Vice President, Finance and Operations

Semafor is seeking a VP-level finance leader to build out their agile finance organization to support rapid growth. The ideal candidate will possess an international outlook and global experience, an entrepreneurial mindset, and a deep passion for innovation and automation in financial operations. Reporting to the CFO, this critical leadership team role will be responsible for designing and managing Semafor’s global finance operations. The role includes overseeing outsourced finance and internal business operations teams, promoting a culture of high performance and continuous improvement, and upgrading and implementing an appropriate system of policies, internal controls, accounting standards, and procedures.

• Oversee, direct, and organize the work of Semafor's outsourced finance and internal business operations teams
• Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to excellence
• Upgrade and implement an appropriate system of policies, internal controls, accounting standards, and procedures
• Plan, coordinate, and execute the budget process
• Provide analytical support to Semafor's internal management team including development of internal management reporting capabilities
• Improve administrative and operational accounting services such as treasury management, spend management/payment processing, payroll, accounts payable, and purchasing

• Business or Accounting degree mandatory, an MBA is preferred
• CPA preferred
• Minimum 10 years experience in a management role ideally with both external audit and in-house financial management experience gained in a high-growth organization
• Proven track record of success facilitating progressive organizational change and development within a growing organization
• Excellent judgment and creative problem solving skills including negotiation and conflict resolution skills
• Strong mentoring, coaching experience to a team with diverse levels of expertise
• Entrepreneurial team player who can multitask
• Superior management skills; ability to influence and engage direct and indirect reports and peers
• Self reliant, good problem solver, results oriented
• Energetic, flexible, collaborative, and proactive; a team leader who can positively and productively impact both strategic and tactical finance and administration initiatives.
• Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills and the ability to effectively
• Ability to operate as an effective tactical as well as strategic thinker
• An international background, a global outlook, and/or a demonstrated commitment to diversity.
• Understanding of the news publishing space and a passion for supporting great journalism.
• Experience working in creative, innovative and distributed international environments.