Director, Financial Planning & Analysis

Job Summary

The Director of FP&A will be responsible for the annual budget, rolling forecasts, variance to actual analysis, KPI tracking, management reporting, new business case analysis and presentation to investors on forecast and budget matters. This role will be crucial in helping to tackle the company’s most important strategic questions including resource allocations, business planning, product strategy, and key investment decisions. The Director of FP&A will support leaders across multiple business units and the executive team and will be called on to articulate the Company’s financial strategy to key investors and other external stakeholders.  We are looking for a candidate who will bring a fresh perspective on resource efficiency and prioritization for the company.

Essential Responsibilities

• Lead the budgeting, forecasting, and monthly close processes for all business units. 
• Partner with the accounting team on aspects of the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, including managing expense accruals, management reporting, and budget vs. actual variance analysis.
• Update the forecast on a rolling basis including inputs for headcount spend, non-headcount spend, and capital expenses. Collaborate with business partners to ensure that the forecast is accurate, precise and achievable.
• Analyze financial and operational results to understand and report on KPIs, variance to forecast, variance to budget, and underlying causes for business performance. 
• Prepare and present financial results, risks, and opportunities to business partners and the Senior Leadership Team.  Use professional reports and compelling visuals to convey information.
• Collaborate with leaders across the company to ensure resource allocation is aligned with company strategy. Provide creative alternatives and recommendations to improve resource management and properly prioritize company initiatives.
• Act as a trusted financial advisor to business partners and the senior leadership team. 
• Drive continuous improvement of financial processes and systems to meet the needs of the growing business.
• Develop financial projections, pro forma financial statements, and other analyses (e.g. NPV, breakeven, make vs. buy, payback, etc.) for new business cases and for investor presentations.
• Identify strategic drivers of the business and develop scenario-based forecasts based on the impact of these drivers 
• Effectively communicate insights and plans to cross-functional team members and management, including recommendations backed by data.  
• Provide guidance and team development for direct reports as needed
• Staying current or FP&A industry best practices
• Actively monitor and analyze factors outside of a company, such as market trends, competitor actions, technological advancements, and industry regulations, to identify potential opportunities and threats that could impact its competitive position within the market

Qualifications and Experience

Candidates most successful in this role typically hold the following qualifications or comparable knowledge or experience:

Required

• 10+ years relevant experience with increasing levels of responsibility and people leadership experience
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics or related field
• In-depth proficiency in aspects of accounting/finance and knowledge of US GAAP 
• Ability to present financial information to a non-financial audience
• Strong project management and organizational skills are essential 
• Strong quantitative, analytical, and problem-solving skills are essential 
• Strong Excel skills and ability to create functional and scalable models
• Superior communication skills (both verbal and written) and ability to foster communication/collaboration amongst departments
• Ability to manage tight deadlines, prioritize workloads and achieve effective results in a dynamic, ever-growing and often ambiguous environment
• Proven desire to learn and go above and beyond to continuously improve processes and deliverables
• Demonstrated ability to grow and mentor supporting team members
• Experience with startup companies or high growth companies, particularly in R&D intensive/deep tech businesses 
• Ability to travel, if required to support the business

Desirable

• MBA and/or CPA
• Previous experience in finance for a software development function
• Experience working with planning & reporting systems such as Netsuite or Hyperion
• Knowledgeable about the autonomous vehicle industry
  
  

Physical Requirements

• Standard office working conditions which includes but is not limited to:
• Prolonged sitting
• Prolonged standing
• Prolonged computer use
• Lift up to 50 pounds

Travel required? -  Minimal: 1%-10%