Private Equity Portfolio Controller

We are a pioneering investment firm empowering a new generation of entrepreneurs to transform the European SME landscape. Committed to fostering inclusivity and diverse representation in private equity, WAD Capital focuses on selecting and nurturing aspiring leaders to acquire and develop SMEs, driving growth and ensuring a sustainable future for businesses across Europe.

Role Overview

WAD Capital is seeking a Portfolio Controller to drive financial oversight and strategic reporting across our SME portfolio companies. This role serves as a critical sparring partner to the CEOs of the SME and as bridge between portfolio operations and fund management, ensuring financial transparency, robust planning, and proactive risk management.

The Position

Reporting directly to the portfolio company CEO and the fund's CFO, you will be responsible for establishing and maintaining financial control frameworks that support both operational excellence and investor requirements. You'll work hands-on with the CEOs to build financial infrastructure, deliver actionable insights, and ensure stakeholder confidence through accurate and timely reporting.

Key Responsibilities

  - Financial Frameworks: Design and implement reporting frameworks (using EMASphere) tailored to portfolio and fund requirements.
  - Planning & Forecasting: Build annual budgets, multi-year business plans, and detailed cash flow forecasts for liquidity management.
  - Investment Analysis: Prepare investment cases and analysis for capital expenditure (CAPEX) decisions.
  - Banking & Compliance: Co-manage banking relationships, including covenant reporting and financial information packages.
  - Performance Monitoring: Monitor performance against budget, identify variances, and drive value-creation levers (e.g., working capital, pricing, margin mix).
  - Strategic Liaison: Serve as the financial link between portfolio companies and the fund’s investment team, escalating material risks as needed.

What Sets You Apart

We are looking for a candidate with a pragmatic, hands-on approach and the financial rigor to maintain institutional-grade standards in an SME environment. You should be comfortable with ambiguity, skilled at building relationships with operational teams, and capable of translating complex numbers into actionable strategic recommendations.

Location & Logistics

  - Primary Workplace: Portfolio companies located within a 300 km radius of Brussels.
  - WAD Capital Office: Sporadic work at our offices in Jette.
  - Typical Evolution: Engagement begins at ~2 days a week per SME (first 2-3 months) to establish reporting and systems, eventually transitioning to ~2 days a month for ongoing oversight and board-level sparring.

Application Process

This is a senior hire. Please complete the application form thoroughly, providing evidence of hands-on financial leadership in SME or mid-market environments and examples of how you have translated financial analysis into operational improvements.