Director of Finance

ABOUT LIGHTWORKS 

Lightworks is a global firm that integrates consequential technologies and bolsters mission-critical programs. Launched in the AI era, Lightworks is powered by people who have spent decades implementing net-new and highly iterative technologies at scale across banking, insurance, telecommunications, and public infrastructure. 

Our team brings deep engineering expertise and first-hand knowledge of how organizations operate, distribute change at scale, and manage risk. We specialize in control plane engineering, bolstering mission-critical programs, modernization, and scaling emergent technologies. 

THE ROLE 

We are hiring a hands-on Director of Finance to build and own Lightworks' finance function and operating systems and act as a strategic business partner as the firm scales.  You will oversee our global finance function (currently Canada, Australia and Singapore), partner closely with Lightworks' CEO office, and collaborate directly with our in-house AI and technology experts to help build an AI-enabled finance function from the ground up. 

This is a hands-on role that blends strategic finance and operational ownership. In addition to building out an AI-enabled finance team (supported by our engineering team), you will own all aspects of the finance function including month-end closes, board reporting, FP&A and regulatory compliance while working closely with the CEO office and gaining exposure to the systems, automation, and AI tooling that will define how Lightworks runs finance as it scales. This proximity to executive leadership is deliberate: it's a role designed to stretch quickly, with real opportunity to learn and grow as the company and the function mature. 

WHAT YOU WILL DO 

• Oversee and manage the financial accounting and reporting function, ensuring accurate, timely month end closes, preparation of consolidated financial statements - working with external bookkeeping providers to assist in each region 

• Own the company's FP&A function, including building and maintaining the financial model and forecast to provide scenario-ready models that give leadership a clear view of financial performance 

• Work in close partnership with the CEO office, acting as a key finance partner to the executive team on strategic and operational decisions 

• Support the CEO office with capital raises and other liquidity events, including managing the data room and responding to investor due diligence queries 

• Develop and track key performance indicators such as project profitability and utilization rates to provide operational insight 

• Coordinate regulatory compliance across jurisdictions; VAT/HST, corporate tax, Employer Health Tax (EHT), and other statutory filings; working with external advisors as needed 

• Manage accounts receivable, accounts payable, invoicing, and day-to-day cash operations and maintain a rolling cash flow forecast to provide forward visibility 

• Manage payroll processing and compliance for the Canadian team 

• Partner with in-house AI and technology experts to help build Lightworks' finance function as AI-enabled from the ground up 

• Build the finance function's systems, controls, and processes to institutional standards as Lightworks scales 

• Support cross-border, multi-entity finance operations, including transfer pricing and local compliance considerations across Australia, Singapore, and Canada 

WHAT YOU MUST BRING 

• CPA, CA designation required 

• 10+ years of progressive finance experience, including direct oversight of a controller or accounting team across multiple entities or jurisdictions 

• Genuine enthusiasm for AI and emerging technology in finance; comfortable partnering with technical experts to reimagine how a finance function operates 

• Strong learning agility and a genuine appetite for growth; you're energized by working closely with the CEO office, picking up new tools, systems, and responsibilities quickly as the role and company evolve 

• Previous experience working in a consulting organization and experience scaling the finance function alongside rapid organizational growth 

• Working knowledge of Canadian tax and regulatory compliance (VAT/HST, corporate tax, EHT); multi-jurisdiction exposure (Canada, Australia, Singapore) is a strong asset 

• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced startup environment while maintaining the rigour expected by large, regulated enterprise clients in banking, insurance, and telco 

• Proactive, can-do mindset and attitude, and strong orientation to solving problems and helping others 

• Strong communication skills; able to work directly with leadership and translate financial detail into clear, actionable guidance 

WHAT WE OFFER 

• Base salary, performance bonus, and equity participation reflective of a senior finance leadership role in a high-growth, AI-enabled technology firm 

• Full benefits package 

• High-visibility, ongoing collaboration with the CEO office, with significant opportunity to learn, grow, and take on broader finance leadership scope as the company scales 

• Direct exposure to and partnership with in-house AI and technology experts, with a mandate to shape what an AI-enabled finance function looks like from the ground up 

• Exposure to some of Canada's largest and most regulated enterprise clients across banking, insurance, and telecommunications