We offer a distinctive setup for people who want to bring their business skills to bear on global challenges and to achieve sustainable development. We seek purpose-driven individuals who are exceptional problem-solvers, are experienced in managing projects and are excited to shape a growing, entrepreneurial organization working globally from the heart of Berlin.
SEEK is a strategic and organizational consulting group dedicated to global human development. We drive social impact by supporting leading organizations to maximize their effectiveness and tackle the world’s toughest problems. We combine the professionalism of top management consulting with deep knowledge of the global development ecosystem, cutting-edge content knowledge and expertise in leading multi-stakeholder and organizational development processes. We support leading international agencies, governments, foundations, non-governmental organizations and corporations to maximize their impact. Our clients include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; the Global Partnership for Education; the World Bank; and the World Health Organization. For more information visit www.seekdevelopment.org.
Your Role
As the Manager Finance and Operations, you will play a key role in in supporting and shaping the success and growth of the firm. You will report directly to SEEK’s senior leadership team and will be in charge of leading both the internal operations team as well as managing external providers, in order to support the achievement of overall business objectives. In doing so, you will draw on your sound knowledge in finance and controlling, your affinity to technology and your conceptual skills to ensure operational and digital excellence within SEEK’s administration. Given the small size of the organization, this position entails both significant responsibility as well as hands-on execution over a wide range of topics. This is a tremendous opportunity to maximize the internal backbone of a well-respected organization driving social impact.
Finance and Business Planning:
- Support the implementation of SEEK’s business strategy by tapping into your reliable backbone of financial knowledge and processes;
- Manage operations to ensure a consistently flowing annual “rhythm of the business”;
- Manage and optimize annual target setting, planning and budgeting in conjunction with the senior leadership, monitor and effectively report on key performance indicators;
- Set up new and advance existing financial processes and management systems to facilitate staff planning, project controlling, effective pricing and profitability analysis;
- Oversee the preparation and correctness of all financial reporting materials, including monthly and annual financial statements in collaboration with external providers;
- Direct all project-based and organizational accounting, and monitor the use of funds;
- Develop a risk management plan that identifies the major financial and operational risks and implement appropriate mitigation measures;
- Review, optimize and implement all necessary financial, controlling and accounting practices; document these in the firm’s overall policy and procedure manual.
Operations and Digital Processes:
- Drive efficiencies in internal operations processes by streamlining and digitalizing core workflows;
- Take direct responsibility for optimizing SEEK’s technological infrastructure and ensure effective IT support for all staff;
- Provide professional support to senior leadership in managing people topics (e.g. performance reviews) and in optimizing HR processes
- Guide and coach other members of the operations team responsible for accounting, office management, HR administration, contracts and legal services to ensure high quality of support to the business;
- Optimize use of third-party vendors, finding the right balance between using internal or external resources;
- Prepare and ensure effective follow up on senior management meetings and other such key meetings;
About You
You are a hands-on manager with proven experience in finance and controlling. You thrive in an international, dynamic environment providing direct responsibilities and varied tasks from the first day. You are able to manage and continuously improve the finance and operations backbone for SEEK’s consulting work, and you bring to it a high degree of professionalism and entrepreneurship. Your professional skills are combined with empathy, great people leadership and diplomacy; you remain calm in stressful situations and work pragmatically in a fast-paced environment.
Required qualifications
- A minimum of 5 years of experience in a relevant managerial finance role, ideally in a small/medium-size business or start-up environment; knowledge of consulting business and a passion for international development as a plus;
- A degree in business-administration/finance, economics, or a related field; proven expertise in finance/controlling
- Track record in process design and digitalization, strong affinity to technology
- Prior experience in managing a small team;
- Excellent judgement with strong communication and interpersonal skills;
- Ability to manage multiple processes and tasks concurrently and to drive continuous improvement in a fast-paced environment and processes;
- Manage operations to ensure a consistently flowing annual “rhythm of the business”;
- Full understanding of finance documents in German as well as fluency in English.
What we offer
- Unique chance to support social impact in a fast-growing global development consultancy from day one
- International work environment and high-profile clients
- Passionate, dynamic and values-driven work culture with a supportive team
- Mentorship and training opportunities to further develop your potential and to enable you to thrive professionally
Piqued your interest?
To apply, please submit a cover letter and CV and selected references in a single pdf document via email with the subjectline "Application: Manager Finance and Operations" to recruiting@seekdevelopment.org at your earliest convenience but no later than October 10th, 2019. We will review CVs and conduct interviews on a rolling basis.

