How to get promoted to Head of Treasury in the Netherlands

Are you a treasury professional looking to progress your career and become a Head of Treasury now or in the future?

At Brewer Morris, we help candidates find their dream role whether that’s within their current company or with a new employer. Our Amsterdam-based team are local recruitment experts in the Dutch market with genuine international reach.

Here are our top tips on how to get promoted to Head of Treasury in the Netherlands.

1. Excel in your current role

To be considered for a promotion to Head of Treasury, you need to excel in your current managerial position. Gain the confidence and trust of your boss and senior management by performing your job brilliantly and consistently.

Exceeding expectations might include meeting deadlines, going above and beyond your responsibilities, and volunteering for tasks that demonstrate your capacity for more responsibility.

Effective communication is also crucial: keep your own manager and senior management updated on your progress. If challenges arise, update them on any delays and your plans to address them.

Focus on improving areas where you may lack confidence. Seek feedback from your manager and treasury team to identify areas and skillsets where you want to grow. Nobody is perfect but continuous effort and improvement will mark you as a high performer to the decision-makers in your company.

2. Start stepping up as a treasury leader

Transitioning to the role of Head of Treasury involves taking on more accountability and demonstrating your capability to handle complex responsibilities. Most companies will only promote (or hire) someone if they can see they have a demonstrable track record of stepping up into the role.

This position requires overseeing the entire treasury function, including treasury operations, liquidity management, cash management, risk management, forecasting, investments and financial risk. Find out more about the day-to-day role of Head of Treasury in the Netherlands.

Here are some actions you can take to prove you’re ready for the Head of Treasury role:

  • Clarify your career goals: Define your vision for the treasury department and how you plan to contribute to its success. Are you aiming to specialise in a particular aspect of treasury management or take on a broader role? Discuss your career goals with your manager, CFO or HR (depending on your company’s processes) and agree a plan for progression
  • Showcase your strategic abilities: Use your initiative to develop and present hands-on treasury strategies, identifying risks and opportunities. Bring innovative ideas to the table that align with the company’s financial goals
  • Demonstrate leadership: Motivate and guide your team towards achieving shared objectives. Lead by example, setting high standards for performance and professionalism. Observe the leadership styles of those you admire (such as your CEO or CFO) and integrate effective techniques into your own approach. You can be a leader at any stage in your career if you’re able to motivate and influence others in your team and company
  • Build trust with senior stakeholders and your treasury team: Stepping up involves strong relationship management skills with key decision-makers and colleagues, showing you’re a team player. Demonstrate reliability, competence and integrity so you can encourage others to support your promotion. You may also need to prove you can work closely with external stakeholders depending on your company

3. Understand your senior stakeholders’ personality types

A core element of becoming a leader in treasury management is using effective communication skills with stakeholders.

While everyone’s personality is unique, there are ways you can understand their characteristics and behaviours so that you can anticipate their needs.

If your company offers psychometric tests such as DISC, Myers-Briggs or similar tools, use them to gain insights about your stakeholders and yourself. If you haven’t taken part in this at work, you can find free online tests such as 16Personalities. These tools can help you tailor your communication skills for different personality types, fostering better relationships and collaboration.

For example, a stakeholder with a “red” (or “D”) personality might prefer concise, direct communication. In contrast, a “blue” (or “C”) personality might appreciate detailed, data-driven discussions. Understanding their personalities and preferences can help you can adapt your working style with them to build a lasting relationship.

Continuous learning is vital for career progression even at leadership level, especially in a field as dynamic as treasury management. Here are some ways you can embrace this:

  • Training within your company: Take advantage of internal training programmes or LinkedIn Learning modules to enhance your skills. Focus on technical treasury skills and soft skills like leadership and communication
  • Networking: Build a robust professional network by attending industry events and staying connected with colleagues and industry peers. Networking can provide valuable insights and open up new opportunities. Be curious and ask questions so you can learn from others
  • Memberships: If you haven’t already, join professional associations such as the Association for Financial Professionals (AFP) or the Dutch Association of Corporate Treasurers (DACT). These memberships offer access to resources, best practices and a network of professionals
  • Mentorship: Seek out a mentor who can provide guidance and support as you navigate your career path. Mentors can offer invaluable advice based on their own experiences and help you make informed decisions. Mentoring others can also be a useful and fulfilling option. We can help find the right mentor and/or mentee for you
  • Job opportunities: If you’re considering a Head of Treasury role in the Netherlands, you can use a combination of strategic job searching, professional resources and networking. Recruitment agencies like Brewer Morris can help treasury candidates with bespoke guidance, available jobs and access to unique treasury and finance networks. You can also find jobs on company websites and job boards (such as LinkedIn, Indeed, eFinancial Careers and Finance.nl). When jobhunting, make sure you’re visible to recruiters and hiring managers on LinkedIn (without your employer knowing you’re looking elsewhere)

If you’re aiming for a promotion to Head of Treasury, these strategies can set you on the right path.

Get in touch with us today to discuss this or your career in general.

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