Strategic Finance

For companies building financial technology and transforming the financial services space, the biggest bottleneck to their growth and innovation is often the underlying banks and infrastructure stack they rely on. We have spent our careers founding and scaling companies like Plaid, Square, SoFi, Blend, and Affirm, and have seen this problem firsthand — builders and developers needing to partner with traditional banks, and creating API and abstraction layers over the patchwork that is the bank, its core, and many other vendors. All of this results in a complex (and often expensive) banking supply chain involving a user, fintech, BaaS middleware provider, bank, core and the Federal Reserve.

At Column, we set out to simplify and fix this. We are a bank and a software company built from the ground up, offering builders and developers technology-forward banking solutions that cut out the hundreds of vendors, middleware providers, and abstraction layers. This means a safer, more transparent, and less costly banking supply chain. Come build with us!

Column is seeking its first Strategic Finance hire. This is not a typical corporate finance role. In addition to managing annual planning and key financial analyses (corporate, product, GTM, etc), you will have unique opportunities to get outside of Excel and be on the front lines of company building. You may be one of the first names called on to lead special projects such as new markets exploration, cross functional tool deployments, internal process improvements, etc. Individuals in this role are expected to be high agency, excellent communicators, and possess strong technical finance skills. This role reports to the COO and is an in-person role, where you’ll be expected to work out of our San Francisco Presidio-based office 3+ days a week.

• Prepare and deliver monthly financial reporting packages for internal leadership and external stakeholders.

• Own the company’s operating model and lead the annual financial planning process.

• Conduct ad hoc financial analyses to support strategic initiatives and executive decision-making.

• Lead procurement efforts and negotiate with critical vendors to optimize spend.

• Manage and execute cross-functional operational initiatives (e.g., GTM reporting improvements, deal desk development).

• Drive market and product expansion analyses and strategy.

• Research, test, and implement AI and automation tools to improve Finance organization and broader company efficiency.

• Own other high-priority, cross-functional projects that align with company strategy but are lacking a clear owner.

• Perform day-to-day activities consistent with safe and sound business practices and regulatory requirements.

• 5-9 years of experience, including a tour of duty in strategic finance, private equity, investment banking, or a similarly technical and fast-paced role.

• Experience at high-growth startup and/or working in financial services industry a plus.

• Advanced proficiency in financial modeling, forecasting, and complex data analysis.

• Strong ability to operate independently and thrive in ambiguous, fast-moving environments.

• Strong project leadership experience driving high-stakes, cross-functional initiatives from strategy through execution.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills; able to synthesize and convey complex financial insights to diverse audiences.

• A never settle, high ownership mindset.

•  Comprehensive health, dental, and vision plans, including options that are 100% covered by Column for you and 100% covered for your dependents!

•  Comprehensive family planning and fertility benefits via partnership with Carrot, including reimbursement of up to $20,000 in qualified expenses

•  FSA and HSA account options to enable use of pre-tax money for medical and dependent care expenses

•  401k plan, including self-directed brokerage options

•  Flexible time-off policy - take the time off that you want and need to relax and recharge

•  100% paid parental leave, including 16 weeks for birth mothers, 12 weeks for primary caregivers, and 8 weeks for secondary caregivers

• ️ Catered lunches and dinners for SF employees

•  Commuter benefits

•  Regular team building events, including annual offsite

Compensation packages at Column include base salary, equity, and benefits. New hire offers are made based on a candidate's experience, expertise, geographic location, and internal pay equity relative to peers.

The annual base salary range for this position is $200,000 - $250,000 + equity.

Column is committed to working with the best and brightest people from the broadest talent pool possible. We value bringing together a team with different perspectives, educational backgrounds, and life experiences, and believe a diversity of ideas is what allows us to develop the best solutions. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.

If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation during the application and recruiting process, please reach out to [email protected].

We participate in the E-Verify program in certain locations as required by law. Learn more about the E-Verify program here.