Finance Director in London

Finance Director in London

London Full-Time 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead financial strategy and drive growth for a mission-driven company focused on landscape regeneration.
  • Company: Join Great Yellow, a pioneering firm transforming land-use for a sustainable future.
  • Benefits: Flexible working options, competitive salary, and the chance to shape impactful projects.
  • Other info: Opportunity to elevate to CFO within 12 months and make a real difference.
  • Why this job: Be at the forefront of environmental change while advancing your finance career.
  • Qualifications: 12+ years in finance with experience in scale-ups and fundraising.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.

At Great Yellow, we're looking for a Finance Director to join our team. Full-time / Part-time · Hybrid London.

Great Yellow makes landscape regeneration investable and scalable. We envision a future where regenerative land-use is the norm, delivering measurable environmental recovery, resilient food systems, and long-term economic value. Great Yellow exists to create a clear, practical pathway to making this future a reality. Today, the way we use and manage land is pushing natural and economic systems to a breaking point. Fragile food supply chains, degraded ecosystems, rising climate risk, and failing infrastructure are driving real and growing costs for communities and the economy. By rethinking how we work with land and value nature, we can create landscapes that provide clean water, abundant nature, stable production, and long-term security. Great Yellow works to drive this transformation, moving beyond extractive models to unlock economic and ecological regeneration.

We work with:

  • Land Managers of ambitious nature recovery projects to plan and deliver ambitious, landscape-scale transformation.
  • Project Investors seeking opportunities to generate robust, risk-adjusted returns alongside verified environmental impact.
  • Buyers of ecosystem services seeking high-integrity, high-impact natural capital solutions to strengthen resilience and reduce nature-related risks.
  • And many other partners and specialists in the restoration journey.

As Finance Director, you will play a pivotal role in shaping Great Yellow's next phase of growth. Reporting to the CEO and Board, and working closely with the Executive Committee, you will own financial performance and financial strategy across the business. You will play a key role in supporting the CEO to shape and execute the Company's commercial strategy, M&A strategy, and fundraising strategy - including the execution of the Company’s Series A fundraise. As Great Yellow builds out its business, you will help ensure that its growth model is scalable, explainable to investors, and grounded in robust financial logic. The intention is to elevate the Finance Director role to a CFO and Board Director seat within 12 months of starting.

Key Responsibilities

  1. Pricing Strategy & Execution: Define the company's integrated pricing strategy across all commercial activity and support the commercial teams to execute it. Support the commercial teams with customer conversion logic, commercial pipeline forecasting, and qualification. Act as the senior financial leader in strategic customer negotiations.
  2. Financial Planning & Reporting: Own commercial financial planning: margin control, cash flow, budgeting, and resource allocation. Surface financial performance metrics and KPIs at company level; lead financial reporting to the Board. Ensure commercial decisions are grounded in clear unit economics, delivery capacity, and risk assessment. Oversee the preparation of the company's accounts and liaise with auditors as required. Own all banking and finance relationships. Manage the Financial Controller and other finance team hires as the function scales. Own compliance with statutory and regulatory obligations including KYC, corporation tax, VAT, and R&D tax credit claims.
  3. Fundraising Strategy & Investor Narrative: Work closely with the CEO to shape and stress-test Great Yellow's fundraising strategy, financial story, and investment case — including the Series A process, expected to start in the next 12 months. Translate commercial and financial traction into a compelling and credible investor narrative. Lead data room preparation, due diligence materials, and investor pitches. Work closely with the CEO to grow and manage the company's investor base; own financial reporting to investors.
  4. M&A and Strategic Transactions: Support the CEO with deal evaluation and execution of strategic acquisitions, partnerships, or joint ventures. Lead commercial and financial due diligence on target opportunities, working with the CEO and external advisors. Shape post-acquisition commercial integration plans, ensuring clarity on value creation and execution. Ensure M&A activity aligns with Great Yellow's strategy, capacity, and long-term product ambitions.
  5. Cross-ExCo Leadership & Scale Enablement: Act as a senior member of the Executive Committee, contributing to company-wide strategy, prioritisation, and trade-offs. Partner with Technology, Commercial, and Operations leadership to ensure commercial signals inform roadmap and delivery decisions. Help shift the organisation from opportunistic growth to repeatable, scalable commercial growth. Bring a pragmatic, scale-up mindset to decision-making - balancing ambition, focus, and discipline.

