Quick overview
Job description
Head of Finance
About the Role
We're looking for a Head of Finance to build Shade's finance function as we rapidly scale. You'll own planning, modeling, reporting, and the financial systems behind them, and you'll be the person leadership turns to when a decision depends on the numbers. Today, our finances run on QuickBooks and spreadsheets that worked for an early-stage company. Your job is to turn that into a finance engine that keeps pace with our growth. This is a hands-on seat. You'll build the models yourself, set up the reporting cadence, and help with our next financing. You'll work directly with our CEO as his partner on everything finance. We expect this role to be in-office 4 days a week - we have a cool office in NYC!
Our Mission
Shade is scaling fast. In a year and a half, we've built the combined capabilities of Frame.io (acquired by Adobe for $1.275B) and LucidLink ($40M ARR) and paired them with proprietary AI search and labeling. We handle thousands of hours of video and tens of millions of requests every day, and we're critical infrastructure for post-production houses, creative agencies, sports teams, and in-house media teams at large companies. Customers include Meta, The New York Times, Grüns, HelloFresh, and Clay. We're growing 150% QoQ with 120% NRR.
Backed by Khosla Ventures, General Catalyst, Contrary, SignalFire, and Bling.
Responsibilities
Own the operating model, annual budget, and rolling forecast
Build scenario models for hiring plans, pricing, new market bets, and fundraising outcomes
Run monthly close, budget-vs-actuals, and board and investor reporting
Track and report core SaaS metrics: ARR, NRR, burn multiple, CAC payback, gross margin, and runway
Know what “good” looks like and can describe it - seen a growing business with good metrics, and operational changes relative to financial guidance.
Partner with Sales and RevOps on quotas, commissions, and deal desk; partner with Ops on payroll and spend controls
Set up the controls, policies, and processes a company of our size needs, without slowing the team down
Bring a financial lens to every major decision, push back when the numbers don't support a plan, and take real ownership of finance
What We're Looking For
6-8 years of experience in finance, including building finance systems at a Series B+ startup. You know what finance looks like when there’s no playbook and the company changes every quarter.
Ideally, you started your career in venture capital, investment banking, or consulting, and you know how investors read a company.
You're excellent in Excel (or Google Sheets), and you use AI tools like Claude to work faster. You build three-statement models, scenario analyses, and forecasts from scratch, and they hold up under scrutiny.
Ideally, you have a background in accounting. You’ve worked hands-on with an ERP or accounting system, QuickBooks included.
You understand SaaS metrics and can connect them to cash, runway, and valuation.
You're comfortable owning both the strategic work (fundraising, planning) and the details (close, reconciliations, vendor terms).
You communicate clearly with non-finance people and can turn a model into a one-page recommendation.
Low ego, high ownership, and comfortable building process where it doesn't exist yet.
You operate at a fast pace, can clearly articulate how you work, and are energized by sparring with a hands-on founder.
How We Work
Our team is flexible, moves quickly, and is always looking at new technologies and ideas that can speed up our work and improve our processes. We value people who take ownership, communicate proactively, and bring fresh ideas. You won't be handed a finished playbook. You'll write it.
How We Hire
We skip the standard pitch and 30-60-90 presentation. Our onsite is a working session: we'll share real context about where we are and work through live challenges together, and you'll meet the team. It's the closest thing to doing the job, and it lets you evaluate us as much as we evaluate you.
Compensation
$200,000-$250,000 base salary
Meaningful equity participation
Medical, dental & vision insurance
401k with % match
Unlimited PTO
Gym membership @ Lifetime