Head of Finance

About the role

A global natural resources investment firm with $4B+ AUM is building a platform finance function for its critical minerals portfolio and is hiring a Head of Finance to serve as Deputy CFO.

This is the hands-on technical lead across the portfolio and the CFO's second-in-command, best described as a "super controller." You will own the numbers, the budget, and the control environment across several separate operating companies, so the CFO can focus on strategy, the assets, and the investment side.

The end goal is one control environment, one calendar, and one standard across every asset, so the platform's plan, forecast, and books are a single set of numbers.

Operating structure

The platform currently spans four operating companies across two critical minerals lines of business. In the first, an overseas mine and a related company operate together as one vertically integrated unit. In the second, there is an overseas mining business and a US-based processing facility.

These companies are expected to remain largely separate entities, with the occasional merger possible, so multi-entity and subsidiary experience matters. The scope also covers any asset the firm acquires or brings onto the platform in future.

The firm does not place senior finance leaders at the asset level. As asset CFO roles transition to controllers, this role fills the gap between the former asset-level CFO and the controllers who remain.

Asset finance leaders will report to the Head of Finance functionally on standards, methodology, and performance, while day-to-day delivery stays with each asset's CEO. A platform finance team will be built under this role as the portfolio grows.

Key responsibilities

Control and reporting

• Lead close and consolidation across all assets to a single standard and calendar.
• Own statutory accounts, tax, and entity compliance in every jurisdiction.
• Build and maintain a single chart of accounts and consolidation architecture.
• Manage treasury and covenant compliance.
• Oversee reporting on government funding awards.
• Keep the books audit-ready at all times and built to a public-market timetable.

Planning and performance

• Lead the financial side of Integrated Business Planning, including three-year and life-of-mine plans.
• Run a zero-based budget and monthly rolling forecasts.
• Reconcile physical output to the financials every month.
• Apply consistent forecasting standards across every asset, with low, expected, and high case outcomes, and put a dollar figure on every material risk.

Platform interface

• Set finance standards for the assets.
• Connect asset-level planning with corporate planning.
• Feed operating data back to the Investment Team.
• Produce reporting packs that Investor Relations and the asset boards can use as is.

Priorities over the next few years

The main job is standing up the platform finance function from scratch. That means establishing one set of books, one chart of accounts, and one consolidation process across all portfolio companies, and building the platform finance team.

It also means bringing reporting up to government funding standards before the first drawdown and keeping the business ready for a possible public-market timetable.

Career path

This is a platform role with the firm, not an asset role. When an asset is sold, the asset-level team typically goes with it, while the Head of Finance stays with the firm and helps get those transactions done.

Over time, the role could lead to the top finance seat at an asset if the firm sells it, or to other finance leadership roles across the firm's wider portfolio.

What we're looking for

• 10+ years of experience in accounting and corporate finance.
• Big Four background with a move into industry preferred.
• Hands-on experience with the general ledger, close, and board reporting, and the ability to hit the ground running.
• Multi-entity and subsidiary experience at a comparable scale.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance preferred.
• CPA preferred but not required.
• Industry is open. A capital-intensive background is preferred, and mining or natural resources experience is a strong plus.
• IPO experience is a plus.

This role is well suited to a VP Finance or Controller ready to step into their first CFO-level role.