About Greenpeace UK
Greenpeace is a movement of people who are passionate about defending the natural world from destruction.
Our vision is a greener, healthier and more peaceful planet, one that can sustain life for generations to come. We’re independent. We don’t accept any funding from governments, corporations or political parties – our work is funded by ordinary people. That means we’re free to confront governments and corporations responsible for the destruction of the natural world and push for real change.
We do this by investigating, documenting and exposing the causes of environmental destruction. We work to bring about change by lobbying, consumer pressure and mobilising members of the general public. And we take peaceful direct action to protect our Earth and promote solutions for a green and peaceful future.
Greenpeace was founded in 1971 by a small group of concerned individuals, who set sail to Amchitka Island off the coast of Alaska to try and stop a US nuclear weapons test. Their old fishing boat was called “The Greenpeace”. Today, Greenpeace is present in over 40 countries around the world. Our movement is growing every day and our commitment to realising our vision is as strong as ever.
We find ourselves at a pivotal point in human history. Climate change and biodiversity loss are both rapidly accelerating, and we’re seeing and feeling the effects of it ever more – in the changes to our air, sea levels and more extreme weather events, and in the daily warnings of ecological collapse. The need to act to protect our planet has never been so urgent, yet governments and corporations are still dragging their feet. Our mission is to promote radical changes and new solutions to the ways we live on this planet so that we can all call it home for generations to come.
Read the Greenpeace UK Strategic Plan here.
Job Summary
This is a pivotal leadership role at the heart of the organisation, offering the opportunity to shape long-term financial strategy in service of bold, global impact. As Finance Director, you will provide clear financial leadership and strategic direction, ensuring the organisation’s financial strength, robust governance, and legal integrity in a complex and fast-moving environment. You will also assume oversight for other functions, including legal, governance and technology systems, representing their needs at a senior level and ensuring we have the right expertise in place to develop our next three-year strategy for the 2028-30 period.
As a key member of the Senior Management Team, you will work collectively to steer the organisation, bringing a financial lens that enables, rather than constrains, ambition. You will build strong partnerships across teams and with global stakeholders, ensuring the finance function is seen as a trusted collaborator.
This role goes beyond traditional finance leadership. You will lead on complex organisational priorities, including structural and systems change, while holding a sophisticated and dynamic risk brief suited to an organisation like Greenpeace. You will balance disciplined financial planning with the flexibility needed to respond to emerging opportunities and challenges.
Joining an ambitious and values-driven team, you will play a critical role in enabling the organisation to deliver its mission.
Responsibilities
1. Strategic Financial Leadership
- Provide high-level financial counsel to the Co-Executive Directors, the SMT and the Boards of Greenpeace Ltd and Greenpeace Environment Trust.
- Lead the organisational annual budgeting processes for Greenpeace Ltd and Greenpeace Environment Trust and long-term financial forecasting to ensure mission sustainability, collaborating with fundraising and SMT colleagues to support their budgeting and forecasting processes.
- Develop and implement financial strategies that enable the three-year strategic plan, and the longer term fundraising vision.
- Maintain oversight of the organisation’s financial health, ensuring transparency and regulatory compliance.
2. Governance, Legal & Risk
- Legal Oversight: Act as the primary internal lead for legal counsel, providing line management and ensuring legal counsel have the resources needed to deliver their responsibilities.
- Governance: Oversee and maintain governance structures, ensuring they are transparent, effective, and meet the needs of SMT, the Board, the global organisation and regulatory bodies.
- Risk Management: Maintain oversight of, and continue to develop, comprehensive risk management systems that enable operations and strategic goals.
3. Functional & Technical Oversight
- Provide inspiring leadership to the Finance, Legal and Technology teams, fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence.
- Provide line management and strategic support to the Head of Technology.
- Lead financial and systems innovations that improve organisational efficiency, including oversight of the measurement framework (OKRs) for the three-year strategic plan.
4. Organisational & Global Leadership
- Be an active participant in the Senior Management Team, taking collective responsibility for decisions made at this level.
- Contribute expertise at SMT and within the global organisation.
- Lead on complex cross-organisational projects and changes – including but not limited to structural and systems changes.
- Role-model organisational values and invest in cross-departmental relationships.
- Liaise with international counterparts to influence (and implement) global financial and organisational change initiatives.
Candidate Profile
Experience & Knowledge
- Proven experience in strategic financial leadership at a senior level, including financial modelling, scenario planning and strategic planning.
- Deep understanding of non-profit and/or charity financial management, compliance, and governance.
- Experience managing complex organisational risks and legal frameworks.
- Successful track record in leading and motivating staff, including senior direct reports through periods of change.
- Track record of Board-level engagement, including reporting to Boards and working with Audit and Risk Committees.
- Data and analytical fluency, including experience with performance measurement frameworks such as OKRs.
Skills & Attributes
- Strong financial modelling, scenario planning and long-range forecasting capability.
- Ability to put forward challenging ideas to contribute to the overall direction of the organisation, taking pleasure in creative problem solving.
- A collaborative working style, with strong diplomatic and communication skills.
- Resilience and the ability to work effectively under pressure.
- A personal commitment to Greenpeace UK’s mission, values and Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism ambitions and ability to bring them to life in day-to-day work.
Desirable
- Experience with oversight of Technology and IT systems.
- Experience of organisational restructure, merger or significant change programmes.
- ICAEW/ACCA/CIMA accreditation.
- Experience operating within international, federated or matrix-managed organisations.
Job Features
| Job Category | Environment, Zoe |
| Location | London office (minimum 3 days per week in Islington office) |
| Salary | £85,000 |
| Contract Type | Permanent, full time (37.5 hours) |
| Closing Date | 13th June 2026 |
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Job Features
| Job Category | Environment, Zoe |
| Location | London office (minimum 3 days per week in Islington office) |
| Salary | £85,000 |
| Contract Type | Permanent, full time (37.5 hours) |
| Closing Date | 13th June 2026 |
