Director of Finance

Katalyst Description:

Katalyst is an American technology companyfocused on dynamic space operations.We are building a fleet ofdual-use multipurposerobotic space vehiclestocreate thefuture where maneuvering upgrading refuelingresupplyand exploration are as routine as they are on Earth. Getting to space and overcoming the gravity well is only half the story. What you do there is the future. We are not building the trains. We are building the machines that lay down the tracks. By developing the foundational capabilities that make sustained responsive operations possible we enable a new era of spaceexplorationthat strengthens national security and ensures freedom of action in an increasingly contested domain.

Katalyst Culture:

Working at Katalyst is intense hands-on and deeply rewarding. Youll take real ownership and see your work move from concept to operations in an environment where the problems are hard and the impact is real. We value humility craftsmanship and doing things the right way even when its harder. Youll work closely with thoughtful driven teammates who push each other to do their best.

Overview

Katalystisseekinga highly capable hands-onDirector of Financeown the companys full finance operating rhythm across monthly close budgeting and forecasting cash management accounts payable accounts receivable financial reporting internal controls and strategic finance support.

This leader will be expected tooperateas both a player and a builder:personallydriving core accounting and finance processes in the near term while designing the systems controls and team structure needed to scale the business over time. The Director of Finance will serve as a key thought partner to leadership team ensuring the company hasaccuratefinancials strong operating discipline and forward-looking financial visibility.

This role is especially well suited for a finance leader who thrives in early-stage environments can move fluidly between detail and strategy and is excited tobuilda finance function that will support the company through its next phase of growth.

Reporting Structure

This role will report to theVP of Operationsand work closely with department leaders across the company.

What Youll Do

Build and lead the finance function

1. Establish the foundation of the finance organization
2. Design and implement scalable finance processes controls policies and reporting cadences
3. Build the finance roadmap including team design systems architecture and outsourcing strategy where appropriate
4. Hire develop and lead future finance team members across accounting FP&A and AP/AR as the company grows
5. Establish clear ownership documentation and standard operating procedures across all core finance activities

Own the monthly quarterly and annual finance operating cadence

1. Lead the monthly close process including reconciliations journal entries accruals prepaids revenue recognition considerations and financial statement preparation
2. Ensure accurate and timely monthly quarterly and annual financial reporting
3. Maintain budget-to-actual reporting and variance analysis across departments
4. Support quarterly reforecasts and annual planning processes
5. Prepare management reporting packages and support board-level reporting
6. Translate financial results into actionable insights risks and recommendations

Lead accounting operations and controllership activities

1. Own day-to-day accounting operations in a hands-on manner until team scale supports greater delegation
2. Oversee and improve accounts payable procurement controls accounts receivable invoicing and collections
3. Maintain balance sheet integrity through timely reconciliations
4. Ensure disciplined expense classification cutoff and period-end accruals
5. Develop and maintain internal controls appropriate for a scaling venture-backed business
6. Prepare the company for increasing audit diligence tax and investor reporting

Drive budgeting forecasting and strategic finance

1. Develop monthly cash flow forecasts including a rollingdetailedcash forecast and long-term runway model
2. Partner with the leadership team on hiring plans expense decisions and resource allocation
3. Support pricing vendor customer and investment decisions with financial analysis and scenario modeling
4. Support fundraising readiness by ensuring the companys financial story metrics and supporting schedules are credible and consistent

Cash management and working capital ownership

1. Monitor daily and weekly cash position and ensure strong visibility into liquidity
2. Manage payment timing collections and cash conversion discipline to preserve runway
3. Build and maintain clear reporting on burn rate runway and key cash drivers
4. Identify risks and opportunities related to working capital customer receivables vendor obligations and large spend commitments

Systems controls and GAAP readiness

1. Lead the migration from the companys current accounting environment to a GAAP-compliant accounting system and finance infrastructure capable of supporting scale investor expectations and future audit requirements
2. Assess and improve the current accounting systems close processes chart of accounts and reporting architecture
3. Implement systems and workflows that improve data integrity auditability and reporting efficiency
4. Establish accounting policies and procedures aligned with U.S. GAAP and the needs of a venture-backed business

Compliance and government contracting support

1. Partner with internal and external stakeholders to support tax compliance and regulatory requirements
2. Help ensure finance processes and records are maintained in a manner consistent with applicable government contracting expectations including familiarity with DCAA/DCMA-related accounting environments cost structures and documentation disciplines

What Were Looking For

1. Yourea hands-on builder with strong judgment for balancing accuracy and efficiency
2. You have meticulous attention to detail and enjoy producing financial and cost data that stands up to scrutiny
3. You like owning the numbers end-to-end and understand how they impact programs contracts and business decisions
4. You enjoy digging into cost structures and variances and turning them into clear useful insights for leadership and program teams
5. Youre comfortable working in ambiguity and building frameworks systems and processes as the organization grows and matures
6. You enjoy working closely with engineering operations and program teams and helping finance enable execution

Your Ideal Background

Required

• Bachelors degree in Accounting Finance or related field
• 8 years of experience across accounting controllership or a related finance role
• Prior experience in public accounting at a major firm
• Strong foundation in accounting financial reporting close processes reconciliations and internal controls
• Experience owning or materially contributing to budgeting forecasting cash management and executive reporting
• Demonstrated ability to operate in a highly hands-on role with limited infrastructure and build processes from scratch
• Experience implementing upgrading or migrating accounting systems and improving finance tooling
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and the practical application of GAAP in a scaling company environment
• Excellent modeling analytical and communication skills
• Ability to synthesize detailed financial information into clear business recommendations

Preferred

• CPA preferred
• Prior experience in aerospace defense or another regulated hardware manufacturing industry
• Experience preparing a company for audit due diligence or institutional investor reporting
• Experience working in venture-funded companies ideally in early-stage or high-growth environments
• Experience building and managing small high-performing finance teams
• Familiarity with DCAA/DCMA accounting practices government contract cost structures documentation expectations and compliance-oriented financial processes
• Proficiency in Excel

Additional Requirements: Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed.

Compensation and Benefits: Your base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills education and experience. The anticipated salary range for this role is $170000 - $220000 annually.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at Katalyst. You will also be eligible for long-term incentives in the form of the Employee Stock Option and Equity Plan as well as a relocation bonus and other discretionary bonuses. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical vision and dental coverage and unlimited Paid Time Off.

At Katalyst our work on projects involving the U.S. Department of Defense requires adherence to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) 22 C.F.R. Parts 120-130 which requires compliance with U.S. export laws before allowing employees to perform certain positions. Currently our available roles necessitate access to ITAR-controlled information and as a result Katalyst would have to ensure any non-US person is authorized access to ITAR information before the commencement of employment. We are committed to equal employment opportunities and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity or national origin.