What Success Looks Like

In this phase of Great Yellow's growth, success in this role looks like:

  • Strong forecasting accuracy and commercial discipline; a clear focus on delivery against business milestones.
  • A pricing strategy that drives repeatable, scalable revenue across the platform.
  • Cost evolution that is supported by revenue growth, cash reserves, and fundraising strategy.
  • A credible, data-backed investor narrative grounded in real commercial traction.
  • Well-executed strategic transactions that grow the company's value and extend its competitive position.

About you

You are a senior commercial leader with a strong scale-up finance and commercial background, comfortable operating at the intersection of growth, strategy, and financial discipline.

  • 12+ years' experience in revenue, commercial, finance, or strategy roles within scale-ups, infrastructure, climate, fintech, marketplaces, or adjacent sectors.
  • Proven track record of owning financial strategies and execution in complex, multi-product or multi-stakeholder environments.
  • Experience building pricing frameworks in platform, marketplace, or data businesses.
  • Experience supporting fundraising processes — including live Series A or equivalent — and working with investors, boards, and advisors.
  • Exposure to M&A, corporate development, or strategic transactions is highly desirable.
  • Familiarity with statutory compliance obligations including R&D tax credits, VAT, and audit processes.
  • Comfortable operating in ambiguity and building structure where little exists.
  • Collaborative, humble leader who can work across technical, advisory, and delivery teams.
  • Focused on the strategy but willing to get their hands dirty as needed.
  • Excellent communication skills across audiences - able to translate complex financial and commercial thinking into clear, compelling narratives.
  • Experienced engaging investors and senior business leaders; able to build conviction through credible, data-backed storytelling that connects commercial traction to long-term value creation, in the UK and internationally.
  • Motivated by mission-driven work and the challenge of building something genuinely new.

Do you want to join our team? Then we'd love to hear about you!

Finance Director in London employer: Great Yellow

At Great Yellow, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that champions a culture of innovation and collaboration in the heart of London. Our hybrid work model offers flexibility while our commitment to landscape regeneration provides meaningful work that contributes to environmental recovery and economic resilience. With ample opportunities for professional growth, including the potential elevation to CFO within a year, we empower our employees to thrive in a dynamic and mission-driven environment.

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Contact Details:

Great Yellow Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Finance Director in London

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector and let them know you're on the hunt for a Finance Director role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity or can put in a good word for you.

Tip Number 2

Get your pitch ready! When you land that interview, be prepared to talk about how your experience aligns with Great Yellow's mission. Show them how your financial strategies can help drive their vision of regenerative land-use.

Tip Number 3

Research, research, research! Dive deep into Great Yellow’s projects and values. The more you know, the better you can tailor your conversations and demonstrate your genuine interest in their work.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team at Great Yellow.

We think you need these skills to ace Finance Director in London

Financial Strategy
Commercial Strategy
M&A Strategy
Fundraising Strategy
Financial Planning
Budgeting
Cash Flow Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Finance Director role. Highlight your relevant experience in financial strategy, fundraising, and M&A, as these are key aspects of the job. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission at Great Yellow!

Showcase Your Impact:When detailing your past roles, focus on the impact you've made rather than just listing responsibilities. Use metrics and examples to illustrate how you've driven financial performance or supported successful fundraising efforts. This will help us understand the value you can bring to our team.

Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We’re looking for a collaborative and humble leader, so don’t be afraid to share your motivations and what drives you. A genuine connection to our mission of landscape regeneration will definitely catch our eye!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for joining Great Yellow and being part of our journey!

How to prepare for a job interview at Great Yellow

Know Your Numbers

As a Finance Director, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used them in past roles. This shows you can not only manage finances but also drive strategic decisions.

Understand the Mission

Great Yellow is all about landscape regeneration and sustainability. Familiarise yourself with their mission and values. Be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals and how you can contribute to their vision of a sustainable future.

Prepare for Scenario Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios, especially around fundraising and M&A. Think of examples from your past where you've successfully navigated similar challenges and be ready to share those stories.

Showcase Your Leadership Style

As a senior leader, your ability to collaborate and lead teams is crucial. Be ready to discuss your leadership style and how you've fostered collaboration across departments. Highlight any experiences where you've driven change or growth in a team setting.