Director of Finance

Whalar$125K — $150K *
Finance & Insurance
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 7+ years of progressive finance experience.
  • Proficient in budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
  • Strong accounting knowledge with financial modeling skills.
  • Direct experience with executive-level partnerships (founders, CEOs).
  • Ability to turn complex data into actionable insights.
  • Experience improving finance processes in a growing business.
  • Advanced Excel or Google Sheets proficiency.
  • CPA, MBA, or equivalent experience preferred.
  • Passion for creativity and community impact.
  • Collaborative and humble approach.

Responsibilities

  • Lead financial planning activities such as budgeting and forecasting.
  • Build comprehensive financial models for various scenarios.
  • Deliver insightful reporting to support data-driven decisions.
  • Manage investment analysis, pricing strategy, and long-term planning.
  • Oversee daily financial operations including monthly close processes.
  • Enhance financial controls and improve operational efficiency.
  • Collaborate with other leaders to boost profitability and performance.
  • Develop financial cases for new products and strategic partnerships.
  • Create scalable finance processes for a high-growth environment.
  • Act as a trusted advisor to the CEO and leadership team.

Benefits

  • Medical, Dental, Vision coverage.
  • Generous PTO, Sick Time, and Paid Holidays.
  • HSA, FSA, and Commuter Benefits available.
  • Company-paid Life & Disability Insurance.
  • Voluntary Life, Hospital, and Critical Illness Insurance options.
  • Employee Assistance Program support.
  • 401k with Employer Matching and no vesting period.
  • Monthly Work from Home Stipend.
  • Yearly Professional Development Stipend.
Full Job Description
Job Title: Director of Finance

Location: Brooklyn, NY or Venice, CA

About the role:

The Lighthouse is looking for a strategic and commercially-minded Director of Finance to help shape the future of one of the creator economy's most exciting businesses.

Reporting directly to the CEO, you'll be far more than the person who owns the numbers. You'll serve as a trusted business partner, leading accounting, financial planning, commercial finance, and financial operations while helping leadership make smarter, faster decisions.

From evaluating new revenue opportunities and investment decisions to building the financial infrastructure that supports our next stage of growth, you'll play a critical role in how we scale. If you enjoy building businesses-not just reporting on them-this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact.
Here's what you'll do day-to-day:
  • Lead all aspects of financial planning, including budgeting, forecasting, annual planning, and monthly business reviews.
  • Build financial models across revenue, cash flow, headcount, operating expenses, pricing, and growth scenarios.
  • Deliver insightful reporting and dashboards that help leadership make confident, data-driven decisions.
  • Lead scenario planning, investment analysis, pricing strategy, ROI modelling, and long-term financial planning.
  • Own the monthly close process, financial reporting, reconciliations, cash management, and day-to-day financial operations.
  • Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll coordination, expense management, and vendor payments.
  • Strengthen financial controls, accounting processes, and compliance while continuously improving operational efficiency.
  • Partner with external accountants, auditors, banks, tax advisors, and payroll providers.
  • Work alongside leaders across memberships, hospitality, events, partnerships, sponsorships, and emerging revenue streams to improve profitability and commercial performance.
  • Develop financial business cases for new products, strategic partnerships, and investment opportunities.
  • Build scalable finance processes, reporting infrastructure, and systems that support a high-growth business.
  • Act as a trusted advisor to the CEO and leadership team, balancing financial discipline with entrepreneurial thinking and helping guide strategic decisions.
Here's what we're looking for:
  • 7+ years of progressive experience across finance, FP&A, accounting, commercial finance, or strategic finance.
  • Experience leading budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, cash management, and long-term financial planning.
  • Strong accounting knowledge alongside exceptional financial modelling and analytical skills.
  • Experience partnering directly with founders, CEOs, or senior executives to influence business strategy.
  • A commercial mindset with the ability to translate complex financial data into practical business recommendations.
  • Experience improving finance systems, processes, and reporting within a growing or entrepreneurial business.
  • Confidence operating in both strategic and hands-on environments-you enjoy building as much as managing.
  • Advanced Excel or Google Sheets skills, along with experience using modern finance and reporting systems.
  • CPA, MBA, or equivalent experience is a plus.
  • A genuine passion for creativity, community, and helping build businesses that have meaningful cultural impact.
  • A collaborative, humble approach and a belief that great businesses are built by great people working together.
The Perks:

The Lighthouse provides flexible benefits and collaborative work environments and experiences so employees can work productively in a setting that best and uniquely suits their needs:
  • Medical, Dental, Vision
  • PTO + Sick Time + Paid Holidays
  • HSA, FSA, and Commuter + Parking Benefits
  • Company Paid Life & Disability Insurance
  • Voluntary Life Insurance Policy
  • Voluntary Hospital and Critical Illness Insurance
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • 401k with Employer Matching. No Vesting Period.
  • Monthly Work from Home Stipend
  • Yearly Professional Development Stipend

About Whalar

Whalar is a marketing services company that connects brands with social media influencers. The company uses a proprietary platform to match brands with influencers who have a large following on social media. Whalar also provides creative services to help brands develop content that resonates with their target audience. The company was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in London, England.
Learn more about Whalar
Size
50 employees
Industry
Founded
2016

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