Planning Center
Head of Finance
Planning Center, Carlsbad, California, United States, 92002
About Planning Center
Planning Center, established in 2006, has grown to support over 80,000 churches worldwide. As an independent company, we pride ourselves on being debt-free with no outside investors. Churches use our tools to communicate and connect with their congregations, organize information, and coordinate events. We're committed to building great products that solve real problems using web and mobile products.
Our team enjoys the flexibility of remote work, utilizing tools like Asana, Slack, Notion, and Zoom for collaboration. We gather quarterly at our main office in Carlsbad, CA, fostering our work relationships.
About the Work
We are seeking a strategic and hands-on Head of Finance to join our leadership team, reporting to the CEO.
As our first dedicated Head of Finance, you will have the unique opportunity to build the financial infrastructure and processes for a scaling SaaS business.
You will lead all financial planning, reporting, and analysis, while developing the systems, tools, and team needed to support sustainable growth for years to come.
The Head of Finance is responsible for overseeing all fiscal and fiduciary responsibilities for Planning Center in conjunction with the finance, and accounting teams. As a member of the senior leadership team, you will serve as a key advisor, evaluating and collaborating with the CEO and other senior leaders on matters of strategic and operational planning, financial modeling, organizational change, business decision making and overall leadership of the company.
Responsibilities
Strategic Financial Planning
Lead financial modeling, annual planning, and scenario analysis to support business strategy. Develop and maintain department monthly operating budgets, ensuring alignment with company budget and goals Utilize forward-looking models and activity-based analyses to provide financial insight into the organization's plans and operating budgets. Act as a strategic advisor to the CEO and leadership team, providing insights into financial data to support long-term decision-making, including evaluating and executing potential M&A opportunities. Build Financial Infrastructure
Design and implement financial processes, policies, and controls to support growth. Develop systems for financial reporting, monthly budgeting, and forecasting. Evaluate and deploy financial software tools to improve efficiency (ERP, FP&A, etc.). Financial Reporting & Compliance
Prepare timely and accurate financial reports on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis. Track actuals vs. budgets, identify variances, and provide actionable insights to leadership. Establish internal controls and ensure compliance with GAAP and relevant federal, state, and local financial regulations, specifically state sales tax, and staying current on changes while enforcing adherence. Create and monitor dashboards for key SaaS metrics (e.g., MRR, net/gross retention, CAC, LTV) with regular updates to stakeholders. Cash Flow & Capital Management
Oversee cash flow forecasting and manage working capital needs. Lead capital allocation strategies as needed. Develop and maintain relationships with banks and financial institutions to support future potential financing options and growth initiatives. Leadership & Team Development
Recruit, develop, and lead a high-performing team of finance and accounting professionals, ensuring the right mix of skills for growth and scalability. Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and collaboration within the finance function. Act as a strategic advisor to the CEO and senior leadership team, providing financial insights and recommendations to drive business decisions. Operational Efficiency
Analyze key metrics to drive insights on profitability, growth, and operational efficiency. Support pricing strategy, contract negotiations, and cost optimization. Assist with product pricing analysis, assessing the financial impact of new product launches and changes in pricing structures. Business Partnering
Collaborate with department heads to align financial budgets and goals with operational strategies. Provide data-driven insights to influence business decisions and company performance. Deliver insightful financial reports to guide business leaders on the financial operations of the company and to identify underperforming areas and potential cost efficiencies. We want someone available to work in our Carlsbad office every Thursday (relocation support is offered). We will also consider exceptional remote applicants who can commit to visiting the office 6 days per month (2 x 3-day trips) to attend leadership meetings, quarterly company events and collaborate with the team to foster connection and alignment
Who We Look For
You bring 10+ years of experience in SaaS finance, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership role.
