Director of Strategic Finance

Lead • New York, NY

1d

About The Position

Lead is a fintech building banking infrastructure for embedded financial products and services, operating an FDIC-insured bank headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, with additional offices in San Francisco, Sunnyvale, and New York City. The company blends regulatory and technological expertise to help fintech partners scale operations with compliance and creativity, offering unparalleled technical expertise, oversight expertise, automated compliance systems, bespoke program management, and a commitment to transparency and operational rigor. As the Director of Strategic Finance, you will be a high-impact leader and primary strategic partner to the Chief Financial Officer, working at the intersection of corporate strategy, capital markets, and financial operations. This leadership position requires deep technical financial structuring expertise and the ability to navigate complex organizational workflows. You will be responsible for architecting the balance sheet strategy, overseeing capital structure evolution (including warehouse facilities and ABS platforms), and leading the digital transformation of the finance function through AI and enhanced data architecture. You will also act as the connective tissue between FP&A, Product Finance, and Accounting to ensure strategic vision is backed by rigorous modeling and operational excellence.

Requirements

• Experience: 10–12+ years of experience in high-level finance roles, with a mandatory background in Investment Banking (M&A or Leveraged Finance) and/or Private Equity investing.
• Technical Expertise: Deep mastery of complex financial modeling, capital markets structuring, and balance sheet management.
• Restructuring & Scaling: Proven track record in financial restructuring and a demonstrated ability to develop strategies for companies undergoing rapid, significant scaling.
• Strategic Mindset: Ability to see beyond the numbers to the broader business implications, coupled with the "tenured" presence required to work alongside PE partners and institutional investors.
• Communication & Influence: Exceptional interpersonal and presentation skills; ability to synthesize highly technical financial structures for the Board of Directors and non-financial stakeholders.
• Project Management: Experience managing department-wide projects and the ability to drive outcomes in a fluid, high-autonomy environment.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, or a related field
• Mindset: Action-oriented, curious, and comfortable navigating the ambiguity of a thriving, evolving financial institution.

Nice To Haves

• Specific experience with ABS, warehouse lending, or structured credit is highly preferred.
• MBA or CFA designation is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Drive Strategic Initiatives: Assist the CFO in leading mission-critical projects, including the implementation of AI-driven finance tools, workflow automation, and the enhancement of data accuracy across the organization.
• Architect Balance Sheet Strategy: Design and execute a scalable capital strategy; lead the development of warehouse facilities, forward flow arrangements, and the eventual establishment of Asset-Backed Securities (ABS) facilities.
• Lead Complex Financial Structuring: Utilize your investment banking or private equity background to develop sophisticated pricing structures for lending products and optimize capital allocation across the balance sheet.
• Formalize Partnership Economics: Create a rigorous, standardized approach to pricing and structuring new partnerships, ensuring all deals are supported by detailed, multi-scenario financial models.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Coordinate across FP&A, Product Finance, and Accounting to ensure strategic goals are integrated into the bank’s long-range plans and daily operations.
• Capital Markets Relationship Management: Leverage and expand long-standing relationships within the Private Equity and structured finance communities to support the bank’s funding and liquidity needs.
• High-Stakes Modeling: Build and maintain the "source of truth" financial models that define the bank’s path to significant scale and long-term profitability.
• Advisory & Thought Leadership: Serve as a subject matter expert to the executive team on financial restructuring, market trends, and competitive positioning.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Benefits

• Competitive compensation, including opportunities for equity grants and cash bonus, based on experience, geographic location, and role
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, 401k Matching, and other wellness benefits, including FSA, HSA and HRA
• Paid parental leave
• Flexible vacation policy, including PTO and paid holidays
• A fun and challenging team environment in a dynamic industry with ample opportunities for career growth

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees