Head of Finance and Risk in London

UK Green Building Council is the industry network with a mission to radically transform the built environment in the face of the climate and nature crises. We champion bold government action and convene the ambitious sections of industry to drive progress at pace and scale. This is an opportunity to play a role at the forefront of tackling the climate and nature crises and to protect communities. Nature is in collapse and our buildings and communities will not withstand the climate impacts we face without urgent action. The places we live, work and play in must, and can, be part of the solution, not the problem.

We are a multi‑disciplinary team of c.30 passionate, skilled people from across the UK with a London office hub. As a green charity, we prize our welcoming and inclusive work culture with wellbeing and professional development at its heart.

We are seeking an experienced and talented Head of Finance and Risk with strong financial acumen and the ability to translate complex themes into clear narratives, to contribute significantly to the strategic direction of UKGBC. This role is ideal for a mid‑to‑senior career professional looking for a leadership role, and is keen to play a pivotal role in an increasingly vital and influential organisation. The successful candidate will manage UKGBC's finances; develop and maintain financial models to support strategic decision‑making, and provide high‑quality financial data and analysis to senior management, while overseeing internal risk processes. They will also develop a broad insight into UKGBC's mission and goals through working with a passionate and knowledgeable team of colleagues and with businesses across the built environment value chain.

We are an equal‑opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, or any protected characteristic. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels welcome and valued. Our commitment to inclusivity means we support flexible work arrangements, ensuring work‑life balance for all. We prioritise accessibility and will gladly accommodate any needs upon request, as we believe in providing a barrier‑free recruitment process. We recognise that people of colour, those from different socio‑economic backgrounds, and those from minoritised groups are currently underrepresented at all levels within the industry. We are on the lookout for talented individuals with a wide range of skills and experiences and are eager to welcome candidates from underrepresented groups.

Key responsibilities

• Financial Management
  • Co‑ordinate and drive the budget process, in tandem with the annual operating planning process.
  • Monthly re‑forecasting and reporting, including explanation of variances in language useful to non‑finance specialists.
  • Analyse and plan to support decision‑making / identify alternative courses of action.
  • Prepare financial papers for the Risk and Audit committee and the Board of Trustees, including attendance at Risk and Audit committee meetings.
  • Provide input to funding applications, commercial decisions and opportunities.
• Financial Control and Risk Oversight
  • Maintain control of and make improvements to financial systems.
  • Responsibility for the integrity of UKGBC's balance sheet.
  • Update and enforce UKGBC's authorisation matrix.
  • Ensure accuracy of transactions within Quickbooks and the mirroring of Salesforce records.
  • Oversee Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, VAT, and expenses via the Finance Manager.
  • Oversee the payroll process, company pensions, tax and NI.
  • Oversee the organisational risk management process.
  • Identify and report financial and wider risks, including suggesting potential mitigation and insurance.
  • Drive continual improvement of processes.
• Financial Reporting and Cashflow Forecasting
  • Oversee the annual audit.
  • Document processes and policies.
  • Statutory reporting and keep company policies up to date in accordance with SORP and UK GAAP, for both the charity and dormant trading entity.
  • Work with the team to understand the timetable of activities, challenge cost assumptions, reclaim budget where appropriate, identify changes in and drivers of performance, evaluate and suggest alternative courses of action.
• Governance
  • Liaise with auditors in delivery of audited accounts.
  • Maintain records at Companies House, The Charities Commission, HMRC and other official bodies (familiarity with The Charities Statement of Recommended Practice).
  • Contribute to the preparation of papers for regular Board meetings and workshops.
• Treasury
  • Manage and maintain UKGBC's investment strategy, and securely deposit funds with appropriate organisations, to achieve an acceptable return with minimal risk.
  • Maintain key controls of third‑party banking software (including investments and credit cards).
  • Oversee banking processes and authorisation processes.
  • Provide and update a cashflow forecast, and ensure adequate cashflows between working capital and investments.
• Leadership and Personnel
  • Communicate and engage consistently with the finance team and the wider organisation to drive success. The Head of Finance and Risk has one direct report, the Finance Manager, and the Finance Officer reports to the Finance Manager.
  • Occasionally lead aspects of regular organisational‑wide meetings related to UKGBC culture and operations or projects and workstreams.
  • Clearly communicate and explain financial matters to the wider team when called upon.
  • Take a proactive approach to your own learning and professional development.
• Other
  • Maintain key professional administrative relationships, including auditors, banks, insurers, HR advisors, legal services, pension providers, and IT providers.
  • Act as the central organisational point for oversight, reviewing and supporting contracts and agreements for IT functions.

Ideal candidate: person and skills

• Mission: A passion for tackling the climate, nature and cost of living crises, and a commitment to UKGBC's mission.
• Integrity: An inclusive approach that conveys and embeds honesty and transparency as a standard.
• Attitude: A positive, proactive, problem‑solving approach with demonstrable agility to perform duties that may lie outside core accountabilities.
• Teamwork and Leadership: Demonstrable ability to lead a small finance team, motivate others, and create a positive working environment.
• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication and presentation skills; ability to share complex ideas and concepts consistently in a clear manner; good analytical and influencing skills.
• Project Management: Efficient planning, organisational, and time management skills.
• Administration: Strong administrative and computer literacy skills (standard software packages, mainly Microsoft Office); advanced Excel skills.
• Strategic Thinking: Good experience in strategy setting and horizon scanning, with aptitude in decision‑making and problem‑solving; impact‑oriented with a focus on delivering outcomes and impact; agile in how to achieve them.
• Critical Thinking: Supported by good research skills.
• Knowledge: CIMA/ACCA/ACA qualification or equivalent; extensive knowledge of financial procedures, budgeting, forecasting and reporting; ability to interpret data, identify trends, and make recommendations; best practices across charity and built environment organisations, including dual financial reporting; preparation of management accounts and financial information in various formats to aid decision‑making; requirements of Companies House and the Charity Commission, and familiarity with The Charities Statement of Recommended Practice; office / premises management, including building management liaison and IT / tech management; reporting on environmental footprint.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Proven experience of people management and collaboration.

Terms and conditions

• Contract: Permanent
• Salary: £65,000 - £74,000 (dependent on experience)