Beyond your impressive background, you are:
Scaling Expert
: Proven experience guiding finance functions in growing tech SaaS companies, ideally between $50M-$100M ARR. Builder of Systems
: Demonstrated ability to build financial infrastructure from the ground up, establishing processes, controls, and tools for scalability. Strategic & Operational
: Adept at building and linking financial model KPIs to operational execution, driving accountability across the organization. Clear Communicator
: Confident in presenting financial strategies and plans to stakeholders, answering tough questions, and serving as a trusted advisor-independent of the CEO. Tech-Savvy Innovator
: Skilled at leveraging technology to automate and integrate financial systems, enhancing reporting accuracy and operational efficiency. Culture-Driven Leader
: A strong fit in culture, competency, and confidence, embodying integrity, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence. The best fits for any role on the Planning Center team are people embodying our
Core Values:
Engage with Humility -
We actively participate with openness and receptiveness. We are ready to listen, learn, and speak thoughtfully and kindly-regardless of skill level, expertise, or place on the org chart. Invest in our team -
We give our time and energy to our team's success-improving collaboration with effective communication, making space for diverse perspectives, sharing knowledge, and asking questions. Do Our Best Work -
We aspire to do our best possible work-continually looking for ways to improve the quality of our individual output and contribute to our team's overall success and growth. Focus on Customer Impact -
We advocate for our customer's best interests in our decision-making-we can trace the goal of every project back to creating positive value for our customers. Think Holistically, Work Iteratively -
We focus on taking practical steps towards our goals with an awareness of the broader context-thinking big, working small. We believe the strongest teams comprise people with diverse backgrounds and experiences, and we are committed to cultivating that diversity here at Planning Center. We're building an inclusive, supportive place for you to do your best work.
Education
Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field. CPA or MBA is a plus.
The Hiring Process
During the hiring process, you'll have a chance to interact with several members of our team. We strongly encourage you to bring any questions to anybody you interact with. You're interviewing us as much as we're interviewing you.
For equitable reasons, we typically provide candidates with a timeline for hiring, so they can plan accordingly and determine early on in the process whether or not they can afford to wait on us; however, this particular round will stay open until the position is filled. Should you be offered a position here, the hiring team will discuss a start date that fits your schedule.
Below is an outline of the steps in our hiring process.
Step one
: Apply with a resume, cover letter, and portfolio. Your cover letter should speak directly to your interest in this position. We want to know what got you into your field of work, how your experience has set you up for success in this role, and why you want to join our team. Applicants that do not submit a cover letter will not be considered.
(A word of caution for those using AI cover letters: When compared to the hundreds of other candidates who did the exact same thing, it becomes painfully obvious who took the AI first draft. If you're going to use these tools, we ask that you use them well. Please give our recruiter something a bit more human to read.) Step two
: Initial phone call with our Talent Acquisition Specialist so we can get to know one another Step three
: A series of interviews over Zoom with several different people from our Leadership Team and Finance Team. Step four
: We'll provide you with a take-home project to mine insights into how you work through tricky situations and use your past experience to address issues. (Please note that any materials, projects, or ideas submitted as part of this application process will remain the intellectual property of the applicant. These submissions are provided solely for evaluation purposes and will not be used, implemented, or shared by Planning Center without explicit written consent from the applicant.) Step five
: Final Interview with our CEO Step six
: Pending all goes well, we'll extend an offer
Requirements
Reside in the United States Eligible to work in the United States (we are currently
unable
to offer employment to those with H-1B visas) Be willing to travel four times each year to connect with the rest of the team (not during a pandemic)
Benefits
We love our team. It's one of the core pillars we work off of every day, which is why we take care of you as best we can. Here are a few highlights, but you can find all our benefits here.
Get paid:
We pay competitive rates no matter where you live, contribute to your 401k, provide a charitable giving match of up to $2,000 a year, have a generous allowance for continued education, and offer a co-working stipend. The annual salary range for this position is $150,000 - $250,000.
Be healthy:
Generous paid sick time and vacation time, $200 a month for physical fitness and mental health, 95% medical & 100% dental premium health coverage.
Get out:
Paid Fridays off in the summer, every other Friday off the rest of the year, a month-long sabbatical every five years, one week off between Christmas & New Year, one week off a year to serve with a globally-focused non-profit, and two weeks paid vacation a year increasing to three over time.
