Director, Financial Strategy & Operations

Hearst • San Francisco, CA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Be Part of What's Next Help shape the next chapter of one of the most distinctive enthusiast marketplaces in the world. As Director, Financial Strategy & Operations at Bring a Trailer (BaT), you’ll partner closely with leadership to identify new avenues for growth, evaluate transformative opportunities, and bring the financial rigor needed to turn ambitious ideas into smart, actionable decisions. This is a senior, highly visible individual contributor role for someone who thrives at the intersection of strategy and execution. You’ll be expected to think expansively while staying close to the details—building your own models, developing recommendations, and driving high-impact work from idea through execution. Location: SF Bay Area or New York metro area preferred About Hearst Magazines (Why Us?) Hearst Magazines’ portfolio of 30 powerful brands in the U.S. inspires and entertains audiences across all media platforms. Hearst Magazines’ print and digital assets reach millions of readers and site visitors each month. With sophisticated content creation, cutting-edge technology, and industry-leading data capabilities, we make media and products that move people across all platforms. We are a global media company that publishes nearly 200 magazine editions and 175 websites around the world—and together, we are shaping what’s next.

Requirements

• 7-12+ years of experience across strategy, business development, corporate development, financial strategy, or related work, ideally within a high-growth technology or digital marketplace environment; relevant investment banking or consulting experience is also valued.
• Strong financial modeling and analytical capabilities, with the ability to independently build models, pressure-test assumptions, develop scenarios, and translate quantitative analysis into clear business recommendations.
• Demonstrated experience evaluating or executing strategic partnerships, investments, M&A transactions, or other significant growth initiatives.
• Ability to operate as both a strategic thought partner and hands-on executor, moving comfortably between long-term business questions and the details required to deliver results.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to distill complex analyses for senior audiences and build trusted relationships across functions without relying on formal authority.
• An entrepreneurial, learning-oriented approach and comfort building processes, frameworks, and operating rhythms from the ground up in a lean, high-impact environment.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience; an MBA or comparable advanced experience is a plus.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with technology, digital marketplaces, payments, or transaction-based business models is preferred; genuine enthusiasm for the automotive enthusiast community is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Own financial planning and analysis across annual budgeting, rolling forecasts, long-range financial models, variance analysis, and scenario planning, ensuring financial plans reflect BaT’s strategic priorities and provide leadership with actionable insights.
• Shape BaT’s long-term growth strategy by partnering with leadership to develop the strategic plan, identify and size new opportunities across verticals, geographies, customer segments, and adjacencies, and translate priorities into measurable initiatives.
• Evaluate strategic partnerships and business development opportunities by building business cases and assessing revenue potential, customer value, brand fit, and operational feasibility; partner across product and operations to support effective execution.
• Assess M&A and investment opportunities through financial modeling, strategic fit analysis, due diligence, and integration planning, working closely with Hearst corporate development and legal teams to support potential transactions.
• Build executive-level reporting and decision frameworks that provide clear visibility into revenue, growth trends, operational performance, KPIs, and overall business health, using data to turn complex questions into compelling recommendations.
• Analyze monetization and expansion opportunities across pricing, new business initiatives, investments, and international markets while monitoring competitive and marketplace dynamics to keep leadership ahead of emerging opportunities and risks.
• Serve as BaT’s primary financial liaison to Hearst , coordinating with corporate finance, legal, and operational partners on planning, reporting, and key administrative matters while building strong relationships across BaT’s management team.
• Own essential financial operations including accounts payable, bookkeeping oversight, and board document preparation, bringing the same accuracy and accountability to day-to-day execution as to strategic initiatives.

Benefits

• Access to innovative training programs, immersive workshops, and exclusive industry events.
• Flexibility of hybrid work.
• Join Employee Resource Groups.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance from Day 1.
• 401(k) plan with a generous company match.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior