Director of Finance

About us

The Earthshot Prize is the world's most impactful and prestigious environmental award. At the heart of our mission is a simple equation:
Urgency + Optimism = Action

Inspired by President John

F. Kennedy's moonshot challenge, The Earthshot Prize is designed to mobilise a decade of action for the planet. We identify, celebrate, and back ambitious climate leadership from every corner of the globe. From Indigenous communities to city leaders, entrepreneurs to governments, they are all working to solve our planet’s greatest challenges.

We focus on five key Earth shots:
Clean Our Air, Fix Our Climate, Revive Our Oceans, Build a Waste-Free World, and Protect and Restore Nature. Each year, we select a group of 15 Finalists and award 5 of them £1M each to help advance or replicate their work and recognise their achievement and potential.

The Earthshot Prize is about more than recognition, it’s the world’s most ambitious network connecting innovators, funders, businesses, and communities to back climate leaders and restore confidence in our ability to save the planet.

The Director of Finance is a senior leadership role responsible for the strategic and operational management of the organisation's financial function. Reporting directly to the CFOO, you will provide financial stewardship across the organisation, ensuring the integrity of all reporting, the strength of internal controls, and the quality of financial insight that supports the Board and Executive team in decision-making.

Beyond the core finance function, you will act as a key partner to the CFOO across organisational operations, providing financial oversight to operational functions and deputising as required. You will be central to the organisation's governance, preparing and presenting papers for Finance, and other committees, and ensuring that financial and operational matters are well represented at every level of the governance structure.

• Month-End Process:
  Oversee the complete month-end close, ensuring all reconciliations are completed accurately and on schedule
• Trial Balance Management:
  Review trial balances and ensure they are audit-ready, with all reconciling items documented and approved
• Balance Sheet Reconciliations:
  Sign off on all balance sheet account reconciliations, validating supporting documentation and investigating variances
• Management Accounts:
  Prepare detailed management accounts including income statement, balance sheet, and key financial metrics; provide variance analysis to budget and prior year
• Timely Delivery:
  Ensure month-end deliverables are completed on a timely basis to support Executive reporting and decision-making

• Committee Papers:
  Support the CFOO on the drafting and coordinating of high-quality papers for the Finance Committee and Board of Trustees; ensure materials are accurate, clearly written, and delivered ahead of meetings
• Board Reporting:
  Prepare financial and operational reports for board meetings, management team reviews, and key stakeholders; translate complex financial information into accessible insight for non-finance audiences
• Governance Compliance:
  Ensure the organisation meets its obligations to the Charity Commission and other regulatory bodies; maintain up-to-date awareness of relevant governance requirements
• CFOO Support:
  Provide briefing materials, analysis, and strategic input to support the CFOO in governance forums and external relationships

• CFOO Deputy:
  Deputise for the CFOO on finance and operational matters as required, representing the function at senior leadership forums and in external meetings
• Operational Oversight:
  Provide financial oversight and strategic…