At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and evolve finance operations while building a high-performing team.
- Company: Join Heat Geek, a passionate community focused on low-carbon heating solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, shares, health insurance, and a learning budget.
- Other info: Enjoy a hybrid work model in Europe's biggest climate tech hub with a vibrant team culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced startup environment with a focus on sustainability.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with startup experience and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Your Mission
Our Heat Geek community is excited to bring a Head of Finance into our team. This person will own and evolve our finance function as Heat Geek scales. This is a hands‑on leadership role: you'll set the standards, build the processes, guide decision‑making, and develop a high‑performing finance team. You'll balance strategic oversight with operational detail, bringing clarity, structure, and insight to a fast‑moving business.
Role Outputs
- Financial Operations
- Own the management and documentation of FinOps processes, procedures, and roles, including the company share options scheme.
- Iteratively review and improve finance processes as they are undertaken, ensuring they scale with the business.
- Manage FinOps priorities, projects, tasks, and deadlines.
- Run regular meetings to align BAU and project work across the team, balancing priorities against capacity and advocating for financial process improvements to be built into the technical platform.
- Reporting & Analysis
- Produce monthly profit and loss reporting, including insightful analysis against historic and budgeted figures.
- Own balance sheet reporting, including cash, debtor, and creditor reviews.
- Deliver clear, accurate, and timely financial insight to the leadership team.
- Planning, Budgeting & Cash Flow
- Lead quarterly budgeting and reforecasting.
- Produce and maintain cash forecasts and runway reporting.
- Support strategic decision‑making through scenario modelling and forward‑looking analysis.
- Leadership & Team Building
- Build, mentor, and lead a highly successful finance team.
- Set clear expectations, roles, and development pathways.
- Foster a culture of ownership, continuous improvement, and commercial thinking.
- Stakeholder Support
- Act as a trusted financial partner to the CEO, COO and leadership team.
- Support fundraising, investor reporting, and external stakeholders as required.
- Ensure financial controls and governance remain robust but proportionate to a startup environment.
Candidate Requirements
- Qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA or equivalent).
- Proven startup or scale‑up experience.
- Comfortable operating in ambiguity and building structure where little exists.
- Strong commercial mindset with excellent analytical skills.
- A genuine desire to build and lead high‑performing teams.
- Practical and detail‑oriented, but able to zoom out to the bigger picture.
- Passionate about Heat Geek's mission and the transition to low‑carbon heating.
Optional Bonus Experience
- Experience within a VC backed or private investor driven company.
- Experience managing finances for international teams.
- Worked in companies with multiple entities.
- Worked in FinOps and/or process improvement.
- Experience with a marketplace business model.
- Experience with heat pumps, renewable energy, construction, or utilities.
Ways of Working & Benefits
This is a 3‑day‐in‑the‑office hybrid role where you will work with the team at our office in Sustainable Ventures in Waterloo, Europe's biggest climate tech hub.
- £5,000 contribution towards your own heat pump installation.
- Shares in the company, allocated under a tax‑incentivised scheme.
- Salary that’s evaluated regularly, and based on skills, impact, and role scope, not negotiation tactics.
- Private medical & dental insurance.
- Learning and development budget.
- Annual summer retreat.
- Gym membership contribution.
- Season ticket loan.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Yoga, run club and social events with other sustainability startups in our co‑working space.
- Monthly socials and regular collaboration opportunities with a team that’s passionate, hardworking, and kind.
Head of Finance employer: Heat Geek
Heat Geek is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and supportive work culture within Europe's largest climate tech hub in Waterloo. As the Head of Finance, you will not only lead a high-performing finance team but also enjoy a range of benefits including a generous contribution towards your own heat pump installation, shares in the company, and a commitment to your professional growth through learning and development budgets. Join us for a meaningful career where your contributions directly impact the transition to low-carbon heating, all while enjoying a collaborative environment filled with passionate individuals.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those who have experience in startups or scale-ups. A personal recommendation can make all the difference when you're aiming for that Head of Finance role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into Heat Geek's mission and values. Show us how your experience aligns with our goals, especially in low-carbon heating. Tailor your responses to highlight your strategic oversight and operational detail skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just talk about your achievements; bring data to back it up! When discussing your past roles, share specific examples of how you improved financial processes or led successful teams. Numbers speak louder than words!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for Heat Geek's mission shine through. We want to see that you genuinely care about the transition to low-carbon heating and how your skills can contribute to that goal.
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in startups or scale-ups. We’re looking for someone who can navigate ambiguity and build structure, so share specific examples of how you've done this in your previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and focus on delivering your message effectively. Remember, we want to understand your qualifications without wading through fluff!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen to be part of our community!
How to prepare for a job interview at Heat Geek
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Head of Finance, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles. Prepare examples of how you've improved financial processes or reporting in the past.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
This role requires building and leading a high-performing finance team. Be prepared to share your experiences in mentoring and developing team members. Highlight specific instances where you've fostered a culture of ownership and continuous improvement.
✨Understand the Business Context
Heat Geek is all about low-carbon heating solutions. Familiarise yourself with the company's mission and how finance plays a role in achieving it. Be ready to discuss how you can align financial strategies with the company's goals and support its growth.
✨Prepare for Scenario Modelling Questions
Given the emphasis on planning and budgeting, expect questions around scenario modelling and cash flow forecasting. Think through potential scenarios that could impact the business and how you would approach financial planning in those situations.
