Strategic Finance Lead

As a Strategic Finance Lead at Air, your primary responsibilities will include financial planning and analysis, where you'll build and maintain comprehensive financial models. Additionally, you'll track and analyze key financial KPIs to support decision-making, facilitate budget planning, and partner with various teams to prioritize roadmaps. Your role will also involve preparing external reports for investors and managing financial operations, along with overseeing deal negotiations with vendors.

To excel as a Strategic Finance Lead at Air, candidates should possess 4-7 years of relevant experience in strategic finance or related fields such as FP&A, investment banking, or private equity. A strong preference is given to those with experience in technology companies. Superior communication skills and the ability to manage relationships at all organizational levels, along with a detail-oriented approach, are crucial in this role.

The Strategic Finance Lead role at Air embraces a hybrid work model, which means you'll be expected to attend the office at least three days a week. This approach fosters collaboration with the leadership team and other departments while also providing flexibility for remote work to ensure a healthy work-life balance.

At Air, we pride ourselves on a supportive and entrepreneurial culture that emphasizes problem-solving without ego. Open communication, empathy, and a willingness to challenge the status quo are central to how we operate. As a Strategic Finance Lead, you’ll be embraced by a diverse team eager to foster innovation and inclusiveness, making it an ideal environment for personal and professional growth.

The compensation range for the Strategic Finance Lead position at Air is CAD $140,000 to $210,000, depending on experience and qualifications. In addition to competitive pay, we offer comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, a generous work-from-home stipend, reimbursement for professional development, and unlimited vacation days, highlighting our commitment to the well-being and growth of our employees.

When forecasting, I start by gathering historical financial data and analyzing trends to form a foundation. I involve relevant teams to incorporate operational insights and ensure the forecast aligns with our strategic goals. By constructing multiple scenarios and adjusting for anticipated changes, I create accurate forecasts that guide decision-making.

I've built complex financial models that serve various functions, including forecasting and performance analysis. My approach involves structuring the model to allow for flexibility, ensuring it can adapt to different scenarios. I emphasize clear documentation and easy navigation, which enhances collaboration and understanding across teams.

I assess competing projects based on their impact on the overall business strategy and align my priorities accordingly. Clear communication with stakeholders helps me understand their needs and provides insight into immediate versus long-term challenges, allowing me to prioritize effectively.

Building relationships across departments starts with open communication and regular check-ins to understand their goals and challenges. I prioritize collaboration by inviting stakeholders to be part of the planning process and valuing their input, fostering trust and mutual respect over time.

I proactively analyze underperforming metrics to identify root causes, ensuring I collaborate with the relevant teams for insights. By developing targeted action plans and metrics for improvement, I track our progress closely and adjust strategies based on data-driven feedback.

I have extensive experience preparing and presenting financial reports, ensuring that I tailor the information to my audience's needs. I focus on clarity and relevance, using visual aids to highlight key takeaways and encouraging dialogue to address concerns or questions.

In strategic decision-making, I leverage data analysis to provide actionable insights while considering the broader business context. Engaging with interdisciplinary teams fosters a holistic view and allows us to weigh opportunities or risks effectively before making informed decisions.

One successful project involved redesigning our budgeting process. By integrating new software and establishing clearer guidelines, we reduced the budget preparation time by 30% while enhancing accuracy. I engaged cross-functional teams throughout the process, ensuring smoother implementation and buy-in.

I frequently use financial modeling tools like Excel for in-depth analysis and BI tools for data visualization. SQL has proven invaluable in managing and querying large data sets effectively, allowing me to derive actionable insights that drive outcomes.

Ensuring compliance starts with staying updated on regulations and industry standards. I collaborate closely with the accounting team to maintain accurate records and conduct regular audits, fostering an environment of transparency and accountability within financial practices.