Head of Finance (Houston)
Net Zero Search, Houston, TX, United States
Senior Financial Controller – Energy Transition Infrastructure
Location:
Houston, TX, USA (Office-Based)
Snr FC / Head of Finance, North America for a Leading Energy Infrastructure Investment Manager
A specialist investment manager focused on energy transition infrastructure, spanning renewable energy supply, storage, grid stability, data centres, and industrial decarbonisation – is looking for a Senior Financial Controller to lead its finance function across North America.
This is effectively the Head of Finance role for the US and Canada. You will own the financial operations across two offices (Houston and New York), manage a team of two, and report directly into the Finance Director in the UK. The firm is in a period of significant growth – this year is projected to be its most active ever in terms of investment and capital deployment – and this role sits close to the deal activity, not in a back-office silo.
The split is approximately 60% fund accounting and portfolio company accounting, and 40% corporate accounting. You will work with third-party administrators, manage multiple investor relationships, and handle due diligence for incoming investors as the platform continues to scale.
Important:
This role requires direct fund accounting experience within an infrastructure fund or energy infrastructure fund. Candidates from project finance, corporate controllership, or general industry backgrounds without hands-on fund accounting experience will not be considered. You must be currently working in a fund environment or have very recently left one.
The Opportunity – What You Will Be Doing
As the most senior finance hire in North America, you will be the go-to person for all finance-related matters across the US and Canadian operations. Specifically, you will:
Lead Fund Accounting –
Oversee fund accounting and portfolio company accounting across the North American platform, representing approximately 60% of the role.
Own Corporate Accounting –
Manage all corporate accounting activities including accounts payable, accounts receivable, and general ledger for the US entity (approximately 40% of the role).
Manage Investor Relationships –
Work directly with multiple investors, handle due diligence for incoming investors, and coordinate with third-party fund administrators as the funds scale.
Deliver Management Reporting –
Prepare financial reports, budgets, forecasts, and variance analyses for senior management and investors.
Build Controls & Compliance –
Develop and implement financial policies, procedures, and internal controls. Coordinate external audits and tax filings across the US operations.
Lead a Team –
Manage two direct reports in Houston – a Finance Manager and a Management Accountant – providing direction, development, and day-to-day oversight.
Navigate a Matrix Structure –
Report into the Finance Director in the UK, with dotted-line reporting into the investment team and potentially into the Australian operations. You need to be comfortable managing competing priorities across multiple stakeholders and time zones.
Provide Strategic Insight –
Analyse financial data and trends to inform business decisions. This is a role where your judgment matters and you are expected to contribute commercially, not just report the numbers.
Key Responsibilities
Fund Accounting & Portfolio Company Accounting (c.60%)
Oversee all fund accounting activities across North American funds.
Manage portfolio company accounting and reporting.
Coordinate with third-party fund administrators.
Lead due diligence processes for incoming investors.
Manage multiple investor relationships and reporting requirements.
Corporate Accounting & Reporting (c.40%)
Manage all financial accounting activities for the US entity including AP, AR, and general ledger.
Prepare and review financial reports, budgets, forecasts, and variance analyses.
Monitor cash flow, liquidity, and key financial performance indicators.
Ensure compliance with US GAAP, regulations, and internal policies.
Controls, Compliance & Audit
Develop and implement financial policies, procedures, and internal controls.
Coordinate and oversee external audits and tax filings.
Ensure financial stability and regulatory compliance across North American operations.
Stakeholder Management & Leadership
Act as the primary finance contact for both the New York and Houston offices.
Manage relationships with external stakeholders including auditors, regulators, and financial institutions.
Supervise two direct reports in Houston, providing direction and professional development.
Manage reporting lines into the UK Finance Director, the investment team, and potentially Australia.
Stay current on industry developments, regulatory changes, and best practices.
Your Background – What We’re Looking For
Essential Requirements
The following are non-negotiable. Please do not apply unless you meet these criteria:
Fund Accounting Background –
You must come from a fund accounting background, ideally within an infrastructure fund or energy infrastructure fund. This is not a role for candidates from project environments or corporate controllerships without direct fund experience.
Currently in a Fund (or Very Recently Left) –
You must be currently working within a fund environment or have very recently departed one. This is a firm requirement.
Third-Party Administrator Experience –
Hands-on experience working with third-party fund administrators is essential.
Investor Due Diligence –
Direct experience managing due diligence processes for incoming investors.
Houston-Based –
You must be based in Houston or willing to relocate. This is a primarily office-based role with limited flexibility for remote working.
Highly Desirable
Infrastructure or Energy Infrastructure –
Direct experience within infrastructure, energy infrastructure, or real assets funds is strongly preferred.
Gravitas & Commercial Judgment –
You will be the most senior finance person in North America. You need the presence and credibility to be the go-to person across the business, comfortable managing up to the FD and CFO and down to your direct reports.
Hands-On Mentality –
This is not a purely strategic role. You need to be willing to roll your sleeves up and get into the detail when required.
Matrix Management Experience –
Comfort operating across multiple reporting lines, competing priorities, and different time zones (UK, US, potentially Australia).
Multi-Investor Fund Experience –
Experience managing reporting and relationships across multiple investors within a fund structure.
