VP Operations

Job description

About forward earth At forward earth, we envision a world where sustainability and decarbonisation are not just buzzwords but fundamental business practices. Our mission is to accelerate that transformation - fast. We provide embedded carbon management software that empowers our partners to offer decarbonisation tools directly to their customers. From product-level footprints to actionable supply chain insights, our SaaS platform helps organisations reduce emissions at scale, backed by cutting-edge AI, high automation, and a deep focus on real-world climate impact. We are a hybrid team working with ambitious companies across the world - and we are just getting started. The Role We are hiring a VP Operations to build and own the operational backbone of forward earth. This is a broad, high-impact role that sits at the intersection of Finance, People, Strategy, and Day-to-Day Operations. You will report directly to the founders and play a central role in how we run and scale the company. You will lead a small team of 2–3 people and be responsible for building the systems, processes, and culture that enable our business to grow sustainably. This role is ideal for someone who thrives on variety, enjoys both operational detail and strategic thinking, and wants to shape how a fast-moving early-stage company operates from the inside. Your Responsibilities Finance Own financial planning, budgeting, and controlling - maintaining and improving our financial model, updating actuals, and refining forecasts for hiring, burn, and revenue Own the business case together with the CEO to drive long term strategic planning, evaluate business expansions and drive profitability of our company Build clear investor reporting on cash, runway, and key financial KPIs, and prepare concise materials for board and advisor updates Oversee day-to-day accounting together with our external accounting firm, including closing activities, compliance filings, and tax-related administration Handle financial reporting and ensure accuracy in line with HGB and, where applicable, IFRS standards People Drive a high-performance culture through structured performance management - including goal-setting cycles, regular reviews, and feedback frameworks Own recruiting processes end-to-end: from role scoping and sourcing to offer, onboarding, and ramp-up, working closely with hiring managers Shape and steward forward earth's culture - ensuring our values, ways of working, and team rituals translate into a strong employee experience as we scale Manage and develop your own team of 2–3 people and drive excellence across the whole organization Strategy Lead the company's strategy process, including facilitating OKR cycles, goal alignment workshops, and quarterly reviews with the leadership team Maintain clear tracking and reporting on OKRs and company-wide goals, ensuring visibility and accountability across the organisation Act as a thought partner to the founders on strategic priorities, trade-offs, and key decisions Operations Own the day-to-day running of the company — keeping operational workflows, internal tools, and administrative processes running smoothly Manage office management and any in-person infrastructure needs, including vendor relationships and facilities Oversee IT and tooling: managing our software stack, licences, access management, and onboarding/offboarding workflows Continuously identify bottlenecks, drive process improvements, and build documentation as the company scales What We Are Looking For Several years of experience in a broad operations, chief of staff, or finance leadership role - ideally in a SaaS, tech, or startup environment, top-tier consulting background is a plus Strong financial foundation: comfortable with financial modelling, cash planning, and accounting concepts (HGB, IFRS familiarity is a plus) Affinity for building automated processes to run a lean and highly efficient Ops department and drive cross-functional automation and efficiency Proven experience in people topics: general knowledge in key areas from recruiting and performance management to culture and team development Structured, reliable, well-organised, and detail-oriented: you are someone who follows through, keeps systems clean, and never drops the ball Proactive and self-driven: you do not wait to be asked, you identify problems and drive solutions from idea to implementation Excellent communicator in English; Strong German skills as you will own the interface with German authorities Experience working across multiple functions simultaneously: you are energised by variety, not overwhelmed by it Why Join forward earth? Shape how a fast-growing climate tech company operates - from the inside, at the highest level Work directly with experienced founders and gain first-hand exposure to strategic decisions, fundraising, and scaling challenges Lead a small, high-ownership team and build the functions you own from a strong foundation Join a low-ego, high-autonomy culture that values initiative, ownership, and clear communication and having a good time! Competitive salary, flexible remote work (Berlin-based but hybrid setu-up, and full-time or part-time arrangements available A role with significant long-term growth potential as forward earth scales