Director, Strategic Finance

About the role

Drata is on the lookout for a seasoned finance professional to take on the role of Director of Strategic Finance. This position will serve as a crucial ally to the go-to-market (GTM) executive team, working closely with the Chief Revenue Officer (CRO), Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), and Senior Vice Presidents of Customer Success and Business Development. The primary focus will be on enhancing annual recurring revenue (ARR) forecasting, optimizing resource distribution, and shaping investment strategies that align with the company's growth objectives.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Serve as a key financial consultant to the GTM leadership team, engaging in daily operational discussions to provide insights and guidance.
• Conduct thorough analyses of the GTM engine to pinpoint potential risks and avenues for growth, leveraging data-driven insights to inform decisions.
• Offer financial expertise on new projects and assess the trade-offs associated with various investment opportunities.
• Employ artificial intelligence tools to enhance ARR forecasting models and monitor critical business metrics such as sales productivity, pipeline conversion rates, and customer retention.
• Manage comprehensive investment frameworks, focusing on key performance indicators like customer acquisition cost (CAC), lifetime value (LTV), payback periods, the Magic Number, and marketing efficiency.
• Oversee the planning of GTM capacity and headcount forecasting, ensuring alignment with both annual and long-term budgeting processes.
• Streamline manual spreadsheet tasks by automating processes, allowing for a greater emphasis on strategic decision-making and scalable operational workflows.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure financial strategies align with overall business goals and drive operational efficiency.
• Develop and maintain financial models that support strategic initiatives and provide insights into business performance.
• Prepare and present financial reports and analyses to executive leadership, translating complex data into actionable insights.
• Mentor and guide junior finance team members, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional development within the finance department.
• Stay abreast of industry trends and best practices in finance and SaaS metrics to ensure the company remains competitive and informed.

Requirements

• A minimum of 10 years of experience in financial planning and analysis (FP&A), strategic finance, GTM finance, investment banking, or consulting, particularly within high-growth SaaS or technology sectors.
• Proven experience acting as a senior finance partner to GTM executives, with a strong ability to influence resource allocation decisions.
• In-depth knowledge of GTM finance processes, including long-range planning, forecasting, and performance evaluation.
• Strong analytical skills with the capability to tackle unstructured business challenges and develop financial frameworks from foundational principles.
• Comprehensive understanding of SaaS and recurring revenue metrics, with the ability to effectively communicate insights to executive teams.
• A successful history of collaborating across departments, particularly with Revenue Operations (RevOps) and Finance teams, to enhance process efficiency and effectiveness.

Nice to have

• Familiarity with usage-based revenue models and their financial implications.
• Experience in implementing AI-driven financial tools and analytics.
• Background in scaling finance operations within rapidly growing organizations.

Skills & tools

• Proficient in SaaS metrics such as customer acquisition cost (CAC), lifetime value (LTV), and the Magic Number.
• Expertise in financial modeling and forecasting techniques.
• Experience in capacity and headcount planning methodologies.
• Knowledge of automation tools and process design for financial operations.
• Familiarity with AI-driven analytical tools that enhance data interpretation and decision-making.

Practical notes

• Drata offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes 100% employer-covered medical, dental, and vision premiums for both employees and their dependents.
• Financial benefits include a 401(k) retirement plan, life and disability insurance, and access to tax-advantaged accounts.
• Family support initiatives feature paid parental leave after six months of employment and fertility assistance through Kindbody.
• The company encourages professional growth by providing annual stipends for development and access to internal learning programs.
• This role operates within a hybrid work model, requiring in-office attendance in San Francisco from Tuesday to Thursday, allowing for flexibility while maintaining team collaboration.