Director Finance

The European Climate Foundation (ECF) is a major philanthropic initiative working to help tackle the climate crisis by fostering the development of a net-zero emission society at the national, European and global level.
We support over 1000 partner organizations 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
The Head of the Finance and Grants Team contributes to the evolution of financial grant practices and systems. The role supports planning of all financial elements of grant management, ensuring integrity, compliance, and strategic alignment between donor requirements and ECF’s regranting operations. The Head of Finance and Grants Team is guiding the unit's transformation toward best-in-class practices, systems, and controls, supporting broader financial and organizational objectives.
End-to-End Grant Financial Governance:
Oversee the full financial lifecycle of regranting activities – from budget design to reporting and audit – ensuring that all grants meet both internal standards and external funder obligations.
Supervise budget proposals and coordinate financial inputs into the granting system.
Liaise with Business Control and Accounting teams for accurate income allocation.
Provides guidance on donor financial compliance, interpreting and operationalising complex funder requirements into internal processes and systems.
Provide input into funder negotiations and agreements to ensure compliance feasibility and financial sustainability.
Ensure assurance processes per funding agreement (audits, reviews, reconciliations) ensure compliance.
Financial Reporting and Audit:
Leads and oversees all financial reporting to funders, ensuring timely, accurate, and donor-compliant outputs.
Docket process), and that reporting outcomes inform decision-making at senior levels.
Oversee the funder audits from finance perspective and ensure audit compliance for all grant-related financial activity—proactively monitors the maintenance of audit-readiness through integrated controls and documentation and serve as the key liaison with funder appointed auditors.
Partner with Strategic Partnerships, Programmes, Grant Hub, Accounting and Business Control Teams to co-develop financial strategies, funder reporting frameworks, and compliance structures.
Contributes to a culture of financial literacy and compliance throughout grant-funded functions.
Identify financial risks in the grant management cycle (e.g., Develop and enforce internal policies for financial grant governance (e.g. funding allocation, carry-over of unused funds) in line with regulatory, donor, and audit requirements.
Contribute to the finance leadership team’s long-term planning and strategy.
Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field (Master’s preferred).
Minimum 7 years of experience in financial grant management or a similar function, with increasing responsibility.
Solid understanding of donor compliance, fund allocation processes, and financial reporting requirements.
Strong coordination and collaboration skills across multi-disciplinary teams.
Experience working with grant management systems (e.g., Fluxx) and financial software (e.g., Good communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to explain financial concepts to non-finance stakeholders.
Fluency in English.
The unique opportunity to work in a highly dynamic, international team of individuals who combine their passion to make a difference with a rigorous and results-oriented approach to work.
Great values and accessible, collaborative management
Fixed-term contract of one year, with the intention to convert to an open-ended contract thereafter.