Director Finance jobs in Germany

About ZELP

ZELP is an agricultural technology company committed to creating a sustainable future for agriculture—one that meets the needs of present and future generations, promoting human and environmental health, animal welfare, and social and economic equity.

Our first focus is to develop and scale technology that measures and mitigates methane emissions in the livestock industry. Today, 1.3 billion people rely on the industry for their livelihoods and food security. However, it is the single biggest human-driven source of methane emissions globally, emitting more than both the oil & gas industry and the coal industry.

The deployment of our technologies on a global scale has the potential to drive half the global methane reduction needed by 2030 and to greatly transform the beef and dairy industries.

ZELP was an inaugural winner of the Terra Carta Design Lab and has received funding and support from the European Commission, Innovate UK, The Global Methane Hub, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

About the role

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will be responsible for the overall financial strategy, operations, and health of the company. You will lead capital formation, manage long and complex cash cycles, and structure innovative financial mechanisms ranging from equity to carbon revenue securitisation. This role is ideal for someone with a deep understanding of start-up dynamics, fundraising, blended financing, and emerging carbon markets.

Key responsibilities

1. Lead the structuring and execution of fundraising rounds, including Series B and beyond.
2. Build and maintain relationships with investors, lenders, and strategic partners.
3. Develop and implement blended financing strategies, including project finance, debt instruments, and catalytic capital.
4. Structure and negotiate carbon financing deals, including forward sales, prepayments, and carbon revenue-backed instruments.
5. Align carbon monetisation strategies with financial forecasting and operational timelines.
6. Build and manage a robust financial infrastructure, including accounting, FP&A, budgeting, and treasury.
7. Develop models and tools to manage working capital, forecast liquidity needs, and track financial performance.
8. Serve as a key thought partner to the CEO and executive team in setting company strategy and priorities.
9. Oversee preparation of board materials, investor updates, and financial reporting.
10. Provide leadership on risk management, corporate governance, and financial controls.
11. Lead and mentor a small team.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive financial leadership experience, ideally with a few years as a CFO or Head of Finance in a start-up.
• Demonstrated experience structuring blended financing deals—equity, debt, and project finance.
• Direct experience with carbon credit markets, including structuring forward sales or pre-financing of environmental assets.
• Deep understanding of cash management and working capital strategies in businesses with long revenue realization cycles.
• Excellent financial modelling, analytical, and strategic planning skills.
• Strong communication skills and ability to influence both internal stakeholders and external partners.
• Experience working in emerging markets or with climate-positive projects is a plus.

Our offer

• Competitive compensation package with equity
• Opportunity to work on high-impact climate solutions
• A collaborative, mission-driven, and entrepreneurial team culture
• Flexibility in work schedule