Chief Financial Officer – Natural Hydrogen Company (WS/3608)
Location: UK – Remote/office Working
Job Status: Permanent
Start Date: April 2025 - Flexible
Open To: UK National or UK Work Permit Holder
Job Overview: A natural hydrogen exploration and production Company seeks a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to take responsibility for their financial operations, joint venture partnerships, commercial relationships and risk management operations. Applicants invited with a financial qualification and a minimum of 10 years’ financial and commercial experience, with at least 5 years in a senior management position. In this exciting role, you will join the executive management team and contribute across a broad area of strategic, tactical and operational management decisions. You will be rewarded with equity and an attractive package and you can work from home initially, although as the company grows this may change to a partly or full-time office based role (Central London). This is an ideal role for someone doing this role or looking for their next career move!
The Company, which has been established for a few years, comprises leading oil and gas industry professionals with decades of experience, committed finances and an industry led board of executives.
Their focus is to commercialise natural hydrogen exploration & production, utilising science-led play-based models from the oil & gas and mining industries and with their experience they are well placed to achieve their mission. With existing hydrogen projects in operation in Africa and the USA, the Company is currently completing its Series A funding round, which will allow it to enter the next phase of expansion and delivery of its existing portfolio.
With a very clear staged approach to growth, they aim to build upon their existing success, by expanding their portfolio of natural hydrogen assets as well as carrying out exploration work programmes on the existing assets. This will be achieved by evaluating the most promising regions for natural hydrogen exploration based on geological, commercial, and policy considerations. Company already operates its projects either as 100% owner or on behalf of a joint venture partnership, and managing the financial and commercial aspects of these joint ventures will be a key part of this role.
All financial activities are currently being conducted by a 3rd party in association with the CEO. The growth plan allows for you to build your financial team (e.g. Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable) either internally or outsourced or a combination of both.
You will be expected to travel to meet partners, attend meetings, review financial terms and regulatory requirements of the Companies natural hydrogen assets which are currently based in Africa and the USA
Responsibilities: Reporting to the CEO the essential responsibilities and duties are:
• Take responsibility for the overall financial stewardship of the business and manage any additional financial support personnel required.
• Work alongside the CEO to develop detailed financial forecasts and develop capital funding strategies.
• Drive the development of short and long-term strategic financial objectives ensuring that the Company is on course to deliver their mission.
• Take the lead on future fundraising rounds, develop existing and new funding partnerships and maintain regular engagement with the appropriate capital markets in line with the agreed fundraising strategy.
• Become the chief financial spokesperson for the Company – with joint venture partners, potential partners, government licensing bodies, funding organisations and the Board.
• Build good working relationships with team members – Board, Geoscientists, Partners, markets etc.
• Assisting the CEO to assess and drive the development of new business opportunities e.g. reviewing the commercial terms of global licensing authorities (main focus USA and Africa at present) for potential natural hydrogen business, drafting of prospective budgets and commercial/financial risks involved.
• Prepare and present for Board approval; budgets, forecasts, business plans, feasibility of prospective new business, investment reviews and recommendations, and all other financial and commercial documents as may be required.
• In a timely manner, regulate, supervise and implement a full and accurate set of accounting books of the Company, reflecting its activities in keeping with the relevant legislation and regulation of the countries where operations exist.
• Set up and manage financial audit and control systems to monitor the performance and all financial activities of the Company – e.g. movement of funds, banking, expenditures and income and budget variances
• Oversee the management and coordination of all fiscal reporting activities for the organization including: organizational revenue/expense and balance sheet reports, reports to funding agencies, development and monitoring of organizational and contract/grant budgets.
• Carry out regulatory reporting and liaise with the Company’s auditors, financial advisers and lawyers, as required.
• Take responsibility for safeguarding the financial assets of the organization from cash flow availability to ensuring long term funding resource.
Preferences: The successful candidate will have:
• A recognised professional accounting qualification essential – e.g., CIMA, ACCA or/and AAT…
• Minimum 10 years’ financial and commercial experience with at least 5 years in a senior level financial position essential.
• Experience of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) desired.
• A broad understanding of all aspects of financial functions and controls essential (e.g. regulatory reporting, taxation, credit control, treasury functions, budgets, financial trends, forecasting, board reporting etc.).
• Highly commercial essential – ability to develop commercial strategies; ability to assess a proposal and determine costs and risks; work the capital markets; foster partner relations…
• Previous experience working in the oil and gas or low carbon Energy industries highly desired. Hydrogen industry experience of key interest, especially those with commercial user experience – e.g. commercial offtake agreements.
• A proven leader with a track record of managing people/financial services to accomplish Company objectives essential.
• A proven track record of working with the funding organisations/markets essential.
• Previous experience working for a start-up advantageous.
• Proven experience of operating in a fast-paced, change environment desired.
• Ability to build and sustain relationships at all levels of the business, gaining engagement and commitment to ideas and proposals.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work across various levels essential.
• Confident, enthusiastic and persuasive with the drive and influence to successfully drive the strategic direction and goals.
• Innovative with the energy, ambition and enthusiasm to grow and lead in an expanding and evolving company.
• Strong analytical and presentation skills essential – confident to convey subject matter in a coherent manner to senior stakeholders, Board, investment partners
• Fluency in English, written and spoken, essential.
• Willingness and ability to travel globally.
Package: An attractive Base Salary plus Equity is on offer dependent on skills and experience.
To apply for this job: Please submit a Cover Note in support of your application - it should outline a) why you feel you may be particularly suited to this position (i.e. relevant skills/experience and education) b) your availability and c) your salary expectations.