Head of Finance

About Rainforest Builder

Rainforest Builder is an integrated nature tech company focused on the restoration of tropical forests at landscape scale. We are on a mission to restore a million hectares of rainforest in Africa, sequestering hundreds of millions of tonnes of CO2, restoring native biodiversity, and delivering equitable economic growth to our host communities. 

We are working to combine forestry industry know-how with the latest restoration science, AI and technology to deliver the highest-quality carbon and biodiversity credits. We source, finance, and operate tropical forest restoration projects for some of the world’s largest investors. Our first two countries of operation are Ghana and Sierra Leone. 

What makes us different: 

Science-focused – we are investing heavily to build globally-leading knowledge on rainforest restoration, from R&D in species selection and silvicultural methodologies, to applying advanced analytics to projecting carbon and biodiversity outcomes. Embedding the latest science in our work allows us to drive continuous improvements in the quality of the projects that we execute.

Biodiversity at our core – we specialise in restoring degraded land to indigenous tropical forest ecosystems, using only native species, ensuring not only large-scale carbon sequestration but the restoration of biodiversity too. We measure, quantify, and verify our biodiversity impact alongside carbon.

Positive community impact – we focus on landscape-scale restoration with the highest standards of direct community engagement, working to professionalise the sector and deliver inclusive economic growth to our host communities.

Fully integrated approach – we execute and manage projects directly with our own specialist restoration forestry teams on the ground, ensuring that we can directly guarantee the continued quality and integrity of a project. We do not believe that long-term, large-scale carbon projects can be outsourced.

Your Role 

Based in London with travel to our operations, Rainforest Builder’s Head of Finance will be one of the most senior positions in the company. You will report directly to the founders to ensure our financial processes are best-in-class and that all transactions across the group adhere to them.

You will lead a growing team of Finance Managers across a number of country units to maintain rigorous controls on spending and implement cashflow management across a fast-growing and complex group with multiple business units.

An experienced accountant, you will be the primary business leader responsible for our reporting, including accounting and KPI tracking for group companies and individual projects, for internal and external (statutory reporting and IR) purposes. You will also manage detailed annual and monthly budgeting for our large-scale reforestation projects that enable multi-million-dollar investment decisions and ensure their success.

With a deep understanding of financial best practices, you will help ensure that our approach to business-critical issues such as AML and ABC risk is watertight and ensures the confidence of all our stakeholders.

Your Responsibilities 

• Implement financial policies and procedures across group companies (including UK, Ghana and Sierra Leone)
• Stringently manage and reconcile group cashflows, with the support of Finance Manager reports, tracking transactions across all group companies
• Oversee all financial and operational reporting, including regular management accounts and project-level reports, and in collaboration with auditors, annual statutory accounts
• Manage budgeting processes across the group and track performance against them
• Oversee procurement processes to ensure our financial integrity at all times, scrutinising costs and supplier performance
• Ensure compliance with all relevant statutory measures such as AML, ABC and Sanctions
• Regularly review group operations and financial performance to find opportunities for efficiencies
• Ensure the smooth operation of crucial financial processes such as payroll and invoicing
• Provide financial due diligence and analysis support to investment decision-making
• Provide the financial architecture needed to support the building of our carbon and biodiversity credit marketing operations
• Directly monitor the financial performance of the business and adherence to standards on the ground in-country

Requirements 

• Qualified chartered accountant (ACA or equivalent), with deep understanding of IFRS
• A minimum of eight years' experience in financial controlling or a financial leadership role, ideally in a company with multiple subsidiaries across multiple countries
• Ability to travel 50% of the time to Ghana, Sierra Leone, and new countries of operation
• Deep understanding of blue-chip corporate best financial practices in Africa
• Experience in a fast-paced, high-growth environment
• Strong organisational and analytical skills
• Strong budgeting and cashflow management expertise
• Educated to degree level (minimum 2.i)
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across multiple departments and geographies
• Big Four or similar audit experience (desirable)
• Experience working in a finance function in sub-Saharan Africa (desirable) 
• Experience working with OHADA and working proficiency in French (desirable)

Benefits 

• Competitive salary and employee share option scheme
• 25 days paid holiday per year, plus bank holidays
• Dedicated professional development allowance and wellness allowances
• Generous parental leave and workplace nursery scheme

To Apply please click the Apply button and upload your CV and cover letter!