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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance and operations, manage budgets, and streamline processes in a fast-paced startup.
- Company: Kernel helps revenue teams research companies efficiently, backed by top VCs and industry leaders.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, free dinners after 6 pm, 24 days holiday, and equity options.
- Why this job: Shape the future of a growing startup while working with innovative teams and top clients.
- Qualifications: 4-7 years in finance or operations, strong analytical skills, and Excel expertise required.
- Other info: Minimum 4 days a week in the London office; expect long hours and dynamic challenges.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
About Kernel
Kernel enables revenue teams to research companies as if they had unlimited time. We’re growing extremely fast and working with many of the best revenue teams in the world like Remote.com, Navan, Zip, GoCardless, Cognism, and many more. Our customers use Kernel to find complete overviews of ideal customers and pursue the right companies.
The Role
We’re looking for our first Finance & Operations Lead to join the team. You’ll be the force behind everything from managing our financial engine to building the internal systems that help us scale. This is a unique opportunity to help shape the future of a VC-backed startup as we grow from Series A to beyond.
Important to Know:
- Hours: This will be an exciting but intense job. Kernel is growing extremely fast and hours can often be long. Many of our customers are on the West Coast, and meetings can be held late in the evening.
- Working location: Minimum 4 days a week in the London office (most people do 5).
Responsibilities
- Build and own our finance function: You will take us from spreadsheets and contractors to an in-house, automated, and scalable finance stack. Own everything from day-to-day bookkeeping to long-term financial planning.
- Budgeting, forecasting & reporting: Work with our CEO to lead budgeting, reporting, forecasting, and cash flow. Set targets and ensure we’re making informed, financially sound decisions.
- Be the operational backbone: Work cross-functionally to improve how we run. Whether it’s streamlining customer billing, setting up new offices, or thinking through our People strategies or legal affairs — you’ll make the machine run smoother.
- Support our go-to-market and product teams: Help our teams stay ahead of customer contracts, onboarding & renewals.
Your Traits
- All-in: You’re not afraid to roll up your sleeves and handle whatever needs doing — from chasing down invoices to building financial models.
- Entrepreneurial: You’re a creative, resourceful generalist. You like solving problems, figuring things out fast, and working with limited structure or playbooks.
- Analytical: You’re organised, detail-obsessed, and care deeply about doing things the right way.
Essential Qualifications:
- ~4-7 years of high-stakes generalist experience.
- A heavy (strategic) finance angle to your work. You will need to be an Excel (Sheets) expert.
- Proven ability to just get stuff done directly, and via influence/leadership.
- Exceptional attention to detail and a master of written communications.
- Comfortable with a broad range of modern Business Operations & Automation tools.
- Strong analytical and technical skills (SQL + an excel wizard).
- Ability to manage external partners (e.g. accountants, legal counsel, HR/payroll providers).
Nice-To-Have:
- Ideally, some of your time has been spent in a fast-paced startup environment.
- Experience owning or supporting one or more core business functions such as Finance, Ops, People, or Legal.
What we offer:
- Working directly with the founding team.
- A phenomenal platform for accelerated career growth.
- Dinner: Free when working past 6 pm.
- Holidays: 24 days plus bank holidays.
- Salary: £80-£100k.
- Equity: Option grant on employee-friendly terms.
- Flexibility: Ability to work abroad for 2-weeks a year + flexibility during the working week for appointments (or anything else).
Head of Finance & Operations (London) employer: Kernel
Contact Detail:
Kernel Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance & Operations (London)
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with Kernel's unique approach to finance and operations. Understanding how they automate financial processes will help you demonstrate your alignment with their goals during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the finance and operations sectors, especially those who have experience in fast-paced startups. This can provide insights into the role and potentially lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your previous experiences in detail, particularly any instances where you've successfully implemented financial systems or improved operational efficiency. Real-life examples will make you stand out.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on the latest trends in finance technology and automation tools. Being knowledgeable about these can showcase your proactive approach and readiness to contribute to Kernel's growth.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance & Operations (London)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in finance and operations. Focus on your achievements in budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning, as these are key responsibilities for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your entrepreneurial spirit and problem-solving skills. Mention specific examples of how you've improved operational processes or managed financial functions in previous roles.
Highlight Analytical Skills: Emphasise your analytical abilities in your application. Provide examples of how you've used data to make informed decisions, and mention your proficiency with tools like Excel and SQL.
Show Enthusiasm for Startups: Express your interest in working within a fast-paced startup environment. Share any relevant experiences that demonstrate your adaptability and willingness to take on diverse challenges.
How to prepare for a job interview at Kernel
✨Showcase Your Financial Expertise
Make sure to highlight your experience with financial management, budgeting, and forecasting. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed finances in previous roles, especially in high-stakes environments.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
Kernel values entrepreneurial spirit and resourcefulness. Prepare to share instances where you've tackled complex problems or streamlined processes, particularly in finance or operations. This will show that you can adapt and thrive in a fast-paced startup environment.
✨Emphasise Attention to Detail
Given the analytical nature of the role, be ready to discuss how you ensure accuracy in your work. Bring examples of how you've maintained high standards in financial reporting or data management, as this is crucial for the position.
✨Prepare for Cross-Functional Collaboration
As the role involves working across various teams, think about how you've successfully collaborated with different departments in the past. Be ready to explain how you can support teams like go-to-market and product, ensuring smooth operations and effective communication.
