DATAPAO is hiring a Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Responsibilities

• Direct capital allocation, commercial strategy, forecasting, and overall company performance.
• Oversee the Finance department and align all business units via planning and forecasting processes.
• Collaborate with the CEO and Head of Sales to develop go-to-market strategy, including pricing and margin frameworks.
• Develop and manage unit economics for consulting and AI-based service offerings.
• Convert financial analysis into actionable strategic advice.
• Integrate Finance with Delivery, Education, Sales, People, and Marketing through joint planning and forecasting.
• Create predictive forecasts and scenarios, each accompanied by actionable recommendations.
• Ensure continuous visibility of 18 to 24 months of cash runway.
• Manage the entire planning cycle from start to finish.
• Identify potential scenarios, provide early risk warnings, and collaborate with leadership on mitigation strategies.
• Utilize data to analyze past performance and guide future decision-making.
• Design and operate dashboards tracking utilization, margins, pipeline status, and financial metrics.
• Establish reliable weekly and monthly reporting schedules.
• Provide directive guidance on next steps and actions.
• Collaborate with business units to compare performance against budget and identify efficiency improvements.
• Develop a contemporary, automated finance department using technology, including AI, to enhance operational effectiveness.
• Enhance the precision and reliability of financial data and reporting to serve as the definitive source.
• Manage and expand the finance team, currently comprising a Senior Controller and Finance Admin, with potential for a third hire in 6-12 months.
• Take responsibility for financial operations outcomes: accounting, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure timely payments and receipts, and adherence to UK and Hungarian tax laws.
• Handle treasury management: cash flow and currency risks in various markets.
• Supervise legal, tax, and cash-flow risks from a business standpoint.
• Maintain company operations within established risk tolerance levels.
• Handle reporting to the board of directors.
• Lead fundraising or acquisition initiatives when necessary.

Requirements

• CFO or similar senior finance leadership background in a fast-growing tech or professional services firm.
• Proven history of advancing planning, forecasting, and growth in collaboration with Sales, Delivery, and other departments.
• Evident business savvy with a focus on margins, pricing, and expansion beyond mere control.
• Thorough understanding of compliance requirements.
• Outstanding communication skills, capable of presenting data from spreadsheets to executive discussions.

Nice to Have

• Background in professional services or consulting.
• Experience managing fundraising or acquisition activities.
• Track record of building or updating finance functions and systems.
• Ease in participating in sales discussions and collaborating closely with commercial teams.

Benefits

• Stock option plan.
• Flexible scheduling and paid time off days.
• Four weeks of paternity leave, where applicable.
• Health benefits: comprehensive private medical coverage through Generali, plus 15 fully paid sick days annually.
• Employee Assistance Program offering psychological, financial, and legal advisory services via phone or in-person.
• Premium work tools: MacBook Pro, Herman Miller chair, office standing desks.
• Opportunity to influence organizational culture.
• Comfortable Budapest office near Oktogon, stocked with snacks, drinks, and beverages.
• Annual team-building events and various community activities.

Work Arrangement

Hybrid — Budapest HQ, remote

How success will be measured in this role?

Success will be evaluated based on metrics driven and co-owned with the Leadership Team, including forecast accuracy (e.g., within ±5% on rolling quarters), cash-flow runway visibility of 18-24 months, working capital cycle, reporting frequency and quality (weekly and monthly), gross margin, EBITDA versus plan, utilization rate, project margin health, and revenue predictability. Specific targets will be agreed with the CEO upon hiring.

What does it take to fit the bill?

Ideal candidates should meet most criteria: must have CFO or equivalent senior finance leadership experience in high-growth tech or professional services, a strong record in planning, forecasting, and growth with Sales and Delivery teams, demonstrated commercial focus on margins and pricing, solid compliance knowledge, and excellent communication skills. Preferred attributes include experience in professional services or consulting, managed fundraising or acquisitions, built or modernized finance systems, and comfort in sales collaboration. Not all boxes need checking; strong candidates eager to drive growth are encouraged to apply.

What will the selection process look like?

The process includes a screening interview (~60 minutes) to verify experience and skills, a cultural interview (~60 minutes) assessing community fit (may be skipped if screening is by Head of People), an external CFO interview (~75 minutes) probing core competencies, a CEO interview (~75 minutes) focusing on trust-building and partnership, and an informal team coffee chat with Leadership Team and future colleagues.

What do we offer?

Beyond listed benefits, the role offers a stock incentive plan with value-driving potential, entry into the data and AI field, flexible hours and PTO with office time expectations for senior leadership, paternity leave, healthcare via Generali, EAP services, high-quality equipment, culture-shaping opportunities, a well-equipped Budapest office, and team events.

Other

Position based in Budapest HQ or remote with regular travel to Budapest; operates in UK and Hungary with legal entities and in Spain via EOR; no specified language requirements; regular travel to Budapest needed; flexible hours; equipment provided: MacBook Pro, Herman Miller chair, standing desks.