Application Guide

How to Apply for Controller

at Heirloom

🏢 About Heirloom

Heirloom is pioneering direct air capture technology that accelerates Earth's natural carbon mineralization process, aiming to remove 1 billion tons of CO₂ by 2035. Unlike generic climate tech companies, they're building scalable infrastructure that mimics and accelerates geological processes, offering a tangible solution to climate change. Working here means contributing directly to a mission-driven company with measurable environmental impact targets.

About This Role

As Controller at Heirloom, you'll build the finance function from the ground up while managing month-end close, financial reporting, budgeting, and cash flow for a rapidly scaling climate tech company. This role is impactful because you'll provide the financial infrastructure needed to scale carbon removal operations, directly enabling the company's ambitious goal of removing billions of tons of CO₂. You'll work closely with leadership to ensure financial decisions support aggressive growth while maintaining compliance.

💡 A Day in the Life

You might start your day reviewing cash flow projections for upcoming carbon capture facility expansions, then meet with department heads to align quarterly budgets with operational goals. In the afternoon, you could oversee the month-end close process while interviewing candidates to build out your accounting team, followed by preparing financial reports that demonstrate how Heirloom's operations are tracking toward its billion-ton carbon removal target.

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🎯 Who Heirloom Is Looking For

  • Has experience building finance/accounting functions from scratch in high-growth startups, particularly in climate tech or hard-tech sectors
  • Demonstrates expertise in managing month-end close processes while implementing scalable systems for a company planning rapid expansion
  • Shows passion for climate solutions and can articulate how financial management enables carbon removal at scale
  • Possesses experience with tax compliance and financial reporting for mission-driven organizations with complex operational models

📝 Tips for Applying to Heirloom

1

Highlight specific experience building finance teams and processes from the ground up in climate tech or similar mission-driven startups

2

Quantify your impact in previous roles using metrics related to scaling operations, improving close timelines, or implementing financial controls

3

Research Heirloom's specific technology (accelerated carbon mineralization) and mention how your financial expertise could support scaling this unique process

4

Demonstrate understanding of the regulatory landscape for carbon removal companies and how you'd ensure compliance

5

Show how you've worked with leadership teams in fast-paced environments to align financial strategy with ambitious growth targets

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your experience building finance functions from scratch in mission-driven organizations', "How you've managed financial operations during rapid scaling phases", "Your understanding of Heirloom's specific carbon removal technology and its financial implications", 'Examples of implementing robust internal controls while supporting aggressive growth']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Heirloom's specific carbon mineralization technology and how it differs from other direct air capture approaches
  • → The company's partnerships and funding rounds (including Breakthrough Energy Ventures involvement)
  • → The regulatory and policy landscape for carbon removal credits and how it affects financial operations
  • → Heirloom's announced projects and expansion plans to understand scaling challenges

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you design and implement scalable financial processes for a company planning to remove 1 billion tons of CO₂ by 2035?
2 Describe your experience managing month-end close while building out an accounting team in a high-growth environment
3 How would you approach budgeting and forecasting for capital-intensive carbon removal infrastructure projects?
4 What financial controls and compliance considerations are unique to a direct air capture company scaling operations?
5 How have you previously collaborated with leadership teams to align financial strategy with ambitious mission-driven goals?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Presenting only corporate finance experience without demonstrating ability to build processes from scratch
  • Failing to show understanding of Heirloom's specific technology and business model
  • Focusing solely on compliance and controls without addressing how you'd support aggressive scaling

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Heirloom!

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