Finance Manager - Strategic Finance and FP&A

Penguin Ai: We're Not Just Building AI, We're Revolutionizing Healthcare! Want to Be Our Finance Manager? Who We Are: The Penguin Ai Rebellion! We’re not your average AI company - and we don’t want average teammates. Penguin Ai was founded by healthcare veterans who knew the system needed more than hype and half-baked algorithms. We built an AI platform that actually works in healthcare - across Prior Auth, HCC Coding, and all those soul-crushing workflows no one brags about. Our platform is fast to implement (think: 60 days), reduces administrative costs up to 40%, and makes payers look like heroes without writing a line of code. This is AI for the real world of healthcare. And just to put a fine point on it: powerhouses like Snowflake and AWS don't just partner with anyone. Their trust in our platform speaks volumes about our robust, scalable, and secure technology. Our audacious vision was first ignited by our CEO Fawad Butt , whose leadership as Chief Data Officer at both Optum and Kaiser Permanente gave him oversight of healthcare data representing nearly 75% of American lives . So, he didn't just see the problem; he lived it. Fawad understood that healthcare AI couldn't be a bandage - it had to be a purpose-built, battle-ready solution , meticulously crafted for the intricate, human-first world of medicine, not some hastily retrofitted industry software. So with Fawad, who else is steering this iceberg? A dream team boasting over 150 years of combined, hard-won healthcare experience! We're talking about heavy hitters like Kishore, Nate, Niki and Terry… who all bring different successes & expertise from AI & healthcare. These aren't just impressive resumes; they're the architects and masterminds behind a platform that doesn't just process data – it genuinely understands healthcare's pulse. We're growing faster than a penguin on a waterslide and we’re a lways on the hunt for customer-obsessed problem-solvers to help our clients unlock the full potential of their AI investments. This isn’t some futuristic sci-fi movie set, this is AI for the real, gritty, essential world of healthcare where speed & data matter. Your Epic Quest as Our Finance Manager - Strategic and FP&A You’ll own and lead Penguin’s financial strategy - the models, budgets, and board-ready insight that keep us financially healthy and investor-ready. This is a hands-on, high-ownership role: you’ll build and own the financial model and forecasting, lead annual budget development and ongoing budget management, drive board reporting, own headcount planning, and shape growth and pricing decisions. You’ll manage our external accounting firm and act as the reviewer of their monthly close - not the preparer of entries. You’ll be a trusted strategic partner to leadership, shaping the financial roadmap that fuels rapid, disciplined growth. What Success Looks Like: Month 1-3: Take ownership of the financial model and rolling forecast, review the month-end close delivered by our external accountants, and stand-up cash/burn reporting with proactive insight to leadership Month 3-6: Lead the annual budget process and ongoing budget management; identify variances, drivers, and actionable recommendations that shape decisions Month 6-12: Drive the board reporting cadence end-to-end, own headcount planning and growth/pricing analysis, and lead fundraising/due diligence support while managing the external accounting and tax relationships Your Day-to-Day Superpowers: What You’ll Actually Do: Own and continuously improve the company financial model and rolling forecasts; track actuals vs. budget and proactively surface variances, drivers, and recommendations to leadership Lead annual budget development and own ongoing budget management; partner directly with functional leads to translate operational plans into numbers Own headcount planning and workforce cost modelling; partner with leadership on hiring pace, role prioritization, and org design trade-offs Lead preparation of monthly and quarterly board reporting materials, including KPI dashboards, financial summaries, and narrative insight on trends Partner with leadership on growth and pricing decisions, building the analysis that informs go-to-market and revenue strategy Manage the relationship with our external accounting firm: review the monthly close, reconciliations, and journal entries for accuracy and completeness - you’re the reviewer, not the preparer Own cash flow and runway management; produce and present weekly and monthly burn and cash position reports to leadership, recommending action Oversee accounts payable, receivable, and expense/corporate card programs (Ramp, Brex, or equivalent) managed day-to-day by the external accounting team; set and enforce policy Oversee payroll processing and benefits reconciliation in coordination with HR/PEO; ensure payroll accuracy and compliance Lead fundraising and diligence support: prepare financial reporting, build exhibits, and respond directly to investor questions; own state and local tax filings and serve as the primary point of contact for external tax advisors What We're Looking For: Your Finance Arsenal! 5-7 years of relevant experience in FP&A, financial planning, or finance operations at startups or growth-stage companies, with a proven track record in financial modelling and budget ownership Advanced financial modelling and forecasting skills; track record of building and owning dynamic models from scratch Demonstrated experience owning the annual budget process and ongoing budget management, including headcount planning and workforce cost modelling Experience building board-grade reporting and translating financial data into strategic recommendations on growth, pricing, and resource allocation Experience managing and reviewing the work of external accounting firms or bookkeepers - comfortable as the reviewer and quality check on close, reconciliations, and journal entries, not the preparer Demonstrated cash-management experience, including ownership of burn/runway reporting and recommendations to leadership Advanced proficiency in Excel (complex modelling), Google Sheets, and modern finance tools; experience with NetSuite, QuickBooks, Carta, or similar systems Excellent communication and presentation skills: able to build board-grade materials and confidently explain financial drivers to non-finance leaders and investors Strong ownership mindset, sound judgment under ambiguity, and the ability to operate independently in a fast-moving startup environment Bonus Points: Your Secret Weapons! You’ve not just survived but led through the beautiful chaos of a high-growth startup Experience at an early‑stage SaaS or healthcare tech company Direct experience leading fundraising rounds and investor diligence Hands-on experience owning NetSuite or a comparable ERP implementation Familiarity with GAAP accounting practices - enough to review and challenge your external accountant’s work - and startup equity mechanics. The Culture Fit: Join Our Colony! You'll waddle with us if: You like your coffee with a side of delightful chaos You're fuelled by complexity and obsessed with delivering amazing results You want to deliver something that fundamentally matters, transforms healthcare and ultimately saves lives Education & Qualifications: Brainiac Basics A Bachelor's degree in finance / accounting or a related field; CPA or equivalent a plus Comp & Perks: Because Even Superheroes Need Support! Competitive salary: We reward greatness! Medical, vision, and dental coverage: Keep you healthy and smiling Generous vacation policy and company holidays: Recharge and conquer! A front-row seat in one of healthcare's most exciting AI companies – witness history in the making