Head of Finance

Photon•New York, NY

1d•$200,000 - $230,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Photon is seeking a hands-on Head of Finance to build and own the company’s finance function. The role spans financial modeling, planning and forecasting, accounting operations, reporting, pricing and unit economics, fundraising readiness, spending, and finance systems. The Head of Finance will partner with the executive team on decisions about pricing, growth, and capital, while ensuring the company’s books are clean and timely. This is an individual-contributor role with no team initially. The successful candidate will build and maintain the financial model, run the close, conduct analysis, and turn operating data into clear insights that inform company decisions. The role will also establish finance infrastructure and processes that can support the company as it scales.

Requirements

At least 7 years of experience, including early-career training in investment banking, management consulting, or a similarly rigorous analytical environment.
At least 2 years in a finance, strategic finance, or BizOps role at a venture-backed startup through a period of significant growth.
Direct ownership beyond FP&A in at least two areas: fundraising, pricing or unit economics, board reporting, or cash and capital planning.
Hands-on experience owning or managing accounting operations, including monthly close, audit or tax preparation, and outside accounting partners.
Ability to build and maintain complex financial models and explain them simply to non-finance audiences.
Clear, confident communication skills and the ability to maintain and explain a point of view under pressure.
Willingness to work from the Brooklyn office at least three days per week.

Nice To Haves

Experience building finance infrastructure from scratch at an early-stage company, including systems, close processes, and spending controls.
Experience in healthcare, pharmacy, marketplace, or payments businesses where transaction economics are complex.
Experience modeling enterprise contracts, including pilots, implementation fees, and multi-year deals.
Experience supporting a priced equity round (Series A or later), including diligence and the data room.

Responsibilities

Own Photon’s operating model, budget, and forecasts as the source of truth for leadership decisions about hiring, burn, and runway.
Own financial reporting for leadership and investors, including metrics, updates, and materials.
Analyze unit economics and use findings to shape pricing, contract structure, and go-to-market decisions with Sales and Partnerships.
Run annual planning and the operating cadence, including KPIs, budget-versus-actuals, and monthly business reviews.
Own accounting operations, including monthly close, audit, tax, and relationships with supporting partners; maintain clean and timely books.
Build finance infrastructure, systems, spending controls, and processes that can support the company as it scales.
Lead fundraising readiness by preparing investor-grade metrics, the financial model, data room, and narrative, and partner with the executive team through the next raise.
Take on strategic projects such as new-channel or market analysis, build-versus-buy decisions, and major-contract economics.