Financial Control Manager

Company Profile  

nLightenis a leading European edge data centreplatform operatingacross key markets throughout Europe. Founded in 2021, we are redefining digital infrastructure through our vision of being Close, Coupled,and Connected, bringing sustainable, highly connected data centrescloser to the businesses and communities we serve. As a fast-growing company, we are helping power the future of AI, cloudand digital innovation across Europe. 

Learn more about us:www.nlighten.com 

About the Role  

We are looking for a Financial Control Manager to strengthen the quality, accuracy and understanding of our monthly financial results across the Netherlands, Belgium, Germanyand Switzerland. 

This is a hands-on financial control and accounting leadership role. You will take ownership of the integrity of the numbers, ensure transactions are understood and recorded correctly, and help the finance team connect operational activity with the appropriate accountingtreatment. 

Working closely with the Group Financial Controller, local teams, Operations, Billing, Salesand Group Finance, you will review the monthly close, challenge unusual movements, strengthen controls and improve the quality of information flowing into group reporting. Forecasting and budgeting are owned by the FP&A team; this role provides accurateactuals, accounting judgementand control insight to support that process. 

The role contributes to statutory accounts and external auditsbut is not the technical owner of audits. The priority is to ensurethe underlying accounting records are accurate, well-supported,and audit-ready before reviewing. 

Key Responsibilities  

• Own and review the monthly, quarterlyand year-end close for the entities in scope, ensuring accurateand timelyfinancial reporting.
• Understand the operational substance behind transactions and challenge whether costs are classified and coded correctly, including Capex versus Opex, fixed assets, maintenance, leases, projects, intercompany and accruals.
• Review general ledger activity, journals, balance sheetreconciliationsand P&L movements; investigate anomalies and ensure corrective action is completed before reporting deadlines.
• Ensure capital expenditure is assigned to the correct project, entity, asset categoryand accounting period, working closely with Operations, Procurementand project stakeholders.
• Maintain strong financial controls and clear supporting documentation across the accounting cycle.
• Prepare and review financial reporting packages and provide clear explanations of actual performance, variances and accounting judgements to the Group Financial Controller and senior stakeholders.
• Support the preparation of statutory financial statements and internal and external audits, resolving accounting issues early and minimizingavoidable review corrections.
• Partner with the FP&A team by providing reliable actuals, cash and working-capital insight, and accounting input to forecasts and budgets without owning the FP&A process.
• Monitor cash, working capital and balance sheetrisks, collaborating with Billing, Sales, Operations, Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable teams.
• Improve accounting processes, systems, reporting structuresand control documentation in a fast-scaling, multi-entity environment.
• Support, coach and develop a small finance team of 1-2 direct reports while remainingpersonally involved in the detail.

   

What We’reLooking For  

• A strong financial accounting and general-ledger foundation, with substantial hands-on experience in month-end, quarter-end and year-end close.
• Experience in a data center, digital infrastructure, telecom, engineering, construction, energyor other asset-intensive environment is strongly preferred. Direct data-centeraccounting experience may offset fewer total years of experience.
• For candidates without direct data-centerexperience, a stronger technical accounting background and evidence of learning complex operational environments quickly will be essential.
• Practical understanding of Capex, Opex, fixed assets, project accounting, accruals, intercompany accounting, balance sheetcontroland financial reporting.
• Working knowledge of IFRS and/or relevant local or US GAAP, with the ability to apply accounting principles to real transactions rather than only prepare reports.
• Experience supporting statutory accounts and external audits; technical ownership of audit is not required.
• A recognizedaccounting qualification such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA, RA, RC, CA(SA), CPAor equivalent is preferred. Strong relevant sector experience may be considered where the qualification route differs.
• Experience from external auditsor a Big Four environment is advantageous, not mandatory.
• Experience working across multiple entities, countriesor geographically distributed teams.
• Strong analytical judgement and the confidence to question incomplete, unusualor incorrectly coded transactions.
• A practical, delivery-focused approach: comfortable reviewing detail, solving issues and improving how the accounting function operates.
• Experience with ERP and close/reporting systems; Microsoft Dynamics experience is a strong advantage.
• Excellent English communication skills. German is advantageousbut not mandatory.

Why Join Us?  

• Join a fast-growing European data centerplatform shaping the future of digital infrastructure.
• Take real ownership of accounting quality and help build a scalable financial-control environment.
• Work closely with senior finance and operational leaders across multiple European markets.
• Develop from hands-on control ownership into broader reporting and finance leadership as nLightengrows.
• Be part of a collaborative, international team focused on precision, accountabilityand continuous improvement.

If you combine strong accounting fundamentals with curiosity about how data centersoperate, we would like to hear from you. 

Apply now and help us build the financial-control foundations for nLighten’snext stage of growth. 

Background Check & Screening  

All selected candidates will undergo a background check to ensure a safe workplace, protect company assets,and comply withapplicable regulations. 

Diversity & Inclusion Statement  

nLightenis an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace, and we encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. Even if you do not meet every requirement listed, we welcome your application. We particularly encourage women and individuals from underrepresented groups to apply.