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Head of Finance - US

Remote

About Phaidra

Phaidra is building the future of industrial automation.

The world today is filled with static, monolithic infrastructure. Factories, power plants, buildings, etc. operate the same they've operated for decades — because the controls programming is hard-coded. Thousands of lines of rules and heuristics that define how the machines interact with each other. The result of all this hard-coding is that facilities are frozen in time, unable to adapt to their environment while their performance slowly degrades.

Phaidra creates AI-powered control systems for the industrial sector, enabling industrial facilities to automatically learn and improve over time. Specifically:

  • We use reinforcement learning algorithms to provide this intelligence, converting raw sensor data into high-value actions and decisions.
  • We focus on industrial applications, which tend to be well-sensorized with measurable KPIs — perfect for reinforcement learning.
  • We enable domain experts (our users) to configure the AI control systems (i.e. agents) without writing code. They define what they want their AI agents to do, and we do it for them.

Our team has a track record of applying AI to some of the toughest problems. From achieving superhuman performance with DeepMind's AlphaGo, to reducing the energy required to cool Google's Data Centers by 40%, we deeply understand AI and how to apply it in production for massive impact.

Phaidra’s ability to achieve its mission is determined by our ability to work together — as defined by our core values: Transparency, Collaboration, Operational Excellence, Ownership, and Empathy. We seek individuals who embody these values, as they are instrumental in ensuring our team consistently delivers excellence and fosters an engaging and supportive culture

Phaidra is based in the USA but 100% remote; we do not have a physical office. We hire employees internationally with the help of our partner, OysterHR. Our team is currently located throughout the USA, Canada, UK, Norway, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, Singapore, and India.

About Phaidra

Phaidra is building the future of industrial automation.

The world today is filled with static, monolithic infrastructure. Factories, power plants, buildings, etc. operate the same they've operated for decades — because the controls programming is hard-coded. Thousands of lines of rules and heuristics that define how the machines interact with each other. The result of all this hard-coding is that facilities are frozen in time, unable to adapt to their environment while their performance slowly degrades.

Phaidra creates AI-powered control systems for the industrial sector, enabling industrial facilities to automatically learn and improve over time. Specifically:

We use reinforcement learning algorithms to provide this intelligence, converting raw sensor data into high-value actions and decisions.

  • We focus on industrial applications, which tend to be well-sensorized with measurable KPIs — perfect for reinforcement learning.
  • We enable domain experts (our users) to configure the AI control systems (i.e. agents) without writing code. They define what they want their AI agents to do, and we do it for them.
  • Our team has a track record of applying AI to some of the toughest problems. From achieving superhuman performance with DeepMind's AlphaGo, to reducing the energy required to cool Google's Data Centers by 40%, we deeply understand AI and how to apply it in production for massive impact.

Phaidra is based in the USA but 100% remote; we do not have a physical office. We hire employees internationally with the help of our partner, OysterHR. Our team is currently located throughout the USA, Canada, UK, Norway, Netherlands, Italy, Portugal, and India.

Who You Are

You’re a dynamic finance leader with deep experience in the tech and startup worlds. You know how to steer the financial ship of a high-growth, international company, navigating complexities with confidence and foresight. You’re not just about numbers—you thrive on creating financial strategies that fuel growth and drive impact.

Your knack for turning data into actionable insights, combined with your expertise in managing global operations, makes you an invaluable partner to the leadership team. As a collaborative and strategic thinker, you bring clarity to the chaos of scaling and keep a steady hand in fast-paced environments. Above all, your integrity, leadership, and big-picture perspective set you apart as someone ready to shape Phaidra’s next chapter.

We are seeking a team member in the US for this role. 

Responsibilities

  • Strategic Financial Leadership: Develop and execute Phaidra’s financial strategy, aligning with our long-term business goals.
  • Budgeting and Forecasting: Oversee financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting, ensuring data-driven decision-making.
  • Global Financial Operations: Manage global financial operations, including accounting, tax compliance, and international payroll.
  • Fundraising and Investor Relations: Partner with the leadership team on fundraising initiatives and maintain relationships with investors.
  • Cost Management: Identify and implement strategies to optimize costs and improve operational efficiency.
  • Compliance and Reporting: Ensure compliance with local and international financial regulations, and prepare accurate financial statements, reports as well as for Board meetings, investors, lenders, etc.
  • Team Leadership: Build and lead a high-performing finance team to support Phaidra’s scaling efforts.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Act as a strategic partner to other departments, providing financial insights to support product development, hiring, and operational planning.

Qualifications

  • 10+ years of progressive financial management experience, with a focus on the technology and startup sectors.
  • Proven track record in financial planning, fundraising, and managing global financial operations.
  • Strong understanding of SaaS business models, subscription-based revenue, and cost management.
  • Expertise in accounting principles, tax compliance, and financial reporting.
  • Experience with international payroll and multi-jurisdictional financial operations.
  • Strategic thinker with excellent analytical skills and attention to detail.
  • Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across teams and levels.
  • Advanced proficiency with financial tools and systems.

 

Onboarding Timeline

In Your First 30 Days

  • Gain a deep understanding of Phaidra’s business model, market, and financial processes.
  • Meet the leadership team and key stakeholders, building relationships across the company.
  • Review current financial systems, identifying opportunities for improvement.

By Your First 60 Days

  • Collaborate with department heads to align financial planning with company goals.
  • Develop a strategic roadmap for financial processes, reporting, and compliance.
  • Begin working on the 12-month budget and forecasting models.

By Your First 90 Days

  • Fully implement the financial roadmap, focusing on operational efficiency and scalability.
  • Present the first strategic financial analysis to the leadership team.
  • Establish a foundation for fundraising, partnering closely with the CEO.

Base Salary

  • United States Residents: $175,000 - $240,000

This position will also include equity.

These are best faith estimates of the base salary range for this position. Multiple factors such as experience, education, level, and location are taken into account when determining compensation.

 

Benefits & Perks

  • Fast-paced and team-oriented environment where you will be instrumental in the direction of the company.
  • Phaidra is a 100% remote company with a digital nomad policy.
  • Competitive compensation & equity.
  • Outsized responsibilities & professional development.
  • Training is foundational; functional, customer immersion, and development training.
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance (exact benefits vary by region).
  • Unlimited paid time off, with a minimum of 20 days off per year requirement.
  • Paid parental leave (exact benefits vary by region).
  • Home office setup allowance, coworking space stipend, and company MacBook.

*Please note that Phaidra’s benefits and perks listed above do not apply to temporary employees such as interns.

On being Remote

We are thoughtful about remote collaboration. We look to the pioneers - like Gitlab - for inspiration and best practices to create a stellar remote work environment. We have a documentation-first culture and actively practice asynchronous communication in everything we do. Our team stays connected through tools like Slack and video chat. Most teams meet daily, and we have dedicated all-hands meetings weekly to build strong relationships. We hold virtual team building events once per quarter - and even hold virtual socials to watch rocket launches! We have had all-company summits in locations like Seattle, Athens, Goa, and Barcelona.

Equal Opportunity Employment

Phaidra is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Phaidra is governed on the basis of merit, competence, and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability, or any other legally protected status. We welcome diversity and strive to maintain an inclusive environment for all employees. If you need assistance with completing the application process, please contact us at hiring@phaidra.ai.

E-Verify Notice

Phaidra participates in E-Verify, an employment authorization database provided through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Social Security Administration (SSA). As required by law, we will provide the SSA and, if necessary, the DHS, with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization for those residing in the United States.

Additional information about E-Verify can be found here.

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