Director of Finance and Administration (m/w/d)

Director of Finance and Administration

Background

The International Biathlon Union (IBU) is the international governing body of Biathlon, headquartered in Austria. Founded in 1993 in London, the Federation currently has 56 national associations and hosts annual World Championships for men, women, and juniors. In May 2020, the federation moved its headquarters from Salzburg to the Niederalm district of Anif.

The IBU is currently led by the President Olle Dahlin, from Sweden. Olle has held this position since 2018 having previously been President of the Swedish Biathlon Federation from 2010 to 2018.

The IBU is currently looking for a Director of Finance and Administration.

Position

The Director of Finance and Administration (DFA) will play a key role in the organisation of IBU.

Reporting to the General Secretary, the successful candidate will be a hands-on and participative manager. The DFA will be responsible for managing the financial investments, accounting and administration duties for the IBU, as well as leading and developing an internal team of accounting, payroll and administration employees.

REPORTING LINE:

General Secretary - Max Cobb

Responsibilities

FINANCE, ACCOUNTING/CONTROLLING/TAXE

* Oversee full spectrum of Finance & Accounting duties for IBU (including monthly management reporting, annual audit & tax submissions, project set-up & controlling, annual budget, monthly forecast updates, accounting).
* Develop and oversee the organizations budget. Work with department heads to ensure their budgets align with the overall organizations budget.
* Analyse and present financial reports in an accurate and timely manner; oversee cash flow, forecasting and clearly communicate monthly cash-flow updates and annual financial statements.
* Closing the books at the end of the fiscal year.
* Ensure compliance with financial regulations and supports/oversees audits.
* Providing projections for future financial performance, helping IBU anticipate revenue, costs, and potential financial challenges.
* Support the leadership team with decision making using data and analytics.
* Oversee all invoicing requirements, cash management & collections, monitor adequacy of cash for operational needs.
* Creating financial strategies that align with the organisation long-term goals.
* Develop and manage financial controlling and reporting.

ADMINISTRATION

* Developing, implementing, and enforcing administrative policies and procedures that ensure the organisation operates efficiently and in compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
* Ensuring that all organisational records, including contracts, agreements, and regulatory filings, are accurately maintained and easily accessible.
* Ensuring that the organisation complies with all relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards, including those related to health and safety, insurance, risk, data protection, and labor laws.
* Ensure that the organisation's technology infrastructure supports operational needs, including software systems, hardware, and network security.

Human Resources

* Developing and implementing recruitment strategies and designing and managing comprehensive onboarding programs.
* Creating and overseeing training and development programs that enhance the skills and capabilities of employees at all levels.
* Oversee HR processes (payroll onboarding / offboarding, health insurance enrolment / removal, Annual Leave, Maternity Leave, Childcare leave processes, annual employee income tax).
* Managing and resolving employee relations issues, such as conflicts, grievances, and disciplinary matters, ensuring fair and consistent application of policies.
* Implementing initiatives to boost employee engagement, morale, and satisfaction, contributing to a positive and productive workplace culture.
* Leading efforts to build and maintain a strong organisational culture that aligns with the values and goals of IBU, promoting teamwork, inclusivity, and high performance.

Qualifications & Skills

* 10 years of professional experience in financial management and accounting.
* Minimum equivalent of a master's degree in finance and administration - Austrian trained.
* Strong understanding of financial principles, accounting, and budgeting.
* Proven experience in a leadership position and instilling a cohesive organisational culture.
* Familiarity with HR practices, employment law, and organisational behaviour to effectively manage the HR function.
* A strong understanding of non-profit association work and an understanding of sports organisations.
* Proficiency in managing administrative tasks and processes, ensuring the smooth operation of the organisation.
* A strong focus on details to ensure accuracy of financial reports, adherence to administrative procedures, and precision in HR records.
* Ability to build strong relationships across the organisation - strong in stakeholder management.
* Ability to lead and inspire own teams. A true team player.
* Strong communication skills, fluent in German and English.
* Strong analytical and decision-making abilities.
* Experience working in a multi-cultural / multi-national environment.
* Motivation to work in the sports industry, coupled with a passion for winter sports, is highly valued and considered a significant advantage

Elevate Talent

Elevate Talent is a global executive search firm and talent consultancy that helps clients navigate their complex and ever-evolving talent challenges. Elevate Talent exists to unlock exceptional people, teams, and organizational performance for companies who are big on ambition and small on the status quo.

Founded in the UK in 2001 as the single-sector search firm SRI Executive, the practice grew into a global organization with deep expertise across industries operating at the intersection of content, commerce, and technology and offices in Europe, North America, and APAC. In 2024, SRI was acquired by Elevate, a premier sports, media, and entertainment consulting firm, to form Elevate Talent.

For sports, media, technology, and brands, Elevate Talent finds leaders who understand the unique opportunities and challenges of your business and have the expertise, vision, and charisma to advance it.

For a confidential discussion about the role, please contact: ibu@oneelevate.com

Patrick Albrecht
Senior partner

Edoardo Murari
Associate

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