Strategic FP&A Leader for Growth & Performance

Stax Engineering Inc; Santa Barbara (CA); On-site; USD 165,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mission-driven organization

Exposure to board-level financials

Cross-functional collaboration

Growth opportunities

Travel to sites and client locations

Job summary

STAX seeks a senior FP&A leader in Santa Barbara, CA, to oversee budgeting, forecasting, and performance analysis for a growing clean-tech maritime company. The Head of FP&A will develop financial models, guide capital allocation, and provide strategic insights partnering with the CFO and executives.

The role emphasizes independent judgment, GAAP knowledge, and a strong ability to translate complex data into actionable recommendations for cross-functional leaders and the board.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in FP&A or financial leadership roles.
• At least 4 years in FP&A or Controller roles with responsibility for financial systems, controls, reporting structures, and performance analysis.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, and variance analysis skills.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise discretion and independent judgment on significant financial matters.
• Ability to translate complex financial information into clear, actionable insights for executives, operational leaders, and non-finance teams.
• Experience influencing leadership decisions through financial analysis, business insight, and strategic recommendations.
• Strong understanding of GAAP, internal controls, financial reporting, and audit procedures.
• Experience designing or improving financial systems, controls, reporting structures, and performance management frameworks.
• Exceptional attention to detail and a strong commitment to financial accuracy, integrity, and consistency.
• Ability to independently evaluate financial results, identify risks, challenge assumptions, and recommend corrective actions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively across departments and levels of leadership.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other finance leaders, auditors, executives, and operational teams.
• Ability to operate effectively in a growing organization where priorities and business needs may evolve quickly.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field required.

Responsibilities

• Lead company-wide budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, and performance management processes.
• Develop and maintain financial models that support strategic planning, operational decisions, growth initiatives, and capital allocation.
• Analyze financial performance and provide meaningful variance analysis against budgets, forecasts, and business expectations.
• Determine the significance of financial variances, identify potential risks or performance concerns, and recommend appropriate corrective strategies.
• Exercise independent judgment when interpreting financial data and recommending actions related to profitability, cost control, financial performance, and business strategy.
• Lead high-level review of financial information to assess data integrity, materiality, risk exposure, and areas requiring corrective action.
• Review and challenge financial results to ensure they accurately reflect business performance and economic reality.
• Evaluate accounting treatment and financial outputs for consistency with financial and economic objectives.
• Own and continuously improve the company’s KPI reporting framework and measurement methodologies in partnership with leadership.
• Design and implement financial and operational reporting systems that provide leadership with timely and actionable information.
• Partner with department leaders to evaluate the financial impact of operational performance, initiatives, and business decisions.
• Provide financial insight and analytical support during monthly, quarterly, and annual close cycles.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of financial controls from both a financial and operational perspective.
• Prepare board-level financial presentations, performance narratives, reporting packages, and executive-level financial analysis.
• Review and interpret financial outputs to support executive and board-level decision-making.
• Provide financial analysis and business insight in support of audit processes while partnering with the Controller, auditors, and other finance leaders.
• Support long-term financial planning and help leadership evaluate risks, opportunities, and financial implications associated with STAX’s continued growth.

Skills

Budgeting

Forecasting

Financial modeling

Variance analysis

GAAP knowledge

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

NetSuite

Sage Intacct

Microsoft Dynamics

Oracle

SAP

Job description

STAX seeks a senior FP&A leader in Santa Barbara, CA, to oversee budgeting, forecasting, and performance analysis for a growing clean-tech maritime company. The Head of FP&A will develop financial models, guide capital allocation, and provide strategic insights partnering with the CFO and executives.

The role emphasizes independent judgment, GAAP knowledge, and a strong ability to translate complex data into actionable recommendations for cross-functional leaders and the board.