Qualifications –
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field. CPA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent certification preferred.
Location:
Houston, TX, USA (Office-Based)
Snr FC / Head of Finance, North America for a Leading Energy Infrastructure Investment Manager
A specialist investment manager focused on energy transition infrastructure, spanning renewable energy supply, storage, grid stability, data centres, and industrial decarbonisation – is looking for a Senior Financial Controller to lead its finance function across North America.
This is effectively the Head of Finance role for the US and Canada. You will own the financial operations across two offices (Houston and New York), manage a team of two, and report directly into the Finance Director in the UK. The firm is in a period of significant growth – this year is projected to be its most active ever in terms of investment and capital deployment – and this role sits close to the deal activity, not in a back-office silo.
The split is approximately 60% fund accounting and portfolio company accounting, and 40% corporate accounting. You will work with third-party administrators, manage multiple investor relationships, and handle due diligence for incoming investors as the platform continues to scale.
Important:
This role requires direct fund accounting experience within an infrastructure fund or energy infrastructure fund. Candidates from project finance, corporate controllership, or general industry backgrounds without hands-on fund accounting experience will not be considered. You must be currently working in a fund environment or have very recently left one.
The Opportunity – What You Will Be Doing
As the most senior finance hire in North America, you will be the go-to person for all finance-related matters across the US and Canadian operations. Specifically, you will:
Lead Fund Accounting –
Oversee fund accounting and portfolio company accounting across the North American platform, representing approximately 60% of the role.
Own Corporate Accounting –
Manage all corporate accounting activities including accounts payable, accounts receivable, and general ledger for the US entity (approximately 40% of the role).
Manage Investor Relationships –
Work directly with multiple investors, handle due diligence for incoming investors, and coordinate with third-party fund administrators as the funds scale.
Deliver Management Reporting –
Prepare financial reports, budgets, forecasts, and variance analyses for senior management and investors.
Build Controls & Compliance –
Develop and implement financial policies, procedures, and internal controls. Coordinate external audits and tax filings across the US operations.
Lead a Team –
Manage two direct reports in Houston – a Finance Manager and a Management Accountant – providing direction, development, and day-to-day oversight.
Navigate a Matrix Structure –
Report into the Finance Director in the UK, with dotted-line reporting into the investment team and potentially into the Australian operations. You need to be comfortable managing competing priorities across multiple stakeholders and time zones.
Provide Strategic Insight –
Analyse financial data and trends to inform business decisions. This is a role where your judgment matters and you are expected to contribute commercially, not just report the numbers.
Key Responsibilities
Fund Accounting & Portfolio Company Accounting (c.60%)
Oversee all fund accounting activities across North American funds.
Manage portfolio company accounting and reporting.
Coordinate with third-party fund administrators.
Lead due diligence processes for incoming investors.
Manage multiple investor relationships and reporting requirements.
Corporate Accounting & Reporting (c.40%)
Manage all financial accounting activities for the US entity including AP, AR, and general ledger.
Prepare and review financial reports, budgets, forecasts, and variance analyses.
Monitor cash flow, liquidity, and key financial performance indicators.
Ensure compliance with US GAAP, regulations, and internal policies.
Controls, Compliance & Audit
Develop and implement financial policies, procedures, and internal controls.
Coordinate and oversee external audits and tax filings.
Ensure financial stability and regulatory compliance across North American operations.
Stakeholder Management & Leadership
Act as the primary finance contact for both the New York and Houston offices.
Manage relationships with external stakeholders including auditors, regulators, and financial institutions.
Supervise two direct reports in Houston, providing direction and professional development.
Manage reporting lines into the UK Finance Director, the investment team, and potentially Australia.
Stay current on industry developments, regulatory changes, and best practices.
Your Background – What We’re Looking For
Essential Requirements
The following are non-negotiable. Please do not apply unless you meet these criteria:
Fund Accounting Background –
You must come from a fund accounting background, ideally within an infrastructure fund or energy infrastructure fund. This is not a role for candidates from project environments or corporate controllerships without direct fund experience.
Currently in a Fund (or Very Recently Left) –
You must be currently working within a fund environment or have very recently departed one. This is a firm requirement.
Third-Party Administrator Experience –
Hands-on experience working with third-party fund administrators is essential.
Investor Due Diligence –
Direct experience managing due diligence processes for incoming investors.
Houston-Based –
You must be based in Houston or willing to relocate. This is a primarily office-based role with limited flexibility for remote working.
Highly Desirable
Infrastructure or Energy Infrastructure –
Direct experience within infrastructure, energy infrastructure, or real assets funds is strongly preferred.
Gravitas & Commercial Judgment –
You will be the most senior finance person in North America. You need the presence and credibility to be the go-to person across the business, comfortable managing up to the FD and CFO and down to your direct reports.
Hands-On Mentality –
This is not a purely strategic role. You need to be willing to roll your sleeves up and get into the detail when required.
Matrix Management Experience –
Comfort operating across multiple reporting lines, competing priorities, and different time zones (UK, US, potentially Australia).
Multi-Investor Fund Experience –
Experience managing reporting and relationships across multiple investors within a fund structure.
Qualifications –
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field. CPA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent certification preferred.