Funding Manager

-- Who we are

We are Mantle 8, a clean-tech start-up revolutionizing natural hydrogen exploration with cutting-edge technology and geologic strategies. Backed by leading clean-tech investors including Breakthrough Energy Ventures and Kiko Ventures, we're scaling up affordable natural hydrogen exploration — and you could be a key part of this journey

Natural hydrogen offers an affordable, abundant energy source with significant potential in Europe. At Mantle 8, we integrate cutting-edge geoscience, novel seismic gathering and interpretation through 4D imaging, big data analytics, and AI-driven methodologies to systematically identify prospective areas worldwide

-- What the role is about

As
Funding Manager
, you will work directly with the CFO and play a central role in structuring, securing, and managing the financial resources that enable Mantle8's growth. You will support all core financial activities of the company, ranging from financial reporting and modelling, to budget tracking, fundraising, debt structuring, and public subsidies.

This is a highly hands-on role at the intersection of corporate finance, project finance, and public funding, covering both TopCo-level financing and SPV / project-level structures. You will be instrumental in ensuring that Mantle8 is optimally financed across its exploration portfolio and geographies, which is crucial in delivering its ambitious business plan.

-- What you'll be doing

Financial planning, reporting & modelling

• Support the CFO on financial reporting, cash management, and budget tracking.
• Build, maintain, and refine financial models at both TopCo and SPV / project level.
• Track actuals vs budget and support executive decision-making with clear financial insights.
• Contribute to long-term financial planning aligned with the company's exploration roadmap.

Equity fundraising (TopCo & SPV level)

• Support equity fundraising at the TopCo level, including investor materials, financial narratives, and data rooms.
• Structure and support equity investments at the SPV / project level, including modelling of partner participation and returns.
• Coordinate with internal teams and external advisors during fundraising processes.

Debt, loans & structured financing

• Identify, structure, and apply for loans, debt instruments, and structured financing solutions at both corporate and project level.
• Prepare financial documentation required by banks, public lenders, and other financing institutions.
• Support negotiations and follow-up through closing and drawdown phases.

Public funding & subsidies

• Identify and manage national subsidies across Mantle8's operating geographies.
• Support applications for EU-level grants and funding programs (e.g. innovation, energy transition, exploration-related schemes).
• Coordinate with external consultants and public bodies to maximize funding success rates.
• Ensure proper tracking, reporting, and compliance for awarded subsidies.

SPV & project-level financial structuring

• Support the financial structuring of project SPVs, including capitalisation, funding flows (esp. in relationship to the TopCo), and governance considerations.
• Work closely with the CFO and legal advisors to ensure financial consistency between TopCo and project entities.
• Monitor project-level funding needs as exploration programs mature.

-- What we're looking for

Essential requirements

• Strong financial specialist background, with hands-on experience in financial modelling, reporting, and cash management.
• Proven experience with loans, debt instruments, and public subsidies (national and/or EU-level).
• Experience supporting fundraising processes (equity and/or project finance), ideally in a start-up or scale-up environment.
• High level of technical rigor and attention to detail.
• Ability to work closely with senior leadership in a lean, execution-focused organization.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, evolving environment with multiple parallel financing tracks.

Highly valued

• Experience in energy, natural resources, clean-tech, or infrastructure sectors.
• Prior exposure to SPV / project finance structures.
• Experience working with European/National public funding frameworks.
• Startup experience where autonomy and ownership were key.
• Willingness to fully relocate to the Grenoble area, French Alps.
• Fluent in French.
• Strong motivation to contribute to clean-tech innovation and the energy transition.

-- What we offer

Competitive Package:

• Corporate welfare plan & supplementary health insurance.
• Indefinite contract with full French employment protections.

Unique Opportunity:

• Have a meaningful contribution in the energy revolution of our lifetime by finding a new clean, affordable, and sovereign energy source.
• Live a unique & exciting moment building a nascent new industry (natural hydrogen exploration).
• Significant impact in a high-profile fast-growing clean-tech start-up.
• Collaborative, dynamic, and diverse work environment in the stunning French Alps.

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Ready to help revolutionize clean energy?
Join us in building the future of natural hydrogen exploration

Mantle8 is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds.