Director of Commercial Finance EMEA, Starbucks
The Client
Starbucks is one of the world’s most iconic brands, with over 36,000 stores in 84 markets. It has grown from a single store into a global leader in coffee retail. In EMEA, Starbucks operates mainly through a licensee/franchise model, partnering with local operators to deliver its premium experience.
Committed to ethical sourcing, sustainability, and partner (employee) development, Starbucks’ mission—to nurture human connection—is reflected in its products, store environments, and community initiatives. The company continues to innovate across its offerings and platforms, while maintaining a strong focus on quality, customer experience, and responsible practices.
The Requirement
Starbucks engaged Novo to recruit a new Director of Commercial Finance EMEA, a pivotal leadership role reporting directly to the CFO EMEA. This role was created to lead strategic planning, budgeting, forecasting, and performance analysis across both equity-owned and licensee businesses in the region.
The successful candidate would oversee and lead commercial finance, data governance, and strategic projects, and act as a key business partner across functions including marketing, supply chain, store development, and technology. The role required a high level of financial acumen, cross-functional leadership, and experience in managing transformation and change within a dynamic, matrixed environment.
The Solution
Novo worked closely with Starbucks’ EMEA talent and finance leadership to understand the strategic scope of the role and the cultural fit required. A targeted search was launched to identify senior finance professionals with experience in international retail, ideally within franchise or licensee models.
Candidates were assessed for their ability to lead large finance teams, drive strategic initiatives, and influence senior stakeholders across geographies. Novo prioritised individuals with strong commercial insight, experience in financial planning and analysis, and a track record of leading transformation and operational excellence. The search also focused on candidates with experience in managing cross-border teams and navigating complex organisational structures.
The Outcome
Novo successfully appointed a high-impact Director of Commercial Finance who now plays a central role in shaping Starbucks’ financial strategy across EMEA. The new leader has strengthened financial planning, enhanced performance reporting, and built robust partnerships across the business. Their leadership is helping Starbucks navigate its transition toward a more licensee-driven model while maintaining operational excellence and strategic agility.
This appointment has reinforced Starbucks’ EMEA leadership team and positioned the business for continued growth and innovation across the region.
