At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead impactful blended finance projects and help them secure investment.
- Company: Join Human Planet, a partner-led advisory firm focused on climate and development.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, remote work flexibility, and meaningful project involvement.
- Other info: Collaborate with experienced partners and access a diverse portfolio of global projects.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by connecting finance with sustainable projects worldwide.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in blended finance or impact investing; strong project management skills.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Human Planet is a partner-led advisory firm linking finance and business with planet and people. Our partners are NGOs, foundations, development agencies, DFIs, founders and companies that build a healthier, fairer, greener and more just planet. We help them tap into and mobilise private capital.
The purpose of the role is to run the projects that create investability: from diagnosis and structuring through to the materials and evidence investors need to say yes. You will work alongside our partners, our Impact Investor Engagement Manager and our marketing team. Together we bring projects to the point where capital can flow.
Role
- Working alongside the partners, you will lead the day-to-day delivery of our blended finance projects and consultancies.
- You will diagnose what stands between a project and investment, design the response, and see it through.
- Partners set direction and lead senior client conversations. You run the work: plans, analysis, structures, models and deliverables, and the team and consultants who produce them.
- You also support fundraising for the opportunities we develop, working with the Impact Investor Engagement Manager and marketing so that investors receive clear, credible and well-evidenced material.
What you are responsible for
- Project delivery: Run blended finance projects and consultancies from inception to close: scope, workplan, budget, timelines, quality and partner satisfaction.
- Investability diagnostics: Assess where a project stands against investor expectations: business model, risk, track record, governance, impact evidence and pipeline. Identify the gaps and how to close them.
- Structuring: Design blended finance structures with our partners: guarantees, first-loss layers, concessional debt, recoverable grants, results-based finance and programme-related investments. Explain clearly who carries which risk and why.
- Financial analysis: Build and review financial models, cash-flow forecasts, return scenarios and risk assessments that investors can rely on.
- Impact case: Develop theories of change, impact metrics and measurement plans aligned with recognised frameworks, so that impact claims are credible and verifiable.
- Investor materials: Produce pitch decks, investment memoranda, term sheet outlines and data rooms. Prepare our partners for investor questions and due diligence.
- Fundraising support: Work with the Impact Investor Engagement Manager to match opportunities with investors, prepare Pitch Days and Circle sessions, and follow up on investor feedback.
- Team and consultants: Brief, coordinate and review the work of junior colleagues and external consultants. Keep work to our quality standard.
- Capacity: Build the skills of our partners’ teams so they can sustain the structures and investor relationships after we leave.
- Wider contribution: Contribute to business development, knowledge and record keeping: proposals and tenders, lessons and publications, and accurate project files and CRM records.
Final advice to clients rests with the partners, investment decisions with investors. The role does not include providing investment advice to investors.
How we judge success
- Above all, projects delivered on time, on budget and to our quality standard, which is rigorously quality assured.
- Clients reach investment readiness, and capital is committed to projects you have prepared.
- Investors find our materials clear, credible and complete.
- Clients rate our work highly and come back or refer others.
- Client teams can manage their structures and investor relationships after we leave.
- Partners find delivery reliable and well managed.
Your rhythm
- Weekly: Project delivery and client contact; team and consultant coordination; check-in with partners; alignment with investor engagement on live opportunities.
- Monthly: Report on project progress, risks and budget; contribute to Circle sessions or proposals as needed.
- Quarterly: Review the project portfolio and lessons with the partners; share learning with the team.
- Annually: Review your development and the practice’s delivery approach with the Managing Partner.
Your first 60 days
- Month 1: Orientation - Get to know the team, the partners, live projects and our delivery methods. Review project files, HubSpot and recent proposals.
- Month 2-3: Planning - Take over day-to-day running of one or two live projects. Contribute to a proposal and to investor materials for a live opportunity. Join a Circle session or Pitch Day.
Who we are looking for
- At least three years’ experience in blended finance, impact investing, development finance, project finance or financial advisory to development or climate organisations.
- A track record of running projects or consultancies end to end, with clear deliverables, budgets and clients.
- Sound understanding of blended finance instruments, including guarantees, first-loss capital, concessional debt, recoverable grants, results-based finance and programme-related investments.
- Strong financial modelling and analysis skills.
- Experience producing investor-ready material: business plans, investment memoranda or pitch decks.
- The ability to explain risk, return and impact clearly to NGOs, investors and donors alike.
