Head of Financial Planning and Analysis

 

Title: Head of Financial Planning, Analysis and Reporting

 

Location:  Webster, TX

 

Job Type: Full Time

 

Company Description: Starlab Space LLC is a US-led transatlantic joint venture between Voyager Space, Airbus, Mitsubishi Corporation, MDA and Plantir, that is designing, building, and will operate the Starlab commercial space station. Starlab will serve a global customer base of space agencies, researchers, and

companies, ensuring a continued human presence in low-Earth orbit and a seamless transition of microgravity science and research from the International Space Station into the new commercial space station era. 

 

Position Description: The successful candidate will join the team in Houston and work in a transnational environment with activities done in several sites across the US and Europe. This job requires a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth (and aware of any potential compliance risks). The Head of FPA&R– Starlab Space Station Program is responsible for leading all financial aspects of the program, ensuring robust financial management, and supporting strategic decision-making. This role collaborates across departments to optimize financial performance and maintain compliance with regulatory and organizational requirements.

 

Responsibilities: 

Functional or Central Controlling: 30%

• Prepare monthly consolidation of Starlab operating costs by cost centers and functions, coordinate with other program controllers to ensure accuracy of data and propose improvements to consolidation process.
• Support monthly close by working closely with the accounting team and advice on corrections. 
• Ensure that deadlines are met and provide support as needed. 
• Review monthly cost allocations and communicate with different stakeholders to update / improve processes.
• Ensure quality of year-to-date actual data through consistency checks with financial system reporting, general accounting and purchasing officers of the function. Review month-end results and request corrections as necessary.
• Regular reviews with the Starlab CFO to provide financial understanding of the functions and business in order to help them achieve their Planning targets by providing financial information.
• Ensure financial audit support and secure compliance regarding financial systems
• Control IT and HR budgets and optimize spending on hardware, software, and services

 

Financial Planning and Budgeting: 25%

• Support the preparation of the three to five-year Operating Budget for the Starlab, with focus on Corporate Functions and manage the budget with the internal and external functions to enable the preparation of the Starlab consolidated Budget Letter Agreement.
• Deliver outlooks and forecasts periodically after identifying risks and opportunities to budget, in coordination with each department leadership and function controlling.
• Support the Controlling Group View, focusing on the cost consolidation for Starlab in the USA.
• Perform variance analysis on actuals vs. budget; identify budget underrun/overrun and implement actions to meet plan objectives. Communicate the monthly year-to-date and year-end overviews for all internal customers. 
• Meet with functions on a regular basis to discuss upcoming activities and assess current and future needs.
• Monitor headcount changes to ensure budget alignment, and for corrective and forecast purposes.
• Discuss changes with central functions to ensure headcount variations are within budget.

 

Financial Reporting and Risk Management: 25%

• Financial Reporting & Compliance: Ensure timely and accurate financial reporting both internal management and external financials. Oversee compliance with accounting standards, tax regulations, and other statutory requirements. Manage internal and external audits.
• Risk Management: Oversee cash flow management, working capital, and cost control measures. Identify financial risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Operational Finance: Support to Program Management, IT, Procurement, Program Controllers on optimizing financial processes, systems, and tools to support business growth. Monitor KPIs and create financial models to evaluate company performance. Lead cost-saving initiatives and optimize resource allocation.

 

Shared Services and Other Tasks: 20%

• Partner with financial systems manager and program controllers/program managers to be part of discussions on an accounting and reporting requirements related to tool implementation, and make recommendations on best way of action.
• Make decisions for sustainable financial and reporting solutions such as most appropriate financial structure and needed reporting capabilities.
• Ensure consistency of data and financial reports by testing new platforms.
• Ensure compliance with the existing accounting, finance and procurement processes, identify areas of improvement and implement sustainable solutions.
• Oversee the design, implementation, and maintenance of a robust and scalable IT infrastructure.
• Monitor purchasing process and propose corrective actions when necessary.
• Release purchase requisitions for values up to $100k to ensure spending is within budget limit and supplementary check monthly accruals on Blanket Purchase Orders.
• Mentor and develop staff within his or her perimeter and fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

 

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or equivalent in a related field 
• 15+ years of experience in finance with at least 10 years as a CFO or in a senior finance role, ideally in a technology environment.
• CA or CPA designation required.
• Strong understanding of financial modeling, forecasting, and cash flow management.
• Knowledge of Program Performance metrics will be required.
• Team management skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex financial concepts to nonfinancial stakeholders.
• Financial data analytics, Strong financial knowledge, Reconciliation of Financial data
• A feeling for numbers and excellent financial skills and the ability to persuade, influence and convince
• Able to anticipate, assess and mitigate program risks

 

Preferences:

• Desirable experience of working in a start-up and fast paced environment with proven record of successful stakeholder management in a government set up or to an institutional customer
• Knowledge of the Space industry preferred.

 

 Travel Required:

 

Clearance:

 

Decision Making, Complexity:

• Authorized to make decisions on budget adjustments, cost allocations, and financial reporting methodologies to ensure program success.
• Ability to propose and implement financial process improvements in collaboration with key stakeholders.

 

Organizational information:

• Reports to: CFO (Chief Financial Officer)
• Works closely with: Program Manager, IPT Leads, Engineering, Procurement, IT, HR, and Operations

 

To meet obligations and signed agreements with NASA which allow access to necessary and critical data to perform these duties, you must be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from NASA, which authorization would not be granted for persons born in, or who have current or dual citizenship in, Russia, China (PRC) or any country from the designated countries list (https://www.state.gov/state-sponsors-of-terrorism/) that is on the State Sponsors of Terrorism list.

 

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

 Starlab Space, LLC. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. 

Minority/Female/Disabled/Veteran

 

The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe the general content and requirements for performance of this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties, responsibilities, and requirements. This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter the scope of work within the framework of this job description at any time without prior notice.