Product Strategic Finance

About the role

This role sits at the intersection of rigorous financial analysis and strategic business influence, defining how Plaid measures and pursues long-term value. You will own the development and maintenance of the financial models that underpin our growth strategy and market positioning. In this capacity, you will create the analytical frameworks that translate complex business data into clear, actionable insights for executives and board members. Your work will directly inform leadership decisions on product investments, go-to-market strategies, and operational efficiency by quantifying trade-offs and outcomes. You will act as a key partner to business leaders, providing the financial structure necessary for optimized decision-making across the organization. The position requires a high degree of ownership, where you will drive key financial initiatives and take accountability for the accuracy and impact of your analyses. You will be responsible for evaluating the financial health of new opportunities and communicating findings in a manner that is both data-driven and accessible. Ultimately, this role ensures that the company's strategic direction is grounded in robust financial reality and forward-looking projections.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Architect and maintain Plaid's dynamic financial models, constructing scenario analyses and forecasting tools that evaluate the impact of strategic choices on the business.
• Partner directly with cross-functional business leaders to develop, manage, and monitor department budgets, providing oversight for capital allocation decisions and profitability analysis.
• Conduct in-depth market assessments to evaluate growth vectors, determining market size, total addressable revenue, unit economics, and cost structures to identify high-value opportunities.
• Design and deliver analytical frameworks and decision tools that enable business leaders to assess options, understand performance drivers, and optimize outcomes.
• Establish and refine key financial performance indicators, building executive dashboards and reporting assets that provide real-time visibility into strategic progress.
• Synthesize complex financial and operational data into comprehensive performance reports for internal leadership and external stakeholders, highlighting trends, risks, and recommendations.
• Spearhead ad-hoc strategic projects that require collaboration with legal, product, and operations teams to safeguard and enhance the company's financial integrity.
• Perform competitive benchmarking of Plaid's operational efficiency and financial metrics against industry leaders to identify best practices and areas for improvement.
• Partner with talent leaders to support recruitment efforts for the Strategic Finance function, contributing to interview processes and candidate assessment.
• Translate ambiguous business problems into structured analytical inquiries, driving investigations that yield quantifiable insights and support data-backed conclusions.

Requirements

• Bring 2-3 years of professional experience from investment banking, private equity, venture capital, strategic finance, financial planning & analysis, or management consulting backgrounds.
• Demonstrate strong analytical capabilities, advanced financial modeling skills, exceptional problem-solving acumen, and the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly.
• Exhibit a proven capacity to collaborate effectively with diverse departments, simplifying intricate business challenges into structured, executable plans.
• Show a relentless drive for impact, taking full ownership of projects and outcomes while proactively identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Have familiarity with SQL or a strong, demonstrable desire to rapidly learn the language to manipulate data and drive analysis.
• Thrive in a fast-paced environment, balancing multiple priorities with precision and maintaining a high standard of accuracy under tight deadlines.
• Possess a bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience that provides a solid foundation for financial analysis and business acumen.
• Align with Plaid's mission and values, demonstrating integrity, curiosity, and a commitment to building tools that unlock internet commerce.

Nice to have

Experience with financial close processes and a background in fintech or technology sectors are viewed as advantageous.

Practical notes

This role is based in the New York City Office and operates on a full_time schedule. Plaid provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and a 401(k) plan. Compensation is determined by multiple factors, including role scope, individual candidate experience, and geographic location, and may include equity awards. Plaid is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to inclusion and diversity, and it offers reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities; individuals requiring such accommodations should contact accommodations@plaid.com for assistance.