Head of Strategic Finance

About the role

This Head of Strategic Finance role involves leading Cohere's financial strategy, encompassing budgeting, forecasting, and long-term planning. The individual will be instrumental in developing fundraising strategies and preparing materials for investor relations and board reporting. A core aspect of the work includes evaluating key business initiatives and providing recommendations to executive management based on thorough financial and strategic analysis.

The position requires performing detailed financial analyses for critical strategic decisions such as the Annual Operating Plan, M&A activities, strategic investments, and capital market transactions. This includes constructing complex ad-hoc analyses like scenario modeling and contingency planning to support internal investment decisions and fundraising. The role also involves managing the long-term planning process, focusing on operational and financial benchmarking in coordination with the FP&A team.

Success in this role means effectively translating complex financial concepts into actionable business insights for both financial and non-financial stakeholders. The Head of Strategic Finance will be responsible for identifying business drivers and risks, presenting these to the Executive Team, and building strong relationships with cross-functional partners. The ability to inspire trust and provide mentorship to team members while operating in a rapidly scaling environment is also key.

The listed salary range for this role in the US is between $330,000 and $410,000 USD.

Skills that matter here

• Strategic Finance: This role requires leadership experience in Strategic Finance to oversee financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting.
• SaaS or similar technology organization: Experience in a SaaS or similar technology organization is needed to understand AI/ML market dynamics and enterprise sales cycles.
• financial modeling: Exceptional Excel and financial modeling skills are necessary for M&A, capital markets, valuation, and fundraising modeling.
• investor relations: Experience with investor relations is required to assist in preparing materials for fundraising and board reporting.
• data visualization tools: Knowledge of data visualization tools is expected to support financial analysis and presentations.
• finance governance frameworks: A proven track record of implementing finance governance frameworks is needed in a rapidly scaling environment.

Who this role suits

• A person with over 15 years of leadership experience in strategic finance within high-growth tech environments.
• An individual who can effectively communicate complex financial concepts to non-financial stakeholders and build cross-functional relationships.
• Someone who thrives in a fast-paced, scaling environment and has a deep understanding of AI/ML market dynamics and enterprise sales.
• A leader capable of mentoring team members and inspiring trust across an organization.

From the employer

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead strategic financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, long-term planning, and assist in fundraising strategy development.
• Partner with the CFO and Investor Relations to assist to prepare materials for fundraising, investor relations, and board reporting. Partner with senior leadership to evaluate key business initiatives.
• Lead and perform financial analyses for a variety of strategic decisions, including Annual Operating Plan, M&A, strategic investments, partnerships, capital market transactions, and fundraising opportunities.
• Provide recommendations to executive management based on both financial and strategic implications of investment decisions. Identify business drivers and risks and present them to the Executive Team.
• Construct detailed ad-hoc analyses (scenario modeling, sensitivity analyses, and contingency planning) to support internal investment decision-making and fundraising efforts.
• Manage the long-term planning process with a focus on operational and financial benchmarking, coordinating with the FP&A team.

Qualifications:

• 15+ years of leadership experience in Strategic Finance, including a track record of building and scaling finance teams in high-growth environments.
• Experience operating in a SaaS or similar technology organization, coupled with an understanding of AI/ML market dynamics, pricing strategies, and enterprise sales cycles.
• Deep knowledge of enterprise-level financial planning systems and experience with data visualization tools. Proven track record of implementing finance governance frameworks and controls in a rapidly scaling environment.
• Exceptional Excel and financial modeling skills, including M&A, capital markets, valuation, and fundraising modeling experience. Experience with investor relations and capital raising activities.
• Executive level presentation & communication skills. Experience building relationships with cross-functional partners, inspiring trust across the organization while providing mentorship to team members.
• Track record of success translating complex financial concepts into actionable business insights for non-financial stakeholders.

Compensation:

Cohere is committed to fair and transparent pay practices. The salary range listed for this role reflects the expected base compensation. Actual compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, level, job-related knowledge, skills, education, and experience.

For candidates in the US, the Compensation Range is: $330,000 – $410,000 [USD]

FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES AT COHERE ENJOY THESE PERKS:

• A weekly lunch stipend of $75/£75 or equivalent in your local currency for lunch.
• Full health and dental benefits, including a separate budget for mental health.
• RRSP matching, 401K, Pension Scheme.
• 100% Parental Leave top-up for up to 6 months, for either parent.
• Annual enrichment benefits:
• Arts & culture, fitness/wellness, quality time, and a workspace improvement credit.
• Education & learning stipend for conferences, courses, and coaching.
• 6 weeks of paid vacation (30 working days!)
• Budget for traveling to other offices if you are remote, plus an annual company offsite.