Senior Finance Business Partner

MISSION TO METRICS
The mission of The Ocean Cleanup is to develop technology to rid the world’s oceans and rivers of plastic. The Finance Business Partner will be critical in driving financial excellence and strategic decision-making within our organization to ensure our donations are impactfully allocated. As a key liaison between the finance and program management teams, this role is designed to provide comprehensive financial support, insightful analysis, and strategic guidance as we begin the scale-up phase of our mission. 

“With all the exciting things happening here, our Finance team is right at the heart of the action, keeping an eye on the financial impact of all our amazing projects, whether they’re ongoing or just kicking off. We pride ourselves on being a fast and responsive team, ready to support the wider organization and tackle any surprises that come our way. It’s sometimes challenging but always enjoyable, and our passion for our mission keeps us energized and motivated every day” - Joy Gao, Finance Director
RESPONSIBILITIES
Financial Analysis and Reporting:

• Provide financial analysis and reporting to support decision-making processes
• Analyze financial performance, identify trends, and present findings to program managers and senior leadership
• Develop and maintain financial models to evaluate program profitability, cost-effectiveness, and ROI.

Budgeting and Forecasting:

• Collaborate with program managers to develop annual budgets and quarterly forecasts
• Monitor budget vs. actual performance and provide variance analysis and explanations
• Collaborate with program managers to identify opportunities for cost optimization and efficiency improvements.

Strategic Planning and Decision Support:

• Partner with program managers to align financial goals with strategic objectives
• Provide financial insights and recommendations to support program planning and decision-making
• Evaluate business cases for new initiatives and investments, assessing financial feasibility and potential risks.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Serve as a liaison between finance and program management teams, fostering collaboration and alignment
• Work closely with program managers to understand their financial needs and provide tailored support and guidance
• Collaborate with other departments (e.g., P&O, Operations) to ensure financial considerations are integrated into cross-functional initiatives.

Process Improvement and Efficiency:

• Identify opportunities to streamline financial processes and improve efficiency
• Implement best practices and standardized procedures to enhance financial reporting and analysis
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to optimize financial performance and resource allocation.
  

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or a related field; MBA or CPA/CA/CMA certification 
• Proven experience 8 years in financial analysis roles, with a focus on business partnering
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in financial modeling, forecasting, and budgeting
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate and influence stakeholders at all levels
• Strategic mindset with the ability to translate financial data into actionable insights and recommendations
• Experience working in a cross-functional environment and collaborating with diverse teams
• Experience with PowerBi reporting is a plus, and advanced MS Excel skills are required.

PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Self-motivated, “can do” mentality
• Intrinsic motivation to work on our ambitious and meaningful goal
• Effective Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills to convey financial information clearly and concisely to non-financial stakeholders
• Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with program managers and cross-functional teams to achieve common goals
• Relationship Building: Strong interpersonal skills to build trust and rapport with various stakeholders
• Problem-Solving: Ability to approach challenges with a solution-oriented mindset and develop innovative solutions
• Leadership: Capability to lead financial discussions and influence decision-making.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

• Work permit: A valid European Union work permit is highly preferred for this position. The role is based in Rotterdam, The Netherlands
• Starting date: As soon as possible
• Please note: because we are a non-profit, our salaries reflect that of an organization fully reliant on donations rather than that of a commercial entity. Conducting a pre-employment check is part of our recruitment process.

Curious to hear how it is to work in The Ocean Cleanup's finance team? Listen to Joy Gao, Finance Director explain this podcast.