Finance & Operations Officer Role

Full Time

Energy Garden is recruiting a full-time Finance and Operations Officer to join our dedicated team. We are seeking a Finance Officer who combines strong accounting capability with analytical thinking and a genuine interest in mission-driven organisations. This is an exciting opportunity to work with local communities who are taking action on climate change and on improving biodiversity across London.  

  • Salary: £31,000 – £39,000 per annum

  • Location: London

  • Hours: Full Time (5 days / 40 hours per week) with Time Off in Lieu for additional time outside core office hours  

  • Contract: Permanent 

  • Deadline: Tuesday, 16th June 2026 (23:59); applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

  • Preferred Start Date: w/c 29th June, but open to discussing timing depending on candidate availability and notice periods.

  • How to apply: Email CV and cover letter to agamemnon@energygarden.org.uk.

  • Interview process: We will hold two stages of interviews

Apply Now

Download the Job Description

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About This Role

This role will support the day-to-day financial operations of Energy Garden while also contributing to the development of financial systems, reporting and project modelling across the organisation. 

The successful candidate will help manage operational finance processes including: 

  • bookkeeping and receipt entry into Quickbooks 

  • cash flow tracking and reporting  

  • support coordination of VAT reporting and financial compliance processes alongside external accountants 

  • Programme budget tracking 

  • financial data management  

  • support the integration of financial, operational and solar performance data into reporting systems including Excel-based and Power BI dashboards 

  • Cashflow forecasting and financial projections  

  • Support creation of year end accounts and Annual Report to Members 

The role will also support the organisation’s evolving community-owned solar investment model and blended funding programmes, which combine grants, service contracts, corporate partnerships and community investment. 

You will work closely with the CEO, programme teams and board-level financial oversight support to strengthen systems and improve organisational financial visibility. 

This role reports directly to the CEO and does not currently include line management responsibilities. 

Energy Garden currently works with external chartered accountants for year-end accounts, compliance and specialist financial support, with this role focused on strengthening day-to-day operational finance systems and reporting.

Key Responsibilities

    • Process and enter receipts, invoices and financial records accurately in QuickBooks and Avensure 

    • Support bookkeeping and reconciliation processes  

    • Maintain up-to-date cash flow tracking and forecasting  

    • Support coordination of VAT returns and financial compliance reporting alongside external accountants 

    • Support payroll and supplier payment administration where required  

    • Support the maintenance and development of financial reporting systems  

    • Assist with Excel-based and Power BI data input and reporting processes 

    • Help integrate programme, financial and solar generation data into reporting systems  

    • Support organisational dashboard development for finance and impact reporting  

    • Support the production and creation of annual reports and accounts 

    • Work with programme and fundraising teams to track project budgets and funding allocations  

    • Support grant reporting and financial compliance requirements across programmes  

    • Help ensure financial information is aligned across operational and fundraising activities  

    • Liaise with our external accountants (GPFM) 

    • Maintain accurate financial records & support day-to-day financial management of the organisation 

    • Manage bookkeeping and financial data using accounting software (QuickBooks) 

    • Support preparation of monthly management accounts and financial reports 

    • Assist with year-end accounts and liaise with external accountants and auditors 

    • Monitor programme budgets and track restricted and unrestricted funds 

    • Support the development of financial models for projects and programmes 

    • Run financial sensitivities and scenario analysis for new initiatives 

    • Assist with modelling income streams including grants, service contracts and community energy revenues 

    • Contribute to financial forecasting and organisational planning 

    • Track income and expenditure across multiple projects and funding streams 

    • Support budget management for grant-funded and contract-funded programmes 

    • Help ensure financial compliance with funder requirements 

    • Assist in developing financial strategies that support Energy Garden’s community model 

    • Contribute to improving financial systems and processes 

    • Provide financial insight to support organisational decision making

About You

Skills & Experience

Essential

  • Experience in accounting, finance or bookkeeping roles 

  • Strong understanding of financial reporting and accounting principles 

  • Ability to work with financial models and spreadsheets (advanced Excel skills preferred) 

  • Experience with accounting software QuickBooks  

  • Experience working with or supporting not-for-profit organisations, charities, or social enterprises 

