Finance Manager

Location: Homeworking with travel to London once a month OR London office based (Clerkenwell) 

Role: Permanent (subject to funding)  

Salary: £50,000 (pro-rata, two days a week) – equating to £20,000 plus 10% employer-contributed pension 

Established in 2021 Opportunity Green helps unlock the opportunities from tackling climate change. Climate change is terrifying. But if the global community acts now, the solutions that reduce emissions also bring enormous opportunities for economic development, improved health and increased democracy. At Opportunity Green we help countries, civil society and business access those opportunities.

Opportunity Green is fuelled by law, economics and science to design and influence policy. We are propelled by the ambition to stop climate change. Opportunity Green has already achieved a lot in its first year and is now looking to expand to ensure it can continue to provide the high-quality analysis it has become known for. We are looking for a finance manager who can lead on our finances. We are a small team of 6 but will grow to 10 by early next year and are projected to have a turnover of £1,000,000 in 2023. The finance manager will get to shape the financial management and processes of the organization from almost scratch and get to play a strategic role in Opportunity Green’s decisions for the future.

What’s the role?

You will report to Opportunity Green’s CEO and be our first finance hire. You will get to direct and lead our office finances. This role will almost certainly grow over time in terms of days per week (if this is what you want) and potentially with the opportunity to manage a finance team in the future. This is an excellent growth opportunity for somebody looking to develop their finance skills in the fight against climate change.  

You will work closely with the CEO to:  

• Proactively plan and manage the finances of our small dynamic and growing organisation 

• Be responsible for the smooth running of all aspects of financial management 

• Provide leadership, in-depth knowledge and financial expertise to support the organisation’s strategic development and operations 

• Lead on the day-to-day management of financial operations and ensure sound financial management and accuracy around all financial routines, procedures and compliance with all relevant financial statutory and regulatory requirements 

• Prepare statutory and management accounts 

• Ensure Opportunity Green is VAT compliant 

• Provide and manage sound financial reporting for both internal and external stakeholders 

• Monitor any cash flow forecasts and the budget against actuals and in relation to approved expenditure and note any major variations in budget expenditure 

• Write, update and manage all financial procedures and systems 

• Liaise with our payroll provider to ensure payroll is accurate & timely 

• Be the point of contact with the organisation’s accountant 

• Advise on development of reserves  

• Work with the CEO to review and manage all finance systems and operations 

• Ensure that organisational insurances are up to date and renew them annually 

• Lead on the audit process and ensure it is carried out effectively and in a timely manner 

• Ensure compliance with Companies House, Charities Commission and HMRC and all requirements and standards, including filing of relevant accounts and compliance information 

This role would suit someone highly organised, self-motivated and analytical but also a people person who can work closely with the CEO to ensure we have all the right processes and procedures in place. Opportunity Green is a new, growing organization so you will get to design our finance policies from scratch. 

You need to have:

• Passion for stopping climate change  

• Qualified or part-qualified (final stage), for example ACA, ACMA, CIPFA, CIMA 

• Relevant experience working with a charity and all the requirements that entails, including an understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the sector 

• Good experience of sound accounting and financial management in the charity/not for profit sector 

• Sound knowledge and experience of leading and managing the audit process 

• Thorough practical up-to-date understanding of management accounting principles and techniques 

• In-depth knowledge and experience with payroll and pension processes and management systems for accounting functions, including Xero 

• Experience and skill providing monthly management accounts, year-end statutory accounts and financial reporting 

• Experience of contributing to strategic, organisational and financial planning processes 

• Good practical understanding of data protection and confidentiality 

• Ability to multitask and a willingness to take on numerous responsibilities  

• Excellent time management, an ability to meet deadlines, logically tackle problems, set priorities and communicate on each 

• Enough discipline to deliver excellent outcomes in a timely manner while working remotely 

• Ability to interact with people from around the world with kindness and respect  

If this sounds like you:

Please submit your CV and a short cover letter describing how you meet the specific requirements of the role, with examples from your experience, and why you would be a good fit for Opportunity Green.  

The closing date for applications is 9am on Monday 28 November 2022. Please submit your application to [email protected] with ‘Finance Manager Application’ in the subject line.  

Climate change is a race issue and a gender issue. Opportunity Green is dedicated to broadening opportunities for groups that are underrepresented in climate spaces, and to building an inclusive team where people of different backgrounds can thrive. We strongly encourage applications from people who do not see themselves represented in the current climate ecosystem. We value flexible working and are open to those who would want to work part time in this role.  

Unfortunately, if you do not already hold the right to work in the UK and/or if you require sponsorship to continue working in the UK, Opportunity Green would not be able to consider your application at this time.