At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and operations while driving growth in a high-impact clean energy company.
- Company: Join OpenSolar, a global leader in solar software dedicated to sustainability.
- Benefits: Flexible leave, professional development, and a supportive, inclusive work culture.
- Other info: Collaborative team environment focused on innovation and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the clean energy movement and shape the future of finance.
- Qualifications: Proven CFO experience in high-growth tech, with strong commercial acumen and venture capital knowledge.
The predicted salary is between 121500 - 148500 £ per year.
About Us
Open Solar was founded in 2017 by global pioneers in solar software - Andrew Birch and Adam Pryor.
Open Solar exists to accelerate the adoption of solar and renewable energy globally.
We provide the world's clean energy professionals with an end-to-end digital design, sales and management software to grow their businesses, free of charge, embedded with an ecosystem of services on which Open Solar generates revenue.
Open Solar is driven by its mission to accelerate the adoption of solar for a world powered by sunshine by 2050.
We stay focused on our mission by obsessing over the experience of our end users, being open and honest, solving problems through careful and deliberate design, and by keeping things simple.
Open Solar is a truly global organisation with our team spread across 15 countries and our user base spread over 185+ countries.
Find out more about our world class crew here: https://www. opensolar. com/about
At Open Solar, we are dedicated to cultivating a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes inclusivity.
Our goal is to build a team that is reflective of the communities we serve, recognising that diversity brings strength and richness to our organisation.
We believe that everyone should feel empowered to bring their authentic selves to work and we are committed to creating an environment where all employees are valued, respected, and supported.
We actively seek to attract and retain a talented workforce that represents the breadth of our society.
We provide equal opportunities for everyone to thrive and advance in their careers, enabling them to achieve their full potential.
This is your opportunity to be part of the clean energy movement, creating a lasting impact on the world. All while being part of a passionate, fun, and highly collaborative team.
About the Role
We are looking for an entrepreneurial and commercially focused Chief Financial Officer reporting to the Chief Executive Officer to join our leadership team and play a critical role in the next stage of our growth.
This is a hands-on CFO position for someone who combines strong financial leadership with genuine commercial instinct.
We are looking for someone who understands how to build and scale a high-growth technology business, can operate confidently with founders, executives and Boards, and brings meaningful experience of the venture capital ecosystem.
We also seek direct experience in fintech, with the candidate having experience driving new revenue lines from embedded financial services, such as payments, working capital, insurance and other services, to generate value from a high-volume technology platform.
The successful candidate will ideally have worked within high growth businesses that have driven significant revenue growth from $10m to $100m+ in revenue and progressed through Series B, Series C and/or later-stage funding rounds and will understand what is required financially and operationally as a company moves through different stages of growth.
The CFO role will own our financial strategy and financial operations while acting as a close commercial partner to the CEO, the Board and wider Open Solar Operations Team.
What You'll Do
As CFO, you will have responsibility for the financial performance, strategy and financial infrastructure of the business.
You will
- Act as a strategic and commercial partner to the CEO, Executive Leadership Team and Board.
- Own the company's financial strategy, planning, forecasting, budgeting and cash management.
- Maintain clear visibility of cash runway and ensure capital is deployed effectively against the company's strategic priorities.
- Design and deliver the company's financial services strategy, owning revenue delivery from this area of the product, and working in partnership with the product and sales teams to execute the strategy.
- Provide commercial insight and challenge to support better and faster executive decision-making.
- Develop sophisticated financial models and scenario planning to support growth, investment and strategic decisions.
- Partner with commercial leaders on revenue growth, pricing, margins, customer economics and market expansion.
- Own Board and investor financial reporting, ensuring performance, risks and opportunities are communicated clearly.
- Lead and support future capital-raising activities, including financial modelling, investor materials, due diligence and data-room preparation.
- Develop and maintain strong relationships across the venture capital and investment community.
- Work directly with existing and prospective investors and act as a credible representative of the company within the capital markets.
- Provide financial leadership on strategic partnerships, acquisitions, new markets and other investment opportunities.
- Own financial reporting, statutory accounts, audit, tax, treasury and regulatory compliance.
- Ensure appropriate financial governance, controls and risk management are maintained as the organisation scales.
- Develop the finance function, systems and capabilities required to support the company's future growth.