  • Strong attention to detail and organisational skills 

  • Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines 

Highly desirable 

  • Experience using Power BI or similar reporting/dashboard tools 

  • Experience supporting VAT reporting and financial compliance processes 

  • Experience working with infrastructure, energy or asset-based projects  

  • Experience working with blended funding models involving grants, contracts and investment  

Desirable 

  • Familiarity with accounting software such as Xero and Sage 

  • Experience with community energy, sustainability or environmental organisations 

  • Experience with grant reporting and restricted funding management 

  • Experience building financial models or running scenario analysis 

  • Knowledge of community benefit societies or cooperative structures 

Personal Qualities

  • Interest in climate solutions, community development and social impact 

  • Analytical mindset combined with practical problem solving 

  • Collaborative and able to work with programme and engagement teams 

  • Comfortable working in a growing organisation with evolving systems 

  • Motivated by mission as well as financial discipline

Salary & Working Structure

Salary: £31,000 – £39,000 

  • Energy Garden operates a flat organisational structure, with most roles structured at Officer level. 

  • Within this band, salary progression reflects experience, responsibility and contribution to programme development. 

  • Hybrid working arrangements are available, with regular collaboration with the London team. 

What Success Looks Like in the First 12 Months

Within the first year, the successful candidate will have: 

  • Improved cash flow visibility and financial reporting across the organisation  

  • Strengthened receipt processing, bookkeeping and financial data systems  

  • Supported VAT reporting and financial compliance processes  

  • Helped improve integration between programme, fundraising and financial reporting  

  • Supported the production of reliable management accounts and forecasting  

  • Contributed to the development of clearer Power BI reporting and organisational dashboards  

  • Supported financial tracking connected to Energy Garden’s growing solar and infrastructure portfolio  

  • Helped strengthen the financial systems needed to support Energy Garden’s next phase of growth  

Who This Role Is Perfect For

This role is particularly well suited to someone who: 

  • enjoys working at the intersection of finance and mission-driven work  

  • likes combining operational finance with strategic thinking  

  • enjoys building systems within a growing organisation  

  • is interested in sustainability, climate action or community development  

  • is comfortable working across finance, programmes and infrastructure projects  

  • enjoys improving organisational clarity, reporting and financial visibility  

You may come from a background in: 

  • charity or social enterprise finance  

  • sustainability or environmental organisations  

  • infrastructure or community energy organisations  

  • accounting roles with a strong analytical and operational component 

Who This Role May Not Suit

This role may not be the best fit if you prefer: 

  • working within large finance teams with highly defined roles 

  • focusing purely on bookkeeping without strategic engagement 

  • highly rigid organisational structures 

Energy Garden is a small and evolving organisation, and this role suits someone comfortable working across operational and strategic finance. 

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Why Join Energy Garden Now

Energy Garden is entering an important new phase. 

Over the past 12 years we have built a network of community gardens, delivered climate education programmes and installed community-owned solar across London. 

We are now moving from individual projects to scalable programmes, working with councils, communities and corporate partners to build long-term climate infrastructure across the city. 

A key part of this transition is developing a sustainable finance model, where service contracts grant and community-owned renewable energy helps scale our social and environmental programmes. 

This role offers the opportunity to help build the financial foundations that will support that next stage of growth. 

About Energy Garden

Energy Garden is a community benefit society that brings together People, Place, Power and Impact to build a more resilient city. Through community gardens, urban greening, education programmes and community-owned renewable energy infrastructure, we work with local communities, local authorities and corporate partners to create visible climate solutions across London. 

Our approach is summarised through our learning journey: 

Seed → Solar → Society 

We introduce people of all ages to nature and growing, connect communities to climate solutions, and develop community-owned renewable energy systems that generate long-term benefit for communities. 

Energy Garden operates at the intersection of: 

  • grant funding 

  • corporate partnerships 

  • service contracts 

  • community investment through solar share offers 

As the organisation grows, we are strengthening our internal finance capacity to support this blended funding model and the development of community-owned energy assets. 

Apply Now!

Disclaimer

You must have the right to live and work in the UK. Non-EU nationals who require a work permit to take up employment will not be considered. Energy Garden is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity. 

We regret that we will only be able to reply, and give feedback, to short-listed applicants.