Behind the Circuit: Meet Tim Finney, Head of Operations
At Enode, we’re not just building software. We’re building the infrastructure for a zero-carbon energy system. Behind the scenes, someone has to keep that machine running with clarity, speed and strategic focus.
That’s where Tim Finney comes in.
Tim leads Operations at Enode, a function he’s building from the ground up. He thrives in complexity, volunteers for the hard problems, and consistently drives results. In this edition of Behind the Circuit, we talk to Tim about his journey into climate tech, what operations really looks like at a company like Enode, and the culture that makes it work.
From IPO to Enode: a builder’s mindset
Tim’s path to climate tech started with a chance encounter in Chicago. “I was working in Executive Search and craving something faster-paced,” he says. That conversation led him to Enfusion, a fintech startup where he became the 13th employee. Over the next decade, Tim helped scale the company through multiple funding rounds, international expansion, and eventually to IPO, growing the team to over 1,000 employees. “I might not have been the most experienced person in the room, but I was always willing to work hard and do whatever moved the needle.” That mindset shaped his approach to operations: proactive, adaptable, and focused on impact.
After a stint in healthtech, Tim joined Enode as our first operations hire. This is startup number three – and, as he puts it, the most meaningful one yet.
Building the systems behind the strategy
Tim joined Enode earlier this year to lay the foundation for operations. Today, he leads Finance, People, Legal and Business Operations, as well as other cross-functional efforts that help the company move faster and with more focus.
“We’re not here to maintain processes. We’re here to be a strategic multiplier and build systems that scale,” Tim explains. “Our job is to remove friction, create clarity, and support every function in doing their best work.”
One recent example: rebuilding Enode’s monthly metrics and reporting in collaboration with the CEO and leadership team. “We shifted from a dense data dump to a focused, strategy-aligned view of how the business is performing. Now it’s easier to see where we’re going and what matters most.”
For Tim, this kind of work is where operations shines: not just tracking performance, but helping shape it.
What it takes to thrive in operations
Enode’s operations team is small, high-context, and designed to move fast. “You work across teams, solve problems that don’t come with a playbook, and constantly switch contexts,” Tim says.
To thrive in that environment, he looks for people who are curious, adaptable, and eager to learn. “Sometimes solving the problem means learning a brand new tool. You have to be okay with that.”
The reward? Real impact. “Operations gives you a front-row seat to how the business runs. And a chance to shape how it evolves.”
Working remotely, staying connected
Tim lives just outside Detroit and works most days from a local coworking space, part of Enode’s remote-first setup. “We’re not limited by geography. We can hire the best people, wherever they live.”
The structure gives him focus and flexibility, while off-sites twice a year help build deeper relationships across the company. “It’s a balance that works. You feel trusted, supported, and part of something bigger.”
Looking ahead
As Enode continues to grow, so does the scope of operations. Tim is thinking ahead: about scaling systems, automating workflows, and improving how the company uses data to inform decisions.
To support that growth, he’s now hiring a Financial Operations & Automation Specialist. It’s a key second hire into the team that will partner closely with him to solve problems - and have fun doing it.
The role will offer the rare opportunity to own foundational systems and build automation to help us scale effectively. Primarily by designing the toolkit that underpins Finance.
“Put simply, the impact will be huge,” he says. “This is the kind of role where your work shapes how the company runs, and how fast it can move.”
Advice for new Enoders
For Tim, what makes Enode special is the combination of mission, momentum and ownership.
“We’re solving one of the most important problems of our time — accelerating the energy transition through technology. And we’re doing it with a small, focused team and a category-defining product.”
Such work requires real ownership, and for that, Tim’s advice is simple and direct. “Act like an owner. Look for places to add value. Step up when there’s a gap. That’s how things move forward, and it’s how you grow.”