The pay range for this role is:
150,000 - 250,000 USD per year (Carlsbad, CA)
Planning Center, established in 2006, has grown to support over 80,000 churches worldwide. As an independent company, we pride ourselves on being debt-free with no outside investors. Churches use our tools to communicate and connect with their congregations, organize information, and coordinate events. We're committed to building great products that solve real problems using web and mobile products.
Our team enjoys the flexibility of remote work, utilizing tools like Asana, Slack, Notion, and Zoom for collaboration. We gather quarterly at our main office in Carlsbad, CA, fostering our work relationships.
About the Work
We are seeking a strategic and hands-on Head of Finance to join our leadership team, reporting to the CEO.
As our first dedicated Head of Finance, you will have the unique opportunity to build the financial infrastructure and processes for a scaling SaaS business.
You will lead all financial planning, reporting, and analysis, while developing the systems, tools, and team needed to support sustainable growth for years to come.
The Head of Finance is responsible for overseeing all fiscal and fiduciary responsibilities for Planning Center in conjunction with the finance, and accounting teams. As a member of the senior leadership team, you will serve as a key advisor, evaluating and collaborating with the CEO and other senior leaders on matters of strategic and operational planning, financial modeling, organizational change, business decision making and overall leadership of the company.
Responsibilities
Strategic Financial Planning
Lead financial modeling, annual planning, and scenario analysis to support business strategy. Develop and maintain department monthly operating budgets, ensuring alignment with company budget and goals Utilize forward-looking models and activity-based analyses to provide financial insight into the organization's plans and operating budgets. Act as a strategic advisor to the CEO and leadership team, providing insights into financial data to support long-term decision-making, including evaluating and executing potential M&A opportunities. Build Financial Infrastructure
Design and implement financial processes, policies, and controls to support growth. Develop systems for financial reporting, monthly budgeting, and forecasting. Evaluate and deploy financial software tools to improve efficiency (ERP, FP&A, etc.). Financial Reporting & Compliance
Prepare timely and accurate financial reports on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis. Track actuals vs. budgets, identify variances, and provide actionable insights to leadership. Establish internal controls and ensure compliance with GAAP and relevant federal, state, and local financial regulations, specifically state sales tax, and staying current on changes while enforcing adherence. Create and monitor dashboards for key SaaS metrics (e.g., MRR, net/gross retention, CAC, LTV) with regular updates to stakeholders. Cash Flow & Capital Management
Oversee cash flow forecasting and manage working capital needs. Lead capital allocation strategies as needed. Develop and maintain relationships with banks and financial institutions to support future potential financing options and growth initiatives. Leadership & Team Development
Recruit, develop, and lead a high-performing team of finance and accounting professionals, ensuring the right mix of skills for growth and scalability. Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and collaboration within the finance function. Act as a strategic advisor to the CEO and senior leadership team, providing financial insights and recommendations to drive business decisions. Operational Efficiency
Analyze key metrics to drive insights on profitability, growth, and operational efficiency. Support pricing strategy, contract negotiations, and cost optimization. Assist with product pricing analysis, assessing the financial impact of new product launches and changes in pricing structures. Business Partnering
Collaborate with department heads to align financial budgets and goals with operational strategies. Provide data-driven insights to influence business decisions and company performance. Deliver insightful financial reports to guide business leaders on the financial operations of the company and to identify underperforming areas and potential cost efficiencies. We want someone available to work in our Carlsbad office every Thursday (relocation support is offered). We will also consider exceptional remote applicants who can commit to visiting the office 6 days per month (2 x 3-day trips) to attend leadership meetings, quarterly company events and collaborate with the team to foster connection and alignment
Who We Look For
You bring 10+ years of experience in SaaS finance, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership role.
Beyond your impressive background, you are:
Scaling Expert
: Proven experience guiding finance functions in growing tech SaaS companies, ideally between $50M-$100M ARR. Builder of Systems
: Demonstrated ability to build financial infrastructure from the ground up, establishing processes, controls, and tools for scalability. Strategic & Operational
: Adept at building and linking financial model KPIs to operational execution, driving accountability across the organization. Clear Communicator
: Confident in presenting financial strategies and plans to stakeholders, answering tough questions, and serving as a trusted advisor-independent of the CEO. Tech-Savvy Innovator
: Skilled at leveraging technology to automate and integrate financial systems, enhancing reporting accuracy and operational efficiency. Culture-Driven Leader
: A strong fit in culture, competency, and confidence, embodying integrity, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence. The best fits for any role on the Planning Center team are people embodying our
Core Values:
Engage with Humility -
We actively participate with openness and receptiveness. We are ready to listen, learn, and speak thoughtfully and kindly-regardless of skill level, expertise, or place on the org chart. Invest in our team -
We give our time and energy to our team's success-improving collaboration with effective communication, making space for diverse perspectives, sharing knowledge, and asking questions. Do Our Best Work -
We aspire to do our best possible work-continually looking for ways to improve the quality of our individual output and contribute to our team's overall success and growth. Focus on Customer Impact -
We advocate for our customer's best interests in our decision-making-we can trace the goal of every project back to creating positive value for our customers. Think Holistically, Work Iteratively -
We focus on taking practical steps towards our goals with an awareness of the broader context-thinking big, working small. We believe the strongest teams comprise people with diverse backgrounds and experiences, and we are committed to cultivating that diversity here at Planning Center. We're building an inclusive, supportive place for you to do your best work.
Education
Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field. CPA or MBA is a plus.
The Hiring Process
During the hiring process, you'll have a chance to interact with several members of our team. We strongly encourage you to bring any questions to anybody you interact with. You're interviewing us as much as we're interviewing you.
For equitable reasons, we typically provide candidates with a timeline for hiring, so they can plan accordingly and determine early on in the process whether or not they can afford to wait on us; however, this particular round will stay open until the position is filled. Should you be offered a position here, the hiring team will discuss a start date that fits your schedule.
Below is an outline of the steps in our hiring process.
Step one
: Apply with a resume, cover letter, and portfolio. Your cover letter should speak directly to your interest in this position. We want to know what got you into your field of work, how your experience has set you up for success in this role, and why you want to join our team. Applicants that do not submit a cover letter will not be considered.
(A word of caution for those using AI cover letters: When compared to the hundreds of other candidates who did the exact same thing, it becomes painfully obvious who took the AI first draft. If you're going to use these tools, we ask that you use them well. Please give our recruiter something a bit more human to read.) Step two
: Initial phone call with our Talent Acquisition Specialist so we can get to know one another Step three
: A series of interviews over Zoom with several different people from our Leadership Team and Finance Team. Step four
: We'll provide you with a take-home project to mine insights into how you work through tricky situations and use your past experience to address issues. (Please note that any materials, projects, or ideas submitted as part of this application process will remain the intellectual property of the applicant. These submissions are provided solely for evaluation purposes and will not be used, implemented, or shared by Planning Center without explicit written consent from the applicant.) Step five
: Final Interview with our CEO Step six
: Pending all goes well, we'll extend an offer
Requirements
Reside in the United States Eligible to work in the United States (we are currently
unable
to offer employment to those with H-1B visas) Be willing to travel four times each year to connect with the rest of the team (not during a pandemic)
Benefits
We love our team. It's one of the core pillars we work off of every day, which is why we take care of you as best we can. Here are a few highlights, but you can find all our benefits here.
Get paid:
We pay competitive rates no matter where you live, contribute to your 401k, provide a charitable giving match of up to $2,000 a year, have a generous allowance for continued education, and offer a co-working stipend. The annual salary range for this position is $150,000 - $250,000.
Be healthy:
Generous paid sick time and vacation time, $200 a month for physical fitness and mental health, 95% medical & 100% dental premium health coverage.
Get out:
Paid Fridays off in the summer, every other Friday off the rest of the year, a month-long sabbatical every five years, one week off between Christmas & New Year, one week off a year to serve with a globally-focused non-profit, and two weeks paid vacation a year increasing to three over time.
The pay range for this role is:
150,000 - 250,000 USD per year (Carlsbad, CA)