Full job descriptionHarper May is partnering with an early-stage, mission-led climate-tech business developing high-integrity, nature-based carbon credits at scale. Backed by a strong founding team and an experienced group of investors, the business is now preparing for a Series B fundraise and building out the operating platform that will support the next phase of growth. A Senior Finance Manager, stepping into a Head of Finance seat, is being appointed to own the finance function end to end, partner directly with the COO on planning and controls, and be a key operator through the upcoming raise.
The Role
Reporting directly to the COO and working closely with the wider leadership team, the Senior Finance Manager / Head of Finance will own everything from the day-to-day close through to Series B fundraise-ready modelling, board reporting and financial controls. The role is genuinely hands-on and broad: a real chance to own the finance function of a fast-growing climate-tech business and shape the systems, processes and reporting as the company scales.
Key Responsibilities
*Own the monthly close, with a target of audit-ready books by working day 10
*Manage the external bookkeeping partner, reviewing work for accuracy and completeness
*Own statutory compliance across annual accounts, VAT and R&D tax credit filings
*Audit and optimise the finance stack across Xero, CRM, payroll and banking, and design scalable SOPs, expense workflows and spend controls
*Deliver monthly and quarterly financial packages, including P&L, balance sheet, cash flow and variance analysis
*Own cash flow forecasting and working capital management in a pre-scale environment
*Prepare investor updates and board decks in partnership with the COO and CEO
*Build the multi-year integrated financial model for the Series B fundraise, standing up to VC scrutiny
*Partner with the leadership team on project finance models, unit economics and commercial decisions
What we are looking for
*Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA), or equivalent fully completed
*Prior experience in an early-stage start-up or scale-up finance function is essential
*Direct experience of a fundraise, ideally Series A or Series B, including building the model and supporting due diligence
*Strong technical grounding in monthly close, statutory reporting, VAT and R&D tax credits
*Confident with Xero and comfortable configuring and integrating finance systems
*Able to build a multi-year integrated financial model that stands up to VC scrutiny
*Commercially minded, hands-on, and comfortable owning the numbers end to end in a lean team
*UK-based, comfortable working remotely within +/- 2 hours of UK time