Chief Financial Officer

The European Climate Foundation is looking for a:

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

About the European Climate Foundation

The European Climate Foundation (ECF) is a major philanthropic initiative working to help tackle the climate crisis by fostering the transition to a net-zero emission society at the national, European and global level. As a regranter, we support around 700 partner organisations to carry out activities that drive urgent and ambitious policy in support of the objectives of the Paris Agreement, contribute to the public debate on climate action and help deliver a socially responsible transition to a net-zero economy and sustainable society in Europe and around the world.

The ECF brings together diverse perspectives and backgrounds to find the best innovative solutions to tackle climate change. We are focusing on engaging and hiring great people from a wide diversity of backgrounds to strengthen the cause. If you share our values of respect, innovation, and collaboration, join us.

About the role

We are seeking a strategically minded Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to oversee our financial health and build robust systems that support our scaling impact. As a core member of the ECF Management Team, you will align our financial strategies with our mission and the evolving organisational strategy, ensuring the absolute integrity of our assets while optimizing resources.

The ideal candidate will bring a sophisticated understanding of non-profit or foundation finance, international and Dutch fund accounting, compliance, and impact investing.

Reporting to the Managing Director, you lead the Financial Grants Management, Accounting and Financial Controlling functions, together with the procurement and legal functions of the foundation, and the fiscal hosting infrastructure and department , supported by their respective team. You are part of the ECF Management Team, and as such co-responsible for the organisational management of the foundation. 

Key responsibilities

You oversee the Financial Grants Management, Accounting and Financial Controlling, Procurement, Legal and Fiscal hosting departments.

• You further optimize the company’s financial short- and long-term strategy
• You are the overall responsible for all financial activities: income management, budget, accountancy, cash management, treasury, financial reporting to funders and business control.
• You facilitate the decisions around annual budgets together with the larger Management Team, and you ensure a rigorous follow-up.
• You ensure and steer efficient business control management to meet the necessary compliancy rules.
•  You ensure strict compliance with European, national, and international financial regulations governing foundations.
• Monitor, alert and propose mitigation actions on financial risks due to geopolitical situations.
• Participate in the strategic workforce planning of the organization. 
• Identify areas and develop strategies to improve efficiency in the department.
• You implement and lead the procurement function.
• You manage relationships with internal/external auditors and legal counsel; oversee internal controls to mitigate operational and financial risk.
• You ensure all financial reporting is done in a compliant and timely manner.
• You represent the foundation to key external administrative providers.
• You lead, mentor, and scale a high-performing team of professionals, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
• You report work evolution and results to the Management Team, the MD and the CEO.

You are a member of the ECF Management Team

• Close collaboration with the ED Strategic Partnerships to ensure financial reporting compliance and use of funds to ECF funders.
• Alongside the other management team members, strive for common understanding of ECF priorities and activities across all parts of the ecosystem in order to enable knowledge sharing and input into collective organisational processes. 
• You ensure the right level of governance and compliance in the foundation, while maintaining flexible and innovative mindsets 

–  You help improve systems functioning and resolve issues, while managing change in an inclusive manner. 

Experience and competencies

• Significant work experience including at least 15 years of senior organizational /operational financial management with proven CFO experience 
• Excellent leadership skills to build and drive strong teams that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals.  
• Experience with financial and compliancy obligations for a foundation registered in the Netherlands (ideally a regranter).
•  Experience working in international environment.
• Pragmatic, hands-on leader who drives implementation and execution of strategic initiatives and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives
• Broad experience in areas of management reporting, accounting and risk management 
• A team player, with track record of working in highly complex structures, and open to feedback
• A strong interest in climate and the environment. 
• Fluent in written and spoken English. Dutch language is a plus.

What we offer

• The unique opportunity to work as part of a highly dynamic, international group of individuals who combine their passion to make a difference with a rigorous and results-oriented approach to work;
• A flexible work environment and a space to develop and challenge yourself; 
• A permanent full-time position.
•  Salary range: Euro K 131 – Euro K 160, this includes 8% holiday premium.
•  Benefits:
• Mobile Phone + Subscription
• Work from home allowance €50 euros/month
• 50% contribution to public transportation costs
• Biking kms contribution (€0,20/km)
• 5 Extra Legal days (pro rated for part time) on top of 20 Legal holidays
• Pension plan (10% employer contribution – voluntary employee contribution within limits allowed by tax)
• Subscription to LinkedIn Learning
• Employee Assistance Programme

Location

The Hague (The Netherlands) - preferred, or Brussels (Belgium).

Start date

As soon as possible. 

How to apply

Please send your CV and a short cover letter, in English to the hiring team.

All applications will be treated confidentially. We will store your information in our internal database unless you specifically request otherwise.

Assessment will be a part of the recruitment procedure.

All applications will be treated confidentially. We will store your information in our internal database unless you specifically request otherwise.

Diversity statement

We are committed to diversity and inclusion in our organisation. We strongly encourage candidates from disadvantaged or marginalised backgrounds to apply.