At a Glance
- Tasks: Support financial management of grants and collaborate with diverse teams for impactful climate action.
- Company: Join FILE, a dynamic non-profit dedicated to fighting climate change through legal action.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working options, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to justice and systemic change.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the fight against climate change while developing your finance skills.
- Qualifications: Relevant accounting experience and strong financial analysis skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 67500 £ per year.
Location: United Kingdom - Hybrid / Remote, with occasional travel to the office
Contract: Permanent
Salary: UK £60,000 to £67,500 (depending on experience)
Working pattern: Full-Time or Part-Time Pro Rata (4 or 5 days per week)
About FILE
The Foundation for International Law for the Environment (FILE) is a not-for-profit philanthropic organisation working to accelerate legal action on climate change. Through grant-making and in-house legal expertise, we empower our partners to deliver strategic, innovative legal interventions and we support lawyers in their own countries to bring their own cases. Legal action can unlock the systemic changes in finance, policy and social systems needed to protect all of us from climate change.
The Role
The Finance Business Partner – Grants will play a key role in strengthening collaboration between Finance and Grants teams, supporting the effective financial management of the grants portfolio. The role will focus on building strong relationships with Grants stakeholders, developing a solid understanding of the granting process, and providing clear, timely financial information to support informed decision-making.
Key Responsibilities
- Business Partnering (40%)
- Provide strategic financial partnership to Grants Managers, Portfolio teams and other stakeholders, ensuring cohesive communication of financial data across Finance, Grants, and Philanthropic Partnerships.
- Support teams with best-practice granting approaches (from Finance point of view), including foreign exchange considerations, inflation adjustments, and cost benchmarking.
- Offer ongoing guidance on grant due diligence, budget setup, financial reporting reviews and other ad-hoc requirements.
- Enable effective decision making up to executive level by analysing granting and fundraising data and presenting it in a clear and compelling way.
- Budgeting & Forecasting (30%)
- Support quarterly grants forecasting in collaboration with Grants and Finance colleagues, contributing financial input to forward-looking projections.
- Assist in monitoring grant budget envelopes and commitments, highlighting key variances or emerging issues to relevant stakeholders.
- Manage grant fund allocations and budget envelopes to donor requirements and restrictions, to leverage the greatest impact from available resources.
- Contribute to annual budgeting and business planning processes for grants by providing financial data, analysis and support to FP&A and Grants teams.
- Management Accounting & Management Reporting (20%)
- Prepare and support grants-related financial reporting, ensuring information is accurate, timely and relevant for Grants stakeholders.
- Support monitoring of grant budgets and commitments, helping identify variances and trends in collaboration with Finance colleagues.
- Present financial information in a clear and user-friendly way, supporting Grants teams to interpret and use financial data effectively.
- Systems & Process Optimisation (10%)
- Support the effective use of the Grant Management System (GMS) in collaboration with Finance and Grants teams, including understanding financial data flows and reporting outputs.
- Lead on the financial administration of the Grant Management System, such as budgeting, budgeting codes, payments, and any required finance functionality.
- Contribute to improvements in grants-related financial processes, tools and templates in partnership with relevant stakeholders.
- Act as a liaison between Finance and Grants teams to support alignment of financial and operational workflows.
Key Outcomes
- Strong, trust-based relationships with Grants and Portfolio partners, enabling open and effective collaboration on financial matters.
- Strong financial control in all aspects of granting, efficient and maximal use of granting budgets.
- Accurate and timely grant forecasts and budgets that support organisational planning and resource allocation.
- High-quality financial insight that strengthens strategic Grant making: key reports like Grants update, key donor grants update.
- Analyse and consolidate information from Portfolio and Donor teams to inform annual funding allocations that align with organisational budgets and granting plans.
About you
We know that long lists of criteria can be discouraging and that some candidates will not apply for a role unless they feel they are 100% qualified. If you feel you meet at least some of the essential criteria, we still encourage you to apply. We also recognise that skills and experience can be gained in unexpected places, so we welcome applications from candidates who feel they have relevant skills for the role, gained from a wide range of professional, lived and learned experiences.
Essential criteria
- Relevant accounting qualification, or equivalent demonstrated through experience.
- Significant experience in grant finance management, including fund allocation, donor restrictions, foreign exchange considerations, and cost benchmarking.
- Strong financial modelling, forecasting, and scenario analysis skills, with the ability to manage complexity and identify variances early.
- Skilled in management reporting and data analysis, with the ability to present financial information in a clear and accessible way for non-finance audiences.
- Highly proficient in Excel and financial systems, with experience supporting or improving finance processes and tools.
- Experienced business partner who can translate financial data into clear, actionable insight for non-finance stakeholders up to executive level.
- Communicates clearly and confidently, in writing and verbally, across teams and cultures.
- Builds effective relationships with diverse stakeholders, influencing decisions and maintaining strong financial controls without creating barriers.
- Organised and able to manage competing priorities, working proactively with a continuous improvement mindset.
- Adapts well under pressure, shifting between workstreams and adjusting to changing priorities across a busy finance function.
- Applies sound judgement and critical thinking to identify problems early and drive practical solutions.
Location
We are advertising this role for candidates based (and with the right to work) in the UK and in the Netherlands. Please note that you will see this role advertised in multiple locations but that we are only hiring for one position based in either location, and that we are able to offer collaborative working spaces only in the Netherlands and the UK. Please apply to the job post for your preferred location.
Working for FILE
FILE is a collaborative community of individuals who share a passion for climate, nature, and justice. We bring together knowledge and experience to support our mission. Our people are empowered to lead their work both individually and as part of a wider team in order to make impactful change. As a relatively young organisation with the ambitious mission to change global systems, our roles are ideally suited to those who are strategic, innovative and collaborative, and open to growing in line with the Foundation.
How FILE supports its staff
FILE is committed to creating a workplace that supports our staff to do their best work and develop professionally. FILE offers a generous annual leave policy and additional time-off work to support wellbeing. Amongst other benefits, FILE offers private healthcare, enhanced maternity, paternity and shared parental leave, enhanced sick leave, flexibility working remotely and also abroad and a matching contribution to a pension scheme.
Applications
Please apply on our website and upload your CV and Cover Letter. This role is open for applications immediately and we accept applications on a rolling basis but we will not accept any applications after 06 July 2026. If you are interested, we encourage you to submit your application as early as possible.
Representation and Culture
FILE recognises the under-representation of historically marginalized communities and individuals in climate, nature and philanthropy spaces. We are committed to developing an organization that represents the world we are looking to protect and building a culture that supports such. In doing so FILE is committed to building policies and practices that ensure no current or prospective employee is discriminated based on disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.
Finance Business Partner – Grants in London employer: Filefoundation
At FILE, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture that empowers our staff to drive meaningful change in the fight against climate change. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, we offer generous leave policies, private healthcare, and flexible working arrangements, ensuring that our team members can thrive both personally and professionally. Located in the UK, our hybrid work model allows for a balance of remote and in-office collaboration, making it an ideal environment for innovative thinkers passionate about justice and sustainability.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Business Partner – Grants in London
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Filefoundation. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Business Partner – Grants in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Filefoundation.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Filefoundation's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Filefoundation
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Filefoundation.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Filefoundation will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Filefoundation employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
