Strategic Finance & Operations Associate
Profound · San Francisco, CA
- On site
- Full-time
- $175,000 / year
- San Francisco, CA
Job highlights
- Drive strategic finance and operations at an AI company.
- Partner across departments for company-wide impact.
- Build financial infrastructure for international expansion.
- Develop financial models for growth and investment.
- Lead high-impact, ad hoc strategic projects.
About the role
About Profound
Profound is on a mission to help companies understand and control their AI presence. We are creating a new category at the intersection of AI, search, and brand visibility, helping brands measure and influence how they show up across ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, and beyond.We are hiring a Strategic Finance and Operations Associate as a high-impact, early finance hire to help build the financial backbone of one of the fastest-growing companies in AI. This is a true Swiss army knife role, hands-on, fast-moving, and high-visibility. You will partner with every team at Profound, and no two weeks will look the same.
The ideal candidate holds themselves to a high bar, moves quickly without sacrificing precision, and thrives when given ownership to lead work from start to finish.
What You’ll Do
- Drive strategic analyses that inform how we price, invest, and compete, translating complex data into clear recommendations for the business.
- Partner with Sales, RevOps, Marketing, and Engineering as the connective tissue between Finance and the rest of the company.
- Help build the financial infrastructure for a company expanding internationally.
- Build and maintain financial models that drive planning, investment decisions, and long-term growth.
- Take on high-impact ad hoc projects that do not fit neatly into a job description but provide outsized leverage to the business.
Who You Are
- 3 to 5 years of experience in strategic finance, FP&A, investment banking, management consulting, or a similarly rigorous analytical role, with high-growth SaaS experience strongly preferred.
- Technically sharp and able to turn ambiguous data into a narrative that drives strategic decision-making.
- Fluent in SaaS business models and able to connect metrics to the operating decisions that move them.
- Excellent written and verbal communicator who can make complex ideas land with any audience.
- High ownership and low ego, caring more about getting it right than getting credit.
- Naturally curious with a bias toward action, eager to dig in, figure it out, and move things forward without waiting to be asked.
Location
This is an on-site role based in our NYC or SF office, designed for builders who thrive on speed, iteration, and meaningful impact.Compensation
For this role, the expected base salary range is $115,000 to $175,000 (NYC and SF). Profound’s total compensation package is designed to be competitive and includes base salary, equity, and a full range of benefits and perks. Final compensation will depend on factors such as your skills, experience, qualifications, and location, and will be determined during the interview process. Our recruiting team will share more details about the full compensation package and benefits as you move through hiring.Key skills/competency
- Strategic Finance
- Operations
- Financial Modeling
- FP&A
- Investment Banking
- Management Consulting
- SaaS Business Models
- Data Analysis
- Strategic Decision-Making
- High-Growth Environments
Skills & topics
- Strategic Finance
- Operations Associate
- FP&A
- Financial Modeling
- SaaS Finance
- AI Industry
- Investment Banking
- Management Consulting
- Business Analysis
- Finance
How to get hired
- Research Profound's mission: Understand their AI focus and market position to tailor your application.
- Highlight relevant experience: Emphasize strategic finance, FP&A, or consulting in high-growth SaaS.
- Showcase analytical skills: Provide examples of turning data into actionable business recommendations.
- Demonstrate ownership and initiative: Detail projects you've led from start to finish with measurable outcomes.
- Prepare for strategic questions: Be ready to discuss SaaS metrics and complex financial scenarios.
Technical preparation
Master financial modeling techniques for SaaS.,Practice translating data into strategic recommendations.,Study AI and SaaS business metrics thoroughly.,Prepare to discuss complex financial scenarios.
Behavioral questions
Describe a time you led a project end-to-end.,How do you handle ambiguous data and drive decisions?,Give an example of strong ownership and initiative.,How do you simplify complex ideas for different audiences?
Frequently asked questions
- What are the key responsibilities for a Strategic Finance and Operations Associate at Profound?
- The Strategic Finance and Operations Associate will drive strategic analyses, partner with various departments, build financial infrastructure for international expansion, develop financial models, and lead high-impact ad hoc projects. This role is designed for someone who can translate complex data into clear recommendations and connect financial metrics to operating decisions.
- What experience is required to be considered for the Strategic Finance and Operations Associate role at Profound?
- Profound seeks candidates with 3 to 5 years of experience in strategic finance, FP&A, investment banking, management consulting, or a similar rigorous analytical role. High-growth SaaS experience is strongly preferred. Technical sharpness, fluency in SaaS business models, and strong communication skills are also essential.
- How does Profound handle compensation for the Strategic Finance and Operations Associate position?
- The expected base salary range for this role in NYC or SF is $115,000 to $175,000. Profound offers a competitive total compensation package that includes base salary, equity, and a comprehensive benefits package. The final offer will be determined by factors such as skills, experience, qualifications, and location.
- What is the work environment like at Profound for this role?
- This is an on-site role located in either NYC or SF. Profound fosters an environment for builders who thrive on speed, iteration, and meaningful impact. The role is described as hands-on, fast-moving, and high-visibility, requiring strong ownership and a bias toward action.
- Can a candidate apply if they don't have direct SaaS experience but have strong analytical skills?
- While high-growth SaaS experience is strongly preferred, a candidate with a strong background in strategic finance, FP&A, investment banking, or management consulting, coupled with excellent analytical and communication skills, might still be a strong contender. Demonstrating a clear understanding of SaaS business models and how to connect metrics to operating decisions would be crucial.
- What are the opportunities for growth within Profound for a Strategic Finance and Operations Associate?
- As an early finance hire in a fast-growing AI company, the Strategic Finance and Operations Associate role offers significant opportunities for impact and growth. The 'Swiss army knife' nature of the role and its high visibility across teams suggest potential for expanded responsibilities and leadership as the company scales.