- Experience coordinating colleagues or consultants and holding work to a high standard.
- Proven ability to work remotely and independently, with disciplined organisation.
- Ability to build trust with clients and inspire confidence in Human Planet’s work.
- Willingness to travel, as needed.
- German, French, Spanish or another language relevant to our client base.
- Experience with development finance institutions, multilaterals, bilateral donors or international NGOs.
- Familiarity with impact measurement frameworks such as IRIS+, the IMP five dimensions or SFDR.
- Experience with carbon markets, climate finance or nature-based solutions.
- Experience of living or working in emerging or frontier markets.
- Structured and dependable. You finish what you start.
- At ease moving between a spreadsheet, a workshop and an investor call.
- Candid with the organisations we work with, including when a project is not yet ready for investors.
- Comfortable with work that comes in peaks and troughs. Periods of intense activity are followed by time for concentration and continuity.
- At home in a partner-led firm: you own delivery and respect established relationships.
- Rigorous on numbers, risk and structure. Sincere on values and purpose.
- Self-driven and self-directed under our work anywhere, anytime policy. Responsible for results, not hours.
- You share our conviction that capital carries responsibility.
What we offer
- Meaningful work at the intersection of finance, climate and development.
- A varied portfolio of projects, drawn from a group that has worked with more than 300 NGO clients in over 35 countries since 2011.
- Close collaboration with experienced partners and access to their networks.
- Investor engagement, marketing and platforms already in place.
- A small senior team with short decision paths and considerable autonomy.
- A practice grounded in the Code of Conduct of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
Practicals
- Reports to: all Partners of Human Planet.
- Location: Remote, under our work anywhere, anytime policy.
- Contract: Full-time or part-time. Please state your preference.
- Remuneration: Competitive.
- Travel: Regular travel to projects, partners and investor events.
Blended Finance Manager employer: Human Planet
Human Planet provides a collaborative work environment where employees can engage with diverse stakeholders and contribute to impactful projects. The firm emphasizes professional development in the fields of impact finance and blended finance, making it an attractive employer for those passionate about sustainability.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Blended Finance Manager
✨Tip Number 1: Tap Into Professional Networks
The finance world loves a good connection, so jump into industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can find discussions on financial controlling. Engaging in these communities can expose you to hidden job leads that aren't openly advertised!
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Make it a mission to attend finance-related events and conferences, even virtual ones! This is a golden opportunity to network face-to-face with people from companies like Human Planet. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!
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Consider writing articles or sharing insights related to financial controlling or industry trends. Publish these on platforms like LinkedIn to establish yourself as a knowledgeable player in the field. This not only increases your visibility but also catches the attention of recruiters from Human Planet.
✨Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites
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We think you need these skills to ace Blended Finance Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers Game:In financial controlling, detail is everything! Make sure your CV showcases your proficiency with numbers—highlight any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, or working with financial software. Quantifying your past achievements will make you stand out, so don’t be shy about flaunting those impressive percentages or cost savings you've implemented.
Tailored Cover Letter is Key:Your cover letter is a chance to shine, especially for a full-time role. Use it to express your genuine interest in Human Planet and the specific impact you hope to make in financial controlling. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that align with the company’s goals, and don’t forget to show that you're ready for a long-term commitment!
Certifications Matter:List relevant certifications such as ACCA or CIMA on your CV. These qualifications not only showcase your dedication to the field but also your technical competence in financial principles. If you have any ongoing training or courses, make sure to mention those as well to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning in financial controlling.
Don’t Overlook Soft Skills:While numbers are crucial, so are those soft skills! Financial controllers need strong communication and analytical reasoning abilities. We recommend embedding examples of these skills in your CV and cover letter, like how you’ve successfully delivered financial reports to stakeholders or collaborated with teams to improve processes. Let’s show Human Planet how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at Human Planet
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
If you've had experience with specific financial software like SAP or Oracle, make it known! Be ready to discuss how you used these tools to improve processes or reporting, as this hands-on knowledge can really set you apart in a full-time role with Human Planet.
✨Know Your Numbers
In full-time interviews, especially in financial controlling, be prepared for numerical reasoning tests or questions. Brush up on your mental maths and understand how to interpret and analyse financial statements on the spot, as this may come up during the assessment.
✨Connect with Company Goals
Familiarise yourself with Human Planet's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!