What We're Looking For
We are looking for an experienced finance leader who can demonstrate
- Alignment with our values and fit with our culture.
- Significant experience in a senior finance leadership role, as a CFO within a high-growth technology organisation.
- Experience within a venture-backed software company, with direct experience delivering revenue from embedded financial services from $10m to $100m+.
- First-hand experience operating through Series B, Series C or later-stage funding environments.
- Meaningful involvement in capital raising, investor due diligence and VC negotiations.
- Strong knowledge of the international venture capital landscape, ideally supported by an established network across investors, advisers and the broader funding ecosystem.
- Experience working directly with founders, CEOs, C-suite executives and Boards.
- Strong commercial acumen and the ability to look beyond the numbers to understand the underlying drivers of business performance.
- Excellent financial modelling, forecasting and scenario-planning capability.
- Experience managing cash and capital allocation within a high-growth environment.
- Strong understanding of Saa S and technology business models and their associated financial and operating metrics.
- Experience working within an international or geographically distributed business would be highly advantageous.
- A recognised accounting qualification such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent would be highly regarded.
- The Person
This role requires more than technical finance expertise.
We are looking for someone who is entrepreneurial, commercially ambitious and comfortable operating in an environment where they will help shape the future of the business.
You will naturally ask not only, \"What do the numbers say?\" but also, \"What should we do about it?\", and then be able to work collaboratively to deliver solutions driven by your own initiative, with oodles of humility and a good sense of humour.
You will be comfortable moving between strategic and operational work.
On any given day, that could mean presenting to the Board, designing a financial service to be launched across tens of thousands of solar professionals, challenging a commercial forecast, talking with a potential investor, reviewing cash requirements, evaluating an investment opportunity or getting into the details with the finance team.
You will be
- Entrepreneurial and commercially minded.
- Strategic while remaining willing to be hands-on.
- Highly analytical and intellectually curious.
- Confident challenging assumptions and constructively challenging senior leaders.
- Credible with Boards, investors and external stakeholders.
- Comfortable operating with ambiguity and at pace.
- Pragmatic and solutions-oriented.
- Low ego and highly collaborative.
- Energised by building rather than simply maintaining.
What we bring
- A Passionate, Driven, and Highly Collaborative Team: Join a team that is dedicated to making a difference, where collaboration and passion drive our success.
- Mission-Focused Organization with a Well-being-Led
Culture: We prioritize both our mission to drive clean energy solutions and the well-being of our team members, fostering a supportive andnhealthy work environment.
- A large and growing base of solar professional users and service partners already connecting and operating on our platform, the leading software platform in the solar electrification sector globally
- A Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Work Environment: We celebrate diversity and inclusivity, creating a workplace where everyone's contributions are valued and respected.
- Professional Development and Support for Your Growth: We invest in your development with opportunities for learning and advancement, supporting your career journey.
- Constant Exposure to New Opportunities: Experience a dynamic work environment where you'll encounter cutting-edge technology solutions and innovative projects.
- Fast-Paced Environment with Leading Technology Solutions: Work at the forefront of the clean energy sector, leveraging state-of-the-art technology to drive impactful change.
- Flexible Leave Options: Enjoy flexibility to manage your life-work priorities with leave options that support your personal and professional well-being.
- Opportunity to Create a Lasting Impact: Be part of the clean energy movement and contribute to a sustainable future, making a meaningful impact on a global scale.
Chief Financial Officer employer: OpenSolar
OpenSolar is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and collaborative work culture, perfect for those passionate about renewable energy. With a focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to lead innovative marketing campaigns across diverse regions while working alongside a talented team. Located in the UK, OpenSolar offers a unique chance to make a meaningful impact in the solar industry, driving sustainability and engagement on a global scale.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Financial Officer
✨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!
✨Tip Number 2: Attend Finance Events and Conferences
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 OpenSolar. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!
✨Tip Number 3: Showcase Your Expertise
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 OpenSolar.
✨Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites
Since you're going for a full-time gig, don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page of companies you're interested in, like OpenSolar. Many companies prefer candidates who apply through their website as it shows genuine interest and makes your application stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Financial Officer
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 OpenSolar 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 OpenSolar how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at OpenSolar
✨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 OpenSolar.
✨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 OpenSolar'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!