest postgraduate institute of European studies, with campuses in Bruges (est. 1949), Natolin/Warsaw (est. 1992) and Tirana (est. 2024). Across the campuses, and under the motto of “studying and living Europe together”, the College hosts every year approximately 500 students of over 50 different nationalities, pursuing advanced Master’s programmes with a duration of 10 months in a residential format. Beyond a broad spectrum of additional executive education activities, the College also implements comprehensive training programmes for junior diplomats/officials from EU member states and the enlargement region.

Centred around its core educational and training activities, the College of Europe has the mission to contribute to the construction of Europe and to good relations between the European Union and its international partners. All staff members contribute to the College mission with professional dedication, a spirit of pro‑active collegiality and mutual respect.

For more information about the College, please visit our website.

The Role

Based in Bruges, the Finance Director will be working under the direct supervision of the Rector and in close coordination with the Treasurer. Assisted by a team of currently three staff members, the Finance Director will oversee the planning, determination and execution of the College’s budget in Bruges and Tirana.

The main tasks and responsibilities of the Finance Director include:

• Ensure rigorous financial management and strict compliance with Belgian accounting standards, preparing accurate financial reports for internal and external stakeholders;
• Actively manage daily financial operations, including accounts payable and receivable, payroll, and procurement, to maintain efficient and effective financial processes;
• Regularly review and update internal financial procedures and policies to maintain transparency, operational efficiency, and adherence to best practices;
• Assist institutional budget holders in budget preparation and implementation, providing guidance to ensure effective financial management across departments;
• Collaborate on and oversee income‑generating initiatives, including grants, donations, and other funding opportunities, ensuring effective management and reporting of income streams;
• Act as the principal contact point for financial interactions with external stakeholders, including auditors, legal advisors, banks, and regulatory bodies, fostering positive relationships and ensuring compliance with external requirements;
• Identify and mitigate financial risks, implementing robust internal controls and ensuring the institution's assets are safeguarded;
• Lead and develop the Finance Office team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, professional growth, and high performance;
• Coordinate and lead the institution’s audit processes, liaising with external auditors and ensuring timely implementation of audit recommendations;
• Stay updated regarding changes in financial regulations and ensure the institution's compliance with all relevant laws and guidelines;
• Provide budgetary advice to the Rector and prepare financial information for the College’s statutory/decision-making bodies, in close cooperation with the Treasurer;
• Contribute to the development of and implement financial strategies aligned with the institution's objectives, providing expert guidance on financial planning and sustainability.

Your Profile

For the position of Finance Director, the College is looking for candidates with:

• A postgraduate degree in Management, Finance, Accounting or a related field, or extensive equivalent expertise;
• Minimum 7 years of relevant professional experience in financial administration/management, preferably in a higher education and/or EU‑related context;
• Excellent command of English and Dutch; a good knowledge of French is considered a strong advantage;
• Strong decision‑making, communication and interpersonal skills;
• Ideally, experience or familiarity with the activities and operations of the College of Europe;
• Full digital literacy (including MS Office 365 and alike);
• Result‑oriented, proactive and cooperative approach;
• Outstanding analytical and organisational skills, with an eye for detail;
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment, with respect for deadlines.

Our offer

• A pleasant and stimulating international working environment;
• An employment contract under Belgian law of indefinite duration;
• A competitive remuneration in line with the seniority of the profile;
• A comprehensive benefits package including the legal holiday pay and an end‑of‑year bonus, meal vouchers, a transportation allowance, hospitalisation insurance, and a complementary pension scheme;
• Legal holidays plus two extra public holidays (9th of May and 11th of July) and eight closing days during the winter break;
• A telework policy (up to two days per week) and allowance;
• An invaluable opportunity to contribute to a renowned project of European integration.

How to apply

Applications in English or French, comprising a detailed CV (max. 2 pages) and a motivation letter (max. 1 page) should be submitted by 30 June 2025 to the HR Office at , mentioning “Finance Director” in the subject line.

Short‑listed candidates will be invited for an interview.

By submitting your application, you consent to have your personal data processed for the purpose of recruitment and the specific position you are applying for. You acknowledge that your data, as well as data we receive from academic institutions we can contact for verification purposes, will be processed by the College of Europe, the members of the selection committee appointed by the College of Europe related to this recruitment process. All information will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and in line with the current data processing regulations. For more information on how we use the information you have provided and how to exercise your rights, please see our privacy notice for recruitment ( ).

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The College of Europe is committed to equal treatment and opportunity. It aims to reflect the diversity of our society and to offer an inclusive work and study environment for all members of its community. Consistent with these goals, the Bruges campus has a zero‑tolerance policy for any acts against the dignity and integrity of individuals, whether in the form of discrimination, bullying, harassment, stalking, violence, or sexual misconduct. Candidates are therefore recruited and selected on the basis of skills and experience, regardless of sex, age, ability, ethnicity, class and background, political belief, race, religion, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, culture, or any other grounds.

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