Director of International Accounting & Finance

Overview

We are delighted to have partnered exclusively with US law firm, McDermott Will & Schulte to appoint them a new Director of International Accounting & Finance, a senior leadership role based in London with responsibility for the firm's European finance and accounting operations.

The Firm

McDermott Will & Schulte is a leading global law firm with approximately $3bn in revenue and a strong international platform. The London office is one of the firm's fastest growing globally, forming a key part of its European network alongside offices in Paris, Germany, Brussels, and Milan. Each international office operates as its own partnership, while all partners participate in a single, unit based global compensation model, creating both complexity and opportunity at an international level.

The Role

This is a rare opportunity to step into a senior, visible, and influential leadership role within a highly regarded global professional services firm. Based in London, the Director of International Accounting & Finance will provide strategic and operational leadership across all European offices, overseeing accounting, finance, reporting, controls, and compliance in a complex, multi jurisdictional environment.

The role reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer (based in the US) and acts as the senior finance lead across the European platform. You will lead a senior level finance team across multiple jurisdictions, each operating in its local currency, while ensuring consistency, control, and alignment with firmwide standards and objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• International Finance Leadership - Provide overall leadership and oversight of accounting and finance operations across McDermott's European offices
• Lead, develop, and mentor senior finance leaders across jurisdictions, fostering a collaborative, high performance culture
• Act as a trusted finance partner to local Managing Partners and office leadership teams
• Oversee European financial reporting, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and completeness
• Ensure effective consolidation of EMEA results into global financials, including foreign currency translation and intercompany considerations
• Partner closely with U.S. based finance teams on global reporting, budgeting, and forecasting

• Regulatory Compliance, Controls & Governance - Ensure compliance with all local statutory accounting, regulatory, and reporting requirements across Europe
• Coordinate with internal tax teams and external advisers on international tax and structural matters (tax awareness required, though not a pure tax role)
• Establish and maintain robust internal control frameworks and support audit requirements
• Take on, or grow into, COFA responsibilities, working closely with compliance and leadership teams

• Process Improvement & Strategic Change - Drive standardisation and continuous improvement of accounting processes, policies, and systems across jurisdictions
• Lead initiatives to improve efficiency, scalability, and data integrity
• Support international growth, office development, and firmwide strategic and structural change initiatives

• Stakeholder Management - Build strong, credible relationships across regions, cultures, and time zones
• Work closely with U.S. leadership in a genuinely global operating model
• Travel internationally as required to support offices and strengthen relationships

Candidate Profile

McDermott Will & Schulte is seeking a senior finance leader with:

• Significant experience operating in a multi jurisdictional, international law firm environment
• The gravitas and credibility to influence senior stakeholders within a complex partnership structure
• Strong leadership capabilities and experience managing senior finance professionals across geographies
• Deep understanding of accounting, reporting, controls, and compliance
• Experience with UK and European statutory frameworks
• A collaborative, pragmatic approach and strong cross cultural communication skills

Qualifications

• Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline
• Professional accounting qualification (ACA, CPA, or equivalent) preferred
• 10+ years' progressive experience in senior accounting and finance roles

Why This Role?

• Succeed a long tenured, highly respected leader in a well established, high performing international finance function
• Play a central role in shaping the firm's European finance platform during a period of growth and expansion
• Join a firm with a strong reputation for collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement
• Operate in a genuinely global role with close exposure to U.S. leadership and firmwide strategy