Head of Finance

The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) is exclusively partnering with Robertson Bell, in our search for a Head of Finance to join our team on a permanent basis. GWEC’s mission is to ensure that wind power establishes itself as the answer to today’s energy challenges, providing substantial environmental and economic benefits.

The Head of Finance is a new role which supports the growth of the global finance team in line with the rapid organisational growth and spread internationally. The Head of Finance role shall provide financial leadership, alongside the CFO, through proactive engagement with each business unit vertical, robust support, monitoring and challenge of financial decision-making in context of plans and strategic directives informing key decisions across the Global Organisation.

The organisation:

We are a high-profile non-profit organisation and trade association leading the international clean energy transition as the world seeks to stay within 1.5c global warming target. We have innovative programmes and collaborations promoting sustainable offshore and onshore wind development, mentoring women working in wind industry, education and energy access. 

GWEC are a Belgium registered association with subsidiary companies and offices in the UK, India, China, Portugal, Singapore, UAE and Vietnam and a global staff of around 75. We have grown our revenue five times in as many years and have bold growth plans over the next decade as we seek the urgent scale up of wind and clean energy in new and existing markets. We have over 20 live grants of up to $4m in value to support our work, particularly in the regional focus markets such as Southeast Asia.

The key duties of this Head of Finance are as follows:

• Prepare annual global organisation budgets by entity, business unit and project.
• Prepare multi-year forecasts and financial plans built on known and likely projects, activities, expected growth and blue-sky scenarios.
• Prepare regular financial performance reports for the Executive Committee and Board.
• Have critical oversight of the global results consolidation.
• Lead the Global Finance team with 3 direct reports and outsourced local relationships for each office jurisdiction.
• Prepare quarterly global and entity forecasts and supervise cashflow.
• Hold oversight of global fiscal and tax compliance.
• Plan, forecast and monitor recovery of funds from grant funded projects.
• Promote the visibility of financial data and outputs to stakeholders through continuous improvement and integration of finance and related systems and processes.
• Deputise for the CFO on Financial matters at Senior Management Team and Executive Committee meetings as required.

The successful candidate will have:

• Qualified as an Accountant: ACA, CIMA, ACCA or equivalent.
• Non-profit experience, particularly with grants and project financial reporting.
• International experience – ideally at HQ group level (non-profit or commercial) demonstrating an understanding of cultural and logistical challenges.
• Excellent FP&A experience, including modelling, budgeting and forecasting.
• Experience of managing a finance team.
• Experience providing a proactive partnering role to business operations, especially in ensuring achievement of budgets
• The willingness to travel internationally to other GWEC offices on an infrequent basis.

Candidates must live within a commutable distance from our offices in Southwick, Brighton, although opportunities to work from home will be on offer for 3-4 days per week.

The deadline for applications is on Sunday 6th October but applications will be under continuous review in advance of this date, so submit your CV today to make sure you don’t miss out!