1317 – Interim Regional CFO – 1bn Eur AI Transformation
About Our Client:
A leading international biopharmaceutical organisation with a strong presence across Europe and global operations spanning more than 100 countries. The company operates through a network of commercial affiliates across approximately 20 European markets and is recognised for its innovation-driven portfolio and disciplined financial performance.
The European region generates close to €1 billion in annual revenue and represents a strategically important pillar within the wider international structure. Each country operates as a commercial entity with local General Managers and Finance Directors, creating a multi-entity environment with varying levels of maturity, scale and complexity.
The current operating model is inherently complex, combining local country organisations, sub-regional clusters and interaction with a global shared service centre. This layered structure creates both opportunity and duplication, and now requires greater alignment, clarity and structural consistency at regional level.
Following a recent regional consolidation and structural realignment, the leadership team is using this moment to reshape and future-proof the finance function. The mandate is proactive, forward-looking and transformation-driven.
Project Description:
This is a high-impact interim executive leadership mandate reporting directly to the Regional CFO.
The role is structured as a strategic transformation assignment, not as a vacancy gap. The interim executive will operate as a senior sparring partner to the Regional CFO, with responsibility for shaping the next-generation regional finance model across approximately 20 countries.
The mandate encompasses three clearly defined pillars:
1. Performance Improvement
Enhance the analytical depth, transparency and forward-looking capability of the regional finance function, strengthening executive-level decision support and financial storytelling.
2. Structural Optimisation
Assess and redesign the regional finance operating model, including process harmonisation, governance clarity and potential Centre of Excellence structures to improve scalability and efficiency.
3. AI-Enabled Transformation
Define and implement a pragmatic AI roadmap within finance, identifying relevant use cases, governance standards and measurable KPIs to ensure that technology investments translate into sustainable value.
Key responsibilities include:
- Act as Interim Regional Finance Transformation Lead, working directly with the Regional CFO
- Conduct a structured diagnostic across approximately 20 affiliates to identify duplication, inefficiencies and governance inconsistencies
- Redesign core finance processes to increase transparency, efficiency and scalability
- Strengthen FP&A capability, elevating reporting from descriptive analysis to forward-looking insight and executive narrative
- Support regional budgeting and forecasting cycles with improved analytical frameworks
- Define AI governance within finance and prioritise high-impact automation and analytics initiatives
- Develop measurable KPIs to evaluate AI adoption and performance improvement outcomes
- Influence and align local Finance Directors and senior stakeholders across diverse European markets
Interim Manager Required Skills:
A seasoned interim CFO, Regional Finance Director or Finance Transformation Leader with substantial experience in international, multi-entity environments.
- Background as Regional CFO, Finance Transformation Lead or senior interim executive in complex European structures
- Experience within regulated, innovation-driven industries such as pharmaceuticals, healthcare, life sciences or comparable sectors
- Strong strategic FP&A capability with the ability to translate financial data into strategic direction
- Demonstrated success in performance improvement and governance strengthening initiatives
- Experience implementing AI or automation within finance, with a clear understanding of measurable value creation
- Comfortable operating across approximately 20 countries with varying organisational maturity
- Credible, composed and politically astute, capable of building trust with strong local Finance Directors
- Structured, analytical and outcome-oriented mindset
- Fluent English essential; additional European languages advantageous
This confidential mandate offers a rare opportunity to shape a future-ready regional finance organisation within a high-performing international business. The successful interim executive will leave behind a stronger analytical backbone, a more efficient finance structure and a clear AI-enabled roadmap that supports long-term performance and cross-border transformation.
Key Requirements:
Experience redesigning finance operating models or Centres of Excellence. Hands-on exposure to AI, automation or digital finance initiatives.
Type of Assignment:
Interim
Scope of Interim Assignment:
AI Transformation and Operational Excellence
Functional Area of the Interim Manager:
Finance
Location:
Europe wide, Center of gravity in the Czech Republic
Duration:
12 months
Start Date:
March 2026
Why work with us?
CE Interim delivers proven executive interim leaders within 72 hours across borders, cultures, and industries. We specialize in high-impact interim management for private equity firms, family offices, and global corporations facing moments of transition: digital transformation, market entry, operational turnaround, post-merger integration, or crisis.
What sets us apart is not just the speed or depth of our network, it’s how we lead. Every engagement is personally guided by a CE Interim managing partner: former CEOs, CFOs, or COOs who’ve been on your side of the table, steering organizations through high-stakes decisions.
With a global talent pool and operational reach spanning Europe, the USA, and the Middle East, we don’t fill roles, we build trust, lead transitions, and deliver outcomes.
As part of the Valtus Alliance, the world’s largest alliance of Executive Interim Management companies, we ensure seamless international execution through 25+ offices and 80+ senior partners in over 50 countries.
