Finance Business Partner - Operations

Location: London (remote working within the UK is possible)

Hours: Full-Time 

Remuneration: £60,000 -£65,000 depending on experience

Contract: Permanent

About FILE

The Foundation for International Law for the Environment (FILE) is a not-for-profit philanthropic organisation working to accelerate legal action on climate change. 

Through grant-making and in-house legal expertise, we empower our partners to deliver strategic, innovative legal interventions and we support lawyers in their own countries to bring their own cases. 

Legal action can unlock the systemic changes in finance, policy and social systems needed to protect all of us from climate change. The power of the law is both direct (changing policy and practice) and indirect (signalling the wider shifts taking place across these systems).

FILE is a ‘regrantor’ - this means we do not bring legal action in our own name. We receive grants from our philanthropic donors (a small group of like-minded climate foundations) and make onwards grants to partners who align with FILE’s charitable aims and purposes. We do not seek to make any profit from our activities either in a relevant financial year or in the longer term.

Role overview

The Finance Business Partner- Operations will report to the Head of Financial Planning & Analysis and works closely with the Grants team. The Finance Business Partner - Operations will play a key role within the FP&A team and in the wider organisation, supporting budget holders to effectively manage their resources, driving cost accountability and delivering clear analysis and reporting of FILE’s operational spend.

We want to hear from you if you are excited by our mission to solve the climate crisis.

Key Responsibilities will include:

• Support Budget Holders to manage budget envelopes to leverage the greatest impact from available resources and to drive cost accountability.
• Ensure cohesion and clear communication of financial data between Finance and Budget Holders, including the Senior Leadership Team, as well as with the wider organisation
• Provide guidance to Budget Holders on best practice budgeting and financial management, including approaches to foreign exchange, inflation, cost benchmarking etc
• Support quarterly forecasting with Budget Holders enabling accurate and reliable planning over short- and medium-term horizons.
• Support Annual Budgeting & Business Planning for operational cost centres, working with teams to develop models in line with strategic and financial objectives over a range of scenarios.
• Lead month end management accounting for operational expenditure, including payroll donor allocation process, and work with global accounting team on data reconciliation between relevant systems to ensure accuracy of reporting.
• Lead on production of month end cost centre reports and any additional reporting and analysis as required by Budget Holders.
• Lead on production of Donor Reports, including working with the Philanthropic Partnerships team to ensure these are delivered on time and to donor specification.
• Drive forward change and continuous improvement to systems, processes, tools and templates, including development and delivery of PowerBI reporting.

Who we're looking for

• Relevant accountancy qualification or equivalent by experience
• Charity or not-for-profit experience would be highly beneficial
• Great problem solver
• Business Partnering
• Proficiency in financial modelling using Excel and financial planning tools
• Strong attention to detail and good project management skills
• Evident analytical skills
• Communicating financial information clearly and complellingly
• Strong written and communication skills
• Presents complex financial information in a clear and understandable way
• Communicates well with people from different cultures and backgrounds
• Open to new and innovative ways of working to develop improved models, processes, and systems

Location

FILE has offices in London and the Netherlands. We are advertising this role for candidates based (and with the right to work) in the UK, or the Netherlands but will also consider applications from other locations where we are able to do so.

Therefore, please note that this role will be advertised in multiple locations, but we are only hiring for one position. Please apply to the job post for your preferred location.

Working for FILE

FILE is a collaborative community of individuals who share a passion for climate, nature, and justice. We bring together knowledge and experience to support our mission.

Our people are empowered to lead their work both individually and as part of a wider team in order to make impactful change. As a relatively young organisation with the ambitious mission to change global systems, our roles are ideally suited to those who are highly strategic, flexible and adaptable, and open to growing in line with the Foundation.

FILE is committed to challenging inequality and values diversity, equity and justice in all areas of life. Our mission, work and impact is global, with staff and partners from across the world and a range of lived experiences. We firmly believe that we are strengthened by the diversity of our partners and staff.

At FILE, we actively work to create an inclusive culture where colleagues feel welcomed, heard and supported to succeed and thrive.

How FILE supports its staff

FILE is committed to creating a workplace that supports our staff to do their best work and develop professionally. FILE offer a generous annual leave policy and additional time-off work to support wellbeing. Amongst other benefits, FILE offers private healthcare and a contribution to a pension scheme.

FILE is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and encourage candidates who can contribute to the diversity of our team to apply.
Join us in making a tangible difference in the fight against climate change by creating spaces where diverse voices come together to drive impactful solutions.

Applications

Please apply on our website and upload your CV. This role is open for applications immediately and we accept applications on a rolling basis. If you are interested, we encourage you to submit your application as early as possible. The role will close on the 27th of April. 

Diversity & Inclusion

As an equal opportunities employer, FILE is committed to the equal treatment of all current and prospective employees and does not condone discrimination on the basis of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender identity, or marriage and civil partnership.