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ClientEarth • Brussels, London

Chief Finance and Operations Officer (0855)

Employment type:  Full time
Salary:  £118,750 per annum (London) / €8.997,18 pm (Brussels)

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top 3 scores:
93%

Mission

84%

Location flexibility

83%

Hours flexibility

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Job Description

ClientEarth is partnering with Altum Consulting in its search for a new Chief Finance and Operations Officer (CFOO). ClientEarth is an innovative legal and environmental charity that uses the power of the law to fight against climate change and protect nature and the environment.

Over the last few years, ClientEarth has experienced a period of growth, strategy refresh and organisational development. There is a strong finance team in place and the previous Chief Finance Officer position has now been expanded to include wider operations.

Reporting directly to the CEO, Laura Clarke,, this critical role is responsible for leading ClientEarth’s international finance and operations teams, including Facilities, Procurement, IT, and Security – a global team, currently encompassing 55 colleagues. The role will work closely with the Board of Trustees, key funders, and the Director of Development, making significant contributions to organisational and programmatic strategy.

This role will offer a salary starting from £118,750 pa (London) / €125.240,69 pa gross / €8.997,18 pm gross (Brussels) (ClientEarth Executive Team band) plus benefits, including flexible working (a hybrid model combining home and office working), and a pension contribution with additional option of salary sacrifice.

Key duties will include:

  • Strategic leadership of all financial and operational matters, ensuring the team’s objectives are aligned with organisational goals.
  • Supporting the CEO in shaping the organisational business model and scaling global impact.
  • Providing strategic financial planning to ensure resources meet desired impacts, including developing KPIs to monitor global financial strategy.
  • Oversight of operational budgeting, forecasting, and performance monitoring.
  • Ensuring financial compliance with UK Charity Commission regulations and across all international legal entities.
  • Management of grant funding, including budgeting, tracking, reporting, and compliance with donor requirements.
  • Leading the development and integration of financial and operational systems, streamlining processes, and driving efficiency.
  • Overseeing investment management, treasury, and currency strategies to ensure financial resilience.
  • Managing organisational risks and ensuring legal and regulatory compliance across all locations.
  • Leading, empowering, and motivating the Finance and Operations teams, driving a collaborative and business-partnering approach.

The ideal candidate will:

  • Be a qualified accountant (e.g., ACA/FCA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with substantial senior leadership experience, ideally in an INGO or multinational organisation.
  • Have expertise in finance, planning, and budgetary control in a complex, geographically diverse organisation.
  • Possess strategic experience overseeing operations, including IT, facilities management, procurement, security, and risk management.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of charity accounting regulations and managing financial controls and compliance.
  • Have a proven track record of managing grant funding, sub-granting, and external partner relationships.
  • Be experienced in change management, developing systems, processes, and culture for a global organisation.
  • Exhibit excellent influencing, communication, and leadership skills, with the ability to inspire and collaborate across diverse teams and stakeholders.
  • Align strongly with ClientEarth’s mission to create systemic change for a healthier planet.
  • Have a strong alignment with ClientEarth’s values and commitment to our equity, diversity and inclusion strategy objectives

To apply for this position or if you have any questions, please get in touch with Altum today. Clicking "apply" on this page will direct you to Altum's website where you can find further contact information.

Altum Consulting will be conducting first-stage interviews up until Friday, February 28th.

This position can be based in either the London or Brussels office (expectation of visible leadership in the office, 2-3 days per week).

One legal victory can change the system. Enough of them can change the future. At ClientEarth, we use the law to protect life on Earth. Learn more here.

Both Altum Group and ClientEarth value diversity and inclusion and the benefits these bring. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, particularly from under-represented groups.

Please note: ClientEarth is only able to employ those with the pre-existing legal right to work in the UK or Belgium.

ClientEarth is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or services to third parties

Company benefits

20-26 days annual leave + bank holidays
Work from anywhere scheme – see website for more details
Company shutdown periods – winter shutdown
Open to part-time employees
Open to job sharing
Open to compressed hours
Sabbaticals
Teambuilding days
Compassionate leave
Cycle to work scheme
Buy or sell annual leave – up to 5 additional days
Enhanced maternity leave
Enhanced paternity leave
In office massages
In office yoga classes
Faith rooms
Salary sacrifice
Annual pay rises
L&D budget
Work from home budget
Enhanced pension match/contribution
Dog friendly office

We asked employees of ClientEarth what it's like to work there, and this is what they told us.

Location flexibility
84%
Employees are very happy with their working location freedom
Hours flexibility
83%
Employees are very happy with the flexibility in the hours they work
Benefits
70%
Employees are largely happy with the benefits their company offers
Work-life balance
72%
Employees feel that they can switch off quite easily from work
Role modelling
81%
Employees feel that flexible working is part of the culture
Autonomy
80%
Employees feel that they can mostly manage how they get their own work done

Additional employee ratings
(these do not contribute to the FlexScore®)

Diversity
55%
Employees feel like the diversity is ok and there are some efforts to improve
Inclusion
63%
Employees feel that the culture supports equity and inclusivity well
Culture
72%
Employees enjoy the working environment
Mission
93%
Employees feel very excited about and aligned with the company mission
Salary
68%
Employees feel that their salary is good and matches the value they bring

Working at ClientEarth

Company employees

300

Gender diversity (male:female)

30:70

Currently Hiring Countries

Belgium

Germany

Japan

United Kingdom

Office Locations

Awards & Achievements

Charity & Tech For Good

Charity & Tech For Good

Industry awards 2023