At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance across EMEA, driving growth and shaping strategic decisions.
- Company: Join Crayola, a beloved brand inspiring creativity since 1903.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Embrace diversity and sustainability while fostering a high-performing finance team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment focused on innovation and collaboration.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with senior finance leadership experience and strong commercial acumen.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Who we are
Crayola has inspired children to express their creativity since 1903.
Crayolians take pride in fulfilling our mission of helping parents and educators raise creatively alive children around the world.
Join our team and be part of an iconic brand that develops quality art products and experiences that are loved by families and preferred by teachers.
Our company culture is mission focused, and encourages fun, collaboration, transparency, and helping others.
We are committed to diversity and inclusion.
Crayola believes a diverse workforce provides a broad spectrum of perspectives which enables us to create innovate products and continuously improve our work processes.
We have an intentional focus on fostering a work environment where all employees feel valued and appreciated.
About the Role
As EMEA Finance Director, you will play a critical role in shaping the future growth and success of Crayola across the region.
As a strategic partner to the EMEA Leadership team, you will combine strong financial expertise with commercial insight to influence decision making, drive profitable growth and support the delivery of our business strategy.
This role will lead the finance function across EMEA, ensuring finance is positioned as a key enabler of business performance.
You will bring a transformation mindset, identifying opportunities to simplify, improve and evolve how we operate, while embedding a culture of continuous improvement and commercial excellence.
Working closely with the General Manager- EMEA and senior leaders across sales, marketing and operations, you will provide insight, challenge and recommendations that help shape our strategic priorities, investment decisions and long-term growth plans.
Key Responsibilities
- Commercial Strategy & Business Partnership
- Partner with the EMEA Leadership Team to develop and execute commercial strategies that drive sustainable growth and profitability.
- Provide financial insight, challenge and recommendations to support key business decisions, including market opportunities, customer strategies, pricing, investment and resource allocation.
- Act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, translating financial data into actionable insights that influence business outcomes.
- Drive a strong commercial finance mindset across the organisation, ensuring decisions are underpinned by robust analysis and business understanding.
- Financial Leadership & Performance
- Lead the EMEA financial planning, forecasting and reporting processes, providing clear visibility of performance, risks and opportunities.
- Identify opportunities to improve profitability, cash generation and return on investment.
- Support strategic planning by developing financial models, business cases and scenarios to guide decision-making.
- Ensure strong financial governance while enabling an agile, growth-focused business environment.
- Financial Control & Compliance
- Ensure robust financial control, governance and compliance across all EMEA entities, maintaining the highest standards of financial integrity and risk management.
- Oversee statutory accounts, external audits, VAT and indirect tax compliance, legal entity reporting and regulatory requirements across the region.
- Ensure accurate and timely monthly, quarterly and annual closing processes, partnering with the finance team to deliver high-quality financial reporting.
- Maintain and strengthen internal controls, policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with corporate and local regulatory requirements.
- Partner with external advisors, auditors and tax specialists as required to ensure compliance and proactively mitigate financial and operational risks.
- Support effective cash flow management, treasury activities and working capital optimisation across the business.
- Provide hands‑on leadership and support to the finance team when required, fostering a culture of accountability, technical excellence and continuous development.
- Balance strong financial stewardship with a pragmatic commercial mindset, enabling growth whilst maintaining appropriate controls and governance.
- Transformation & Continuous Improvement
- Lead and support finance transformation initiatives that improve processes, systems, ways of working and organisational effectiveness.
- Identify opportunities to simplify, automate and enhance finance capabilities through technology and data.
- Partner with cross-functional teams to successfully deliver wider business transformation programmes.
- Champion change, ensuring new approaches are embedded and deliver sustainable improvements.
- Leadership & Collaboration
- Lead, develop and inspire a high‑performing finance team across EMEA.
- Build strong relationships across the wider business, creating a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.
- Develop future capability within the finance function to support the evolving needs of the organisation.
- Promote a culture where finance is seen as a proactive strategic partner.
What We’re Looking For
- A qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with significant senior finance leadership experience.
- Proven experience operating as a commercial finance leader within a complex, international or multi‑market organisation.
- A strong track record of partnering with senior stakeholders to shape strategy and drive business performance.
- Experience leading transformation initiatives, with the ability to challenge existing ways of working and deliver meaningful change.
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to connect financial insight to customer, market and business opportunities.
- Experience influencing and delivering change across cross‑functional teams.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to simplify complex financial information and engage stakeholders at all levels.
- A collaborative leadership style with the ability to build strong teams and create a culture of high performance.
- Diversity & Inclusion at Crayola
We will cultivate diversity and create a culture of inclusion for our collective brands – one that grows through sustained action, demonstrates care for every life experience, inspires new products and content, and builds a sense of belonging in which every employee is able to be their very best.
Green is our favourite colour!
Crayola cares about the environment and responsibly makes the products you love. Learn more about Crayola’s creative solutions for greener tomorrows here.
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EMEA Finance Director in Woking employer: Crayola
Crayola is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and collaborative work culture in Woking, where creativity and innovation thrive. Employees benefit from comprehensive growth opportunities, competitive compensation, and the chance to make a meaningful impact within the UK retail sector. Join us to be part of a team that values your contributions and supports your professional development while working with iconic brands.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land EMEA Finance Director in Woking
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Crayola. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace EMEA Finance Director in Woking
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Crayola.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Crayola's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Crayola
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Crayola.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Crayola will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Crayola employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
