Senior Director of Strategic Planning and Analysis

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Senior Director of Strategic Planning and Analysis based in the United States.

The Senior Director of Strategic Planning and Analysis will play a pivotal role in shaping financial strategy, long-term business planning, and executive decision-making. Reporting to senior finance leadership, you will own the long-range planning process and transform complex financial and operational data into actionable insights that support sustainable growth. You will leverage artificial intelligence to modernize financial planning, forecasting, reporting, and analytical processes, driving greater efficiency, accuracy, and strategic value. Working closely with executive leadership and cross-functional teams, you will influence investment priorities, financial performance, and business strategy. You will also contribute to investor communications and Board-level reporting, ensuring financial narratives are clear, consistent, and data-driven. This is a high-impact leadership opportunity for an experienced strategic finance professional in a dynamic, technology-driven, and AI-focused environment, with the potential to build and lead a team as the function expands.

• Lead long-range strategic planning: Own and continuously evolve the long-range planning (LRP) process, including its framework, financial assumptions, models, and regular updates in collaboration with executive leadership and Corporate FP&A.
• Translate strategy into financial objectives: Convert corporate strategy into measurable financial and operational targets, multi-year forecasts, investment priorities, and scenarios that support profitable and sustainable growth.
• Develop integrated financial models: Partner with Go-To-Market and Corporate FP&A leaders to build an annual recurring revenue (ARR)-based planning model covering new bookings, customer churn, product and geographic performance, sales volumes, and average selling prices. Ensure this model supports alignment across Product, Sales, and Finance and informs both long-range planning and annual operating plans.
• Drive scenario planning and financial analysis: Lead sensitivity analyses, financial modeling, and business scenario assessments to evaluate strategic alternatives, identify risks, support capital allocation, and guide executive decisions.
• Transform financial planning through AI: Modernize planning, forecasting, and analytical processes through artificial intelligence, including automated scenario generation, variance explanations, financial insights, and narrative reporting.
• Build AI-enabled solutions: Develop and deploy scalable AI-powered financial models, analytical workflows, and automation tools, leveraging internal technology platforms where appropriate while maintaining accuracy, transparency, auditability, and public-company standards.
• Establish responsible AI practices: Evaluate emerging AI technologies in collaboration with Finance Systems, IT, and Data teams, establish appropriate standards for responsible AI adoption, and support the integration of AI into everyday financial planning and analysis.
• Improve reporting and analytics: Develop scalable financial models, data structures, business intelligence solutions, and self-service reporting capabilities that improve analytical quality, accessibility, and decision-making speed.
• Provide strategic business partnership: Collaborate with leaders across Product, Engineering, General and Administrative functions, and Go-To-Market teams to align financial plans, investments, and business outcomes with corporate priorities.
• Deliver financial and operational insights: Analyze revenue performance, profitability, unit economics, operating leverage, investment returns, and other key business indicators to identify opportunities and support performance improvements.
• Support investor relations and financial communications: Partner with Investor Relations to develop the financial analysis, market context, and strategic insights behind external financial messaging, including earnings materials, investor presentations, and long-term financial targets.
• Prepare executive and Board presentations: Develop clear, accurate, and compelling materials for executive leadership, Board members, investors, and analysts, ensuring alignment with disclosure controls and collaborating with Legal where necessary.
• Strengthen financial storytelling: Translate complex financial information into concise, persuasive narratives, anticipate investor questions, and provide benchmarking and market intelligence to support external communications.
• Influence strategic decisions: Turn ambiguous business questions into structured analyses and actionable recommendations, establishing clear success metrics and helping senior stakeholders make informed decisions.
• Set standards for excellence: Promote analytical rigor, effective communication, financial discipline, and strong cross-functional collaboration while continuously improving planning processes and business partnership capabilities.
• Develop the finance function: Lead major cross-functional initiatives and build and develop a high-performing team as the responsibilities and scope of the function expand.

Requirements:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related discipline is required.
• Professional experience: At least 12 years of progressive experience in financial planning and analysis (FP&A), strategic finance, corporate strategy, business analytics, or related functions.
• Strategic planning expertise: Demonstrated experience owning and managing a long-range planning process or complex multi-year strategic financial model, including the ability to connect financial forecasts with broader business objectives.
• Advanced financial modeling: Strong expertise in financial modeling, forecasting, scenario planning, sensitivity analysis, ARR modeling, and financial performance evaluation.
• AI and technology proficiency: Hands-on experience applying artificial intelligence to financial planning, forecasting, reporting, or analytics, with a strong understanding of modern AI models and their practical business applications.
• Technical capabilities: Proficiency in SQL, business intelligence tools, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, financial planning platforms, and modern data analytics technologies.
• SaaS and technology experience: Experience within the SaaS or technology industry is highly valuable, particularly in organizations operating within a public-company environment.
• Public-company financial reporting: Familiarity with public-company financial processes, executive reporting, disclosure requirements, and Board-level presentations is preferred.
• Investor relations experience: Previous involvement in investor communications, earnings preparation, financial messaging, or analyst presentations is an advantage.
• Strategic and commercial understanding: Strong ability to connect financial results, operating metrics, market conditions, and business strategy to identify opportunities and recommend effective actions.
• Executive communication: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the executive presence and confidence to present complex financial information clearly to CEOs, Board members, investors, and senior stakeholders.
• Stakeholder management: Proven ability to influence senior leaders, build trusted relationships, and collaborate across multiple functions without relying on direct reporting authority.
• Leadership capabilities: Experience leading complex cross-functional initiatives, managing competing priorities, and developing teams as organizational needs evolve.
• Adaptability: Comfortable navigating ambiguity, changing business priorities, and fast-moving technology environments, with the ability to learn quickly and embrace new approaches to financial management.
• Additional qualifications preferred: MBA, CPA, or CFA certification.
• Investment and corporate development experience: Background in investment evaluation, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) analysis, or corporate development is an advantage.
• Travel availability: Willingness and ability to travel up to 25% for strategic team meetings and corporate events.
• Remote working capabilities: Ability to work effectively in a remote environment with an appropriate workspace and strong virtual collaboration skills.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary: Annual base salary ranging from $185,000 to $315,000, depending on geographic location, qualifications, professional experience, skills, and other relevant factors.
• Annual performance bonus: Eligibility for a discretionary bonus, typically paid annually.
• Equity compensation: Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) granted upon hiring, providing an opportunity to participate in long-term company value creation.
• Retirement benefits: 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching contributions.
• Comprehensive healthcare: Access to a comprehensive employee benefits package.
• Remote work flexibility: Ability to work remotely from any location within the United States or from an office, depending on individual preferences and business requirements.
• Professional impact: Opportunity to influence corporate strategy, financial planning, and executive decision-making at a senior leadership level.
• Technology and innovation: Exposure to advanced AI technologies and the opportunity to transform traditional financial planning and analytics processes.
• Career development: Opportunity to expand leadership responsibilities and build a dedicated team as the function grows.
• Strategic collaboration: Direct engagement with executive leadership, cross-functional business partners, and investor relations stakeholders.
• Meaningful work: Opportunity to contribute to a technology-driven environment focused on transparency, accountability, financial confidence, and trusted business decision-making.