RIFT is entering a defining phase in its evolution: transitioning from technology development to commercial scale-up. In 2026, the company successfully secured €114 million to reach Final Investment Decision (FID) and build the world’s first commercial iron fuel production facility. The period towards FID requires rigorous financial discipline, effective capital deployment, and the execution of multiple strategic financing and commercial milestones. Simultaneously, RIFT must demonstrate a scalable and repeatable business model capable of supporting a Series C financing round of >€100–200 million and laying the foundation for international growth.
We are looking for a Chief Financial Officer to help shape RIFT's next phase of growth. As CFO, you will define the company's financial strategy and ensure the capital structure needed to scale with confidence.
As RIFT transitions towards commercial deployment, you will secure funding, extend cash runway, and allocate capital where it creates the greatest long-term value. Combining financial discipline with a pragmatic approach to growth, you will translate strategic ambitions into financially sound decisions.
Working closely with the CEO, Management Team, Supervisory Board, shareholders, and future investors, you will lead financing activities, strengthen strategic relationships, and prepare RIFT for future fundraising rounds, including a Series C . Together with a highly capable Finance team, you will establish the financial processes, transparent reporting, and governance required to support sustainable growth, future fundraising, and the company's next stage of development.
RIFT develops technologies and projects that help decarbonise industry. After years of research, development and pilot projects, we are entering the next phase: commercial deployment. As we scale our organisation and projects, the focus is shifting from proving technology to delivering impact in industry. Today, Iron Fuel Technology is at the core of that transition, enabling industrial companies to replace fossil fuels with a circular, carbon free alternative for high temperature heat.
The Finance team combines expertise in Financial Control, Accounting, Project Finance, Public Funding, Legal and Business Case Finance. Working in a highly collaborative, process driven way, the team ensures that funding, governance, legal frameworks and financial decision making are aligned. Together, they create the structure and discipline that enables RIFT to scale from innovation to commercial deployment.
Financial Strategy & Business Performance
Develops and executes the company's financial strategy in alignment with RIFT's growth ambitions. Translates the vision and strategic objectives of the CEO and the strategy and commercial teams into financially viable business cases. Acts as a strategic sparring partner and challenger in decision making, driving long-term value creation, profitability, cash flow optimisation, and sustainable growth..
Funding, Treasury & Cash Management
Safeguards the company's financing, liquidity position, and long-term financial continuity. Develops and executes the funding strategy across equity, debt, grants, and alternative financing solutions. Monitors cash runway, working capital, and financial risks to ensure resilience and business continuity while optimising capital allocation.
Project Finance & Contract Risk
Leads the financial structuring, feasibility assessment, and bankability of strategic projects, investments, and business cases. Develops project finance models and assesses the financial implications of commercial contracts throughout the project lifecycle. Ensures an optimal allocation of financial, contractual, and commercial risks in close collaboration with the Finance, Legal, Business Development, and Operations teams. Provides financial leadership during negotiations with customers, suppliers, lenders, and investors to establish bankable contractual structures and an appropriate risk-return profile.
Performance Management, Reporting & Data Analytics
Establishes and maintains management information, key performance indicators (KPIs), and decision-support reporting for the Executive Team, investors, and other stakeholders. Analyses business performance, identifies opportunities and risks, and translates insights into measurable improvement initiatives. Enables data-driven decision making throughout the organisation.
Legal, Governance, Risk & Business Enablement
Establishes and maintains effective governance, compliance, contract management, and enterprise risk management to support RIFT's sustainable growth and long-term success. Ensures the organisation operates within applicable legal, regulatory, and ethical frameworks. Oversees the strategic governance of IT, data, privacy, and management information, enabling scalable business processes, informed decision making, and organisational excellence.
Financial Control, Accounting & Tax
Ensures robust budgeting and forecasting while delivering accurate, timely, and compliant financial reporting. Oversees planning and control processes, internal controls, audit activities, and tax compliance. Maintains financial transparency, cost control, high-quality financial data, and effective financial risk management.
Investor Relations & Stakeholder Management
Builds and maintains strong relationships with shareholders, investors, lenders, and other strategic stakeholders. Leads transparent communication on business performance, financial risks, funding requirements, and strategic developments. Drives fundraising processes, due diligence activities, stakeholder reporting, and the development of compelling investment cases for future financing rounds.
Beyond leading RIFT's finance function, you approach every strategic decision through an investor's lens. You develop and substantiate the investment thesis behind future value creation, rigorously test assumptions, and assess capital efficiency, scalability, and long-term ownership scenarios. Combining strategic thinking with hands-on execution, you help position RIFT for sustainable growth and future investment.
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Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field. A CPA, ACCA, CFA, or equivalent qualification is preferred.
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At least 10 years of progressive financial leadership experience, including an executive or senior finance leadership role in a start-up or scale-up environment.
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Proven track record of scaling organisations in a fast-growing, technology-driven, industrial, or manufacturing environment.
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Experience working in an international and rapidly evolving environment is preferred.
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Strong expertise in financial planning and analysis (FP&A), financial modelling, treasury, accounting, tax, cash flow management, and financial reporting.
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Demonstrated experience with budgeting, forecasting, and strategic business partnering.
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Experience in fundraising, investor relations, and working with venture capital, private equity, or institutional investors is highly desirable.
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Solid understanding of corporate governance, compliance, risk management, and internal controls.
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Experience managing audits and collaborating with external auditors, banks, and regulatory authorities.
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Proven ability to lead, develop, and inspire high-performing finance teams, combined with strong business acumen.
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Strong analytical, strategic, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate financial insights into business decisions.
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Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the confidence to influence executive leadership and Supervisory Board discussions.
Working at RIFT means being part of a dynamic, diverse and driven team. You will help shape the future of industrial decarbonisation while working on complex, high-impact projects. In addition, we offer:
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Competitive compensation: a package that reflects the level of this role, including the potential for long-term incentives or equity participation.
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A central office: a new office in the heart of Eindhoven, working alongside 70+ colleagues, with the flexibility to work partly from Amsterdam.
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Meaningful responsibility: the opportunity to shape the financial foundation of one of Europe's leading industrial climate technology companies.
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Experienced leadership: work closely with experienced entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders in a growing international organisation.
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High-performance environment: an ambitious, fast-paced culture with high ownership, where you can take initiative and drive real impact.
This role combines investor-level thinking, hands-on execution, and company-wide orchestration. It is not a comfort zone role, but one for individuals who take ownership, push boundaries, and deliver measurable impact where it matters most.
Experience level: Senior
