VP of Strategic Finance

<div class="content-intro"><h2>Who <strong>We Are</strong></h2> <p>Lightning AI is the company behind PyTorch Lightning. Founded in 2019, we build an end-to-end platform for developing, training, and deploying AI systems—designed to take ideas from research to production with less friction.</p> <p>Through our merger with Voltage Park, a neocloud and AI Factory, Lightning AI combines developer-first software with cost-efficient, large-scale compute. Teams get the tools they need for experimentation, training, and production inference, with security, observability, and control built in.</p> <p>We serve solo researchers, startups, and large enterprises. Lightning AI operates globally with offices in New York City, San Francisco, Seattle, and London, and is backed by Coatue, Index Ventures, Bain Capital Ventures, and Firstminute.</p> <h2 class="PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer" data-section-id="o4nw1n" data-start="0" data-end="18">The Way We Work</h2> <p data-start="20" data-end="222">The people who thrive here are builders who move fast, communicate openly, take ownership, and continuously improve themselves, their teams, and our company. Here's what that looks like in practice:</p> <ul> <li data-section-id="vkpt18" data-start="319" data-end="461"><strong data-start="321" data-end="343">Move with Urgency:</strong> We move quickly, make thoughtful decisions, and keep momentum. We value action over perfection and learn by shipping.</li> <li data-section-id="1c7e9p5" data-start="462" data-end="598"><strong data-start="464" data-end="483">Take Ownership:</strong> We own outcomes, not just our individual work. We make decisions that move the company forward and follow through.</li> <li data-section-id="1wm6yoj" data-start="599" data-end="751"><strong data-start="601" data-end="624">Communicate Openly:</strong> We communicate directly, seek to understand, and create clarity for others. Honest conversations help us move faster together.</li> <li data-section-id="1w7531e" data-start="752" data-end="874"><strong data-start="754" data-end="776">Build Great Teams:</strong> We lead by example, empower others, and create healthy teams where people can do their best work.</li> <li data-section-id="jb6f5l" data-start="875" data-end="1036"><strong data-start="877" data-end="895">Raise the Bar:</strong> We're always improving ourselves. We learn from feedback, consistently challenge ourselves to grow, and focus on the work that matters most.</li> <li data-section-id="12lc0uc" data-start="1037" data-end="1184"><strong data-start="1039" data-end="1059">Think Long-Term:</strong> We design for what's next. We create scalable systems, simplify complexity, and use AI and automation to amplify our impact.</li> </ul> <div class="c-message_actions__container c-message__actions"> </div></div><h2>What We're Looking For</h2> <p>We are looking for a VP of Strategic Finance to shape the financial strategy of a company operating at the intersection of AI software and large-scale compute infrastructure. You'll be a key thought partner to the CFO and executive team, building the models, plans, and insights that guide how we allocate capital, price our products, and scale the business.</p> <p>You will be joining the Finance Team and report to our Chief Financial Officer. This is a hybrid role based in our San Francisco office with in-office requirements of 2 days per week. </p> <h2>What You’ll Do</h2> <ul> <li><strong>Strategic Planning:</strong> Own the annual operating plan and long-range financial model; translate company strategy into clear financial targets and track performance against them</li> <li><strong>Capital Allocation:</strong> Model and evaluate major investment decisions, including GPU and data center capacity, infrastructure expansion, and build vs. buy vs. lease trade-offs</li> <li><strong>Unit Economics & Pricing:</strong> Develop a deep understanding of the economics across our software platform and compute business, including utilization, gross margin, and customer profitability; partner with Product and GTM on pricing and packaging</li> <li><strong>Executive & Board Partnership:</strong> Prepare board materials, investor updates, and executive reporting; deliver clear, data-backed recommendations that inform company-level decisions</li> <li><strong>Fundraising & Financing:</strong> Support equity fundraising, debt and asset-backed financing, and investor diligence; build the models and narrative that underpin capital raises</li> <li><strong>Merger Integration:</strong> Lead the financial integration of Lightning AI and Voltage Park, including unifying planning processes, reporting structures, and KPIs across both businesses</li> <li><strong>Business Partnership:</strong> Act as a strategic partner to Engineering, Infrastructure, Sales, and Marketing leaders, helping them plan headcount, budgets, and investments with financial discipline</li> <li><strong>Corporate Development:</strong> Evaluate strategic opportunities including partnerships, acquisitions, and large customer or supplier contracts</li> <li><strong>Team Leadership:</strong> Build, manage, and develop a high-performing FP&A and strategic finance team as the company scales</li> </ul> <h2>What You’ll Need</h2> <ul> <li><strong>12+ years of experience</strong> across strategic finance, FP&A, corporate development, investment banking, or management con