Finance Operations Manager at Vast

<div class="content-intro"><p>At Vast, our mission is to contribute to a future where billions of people are living and thriving in space. Vast is developing next-generation space stations to ensure a continuous human presence in space for America and its allies, enabling advanced microgravity research and manufacturing, and unlocking a new space economy for government, corporate, and private customers. Using an incremental, hardware-rich and low-cost approach, Vast is rapidly developing its multi-module Haven Station. Haven Demo’s 2025 success made Vast the only operational commercial space station company to fly and operate its own spacecraft. Next, Haven-1 is expected to become the world’s first commercial space station when it launches, followed by additional Haven modules to enable permanent human presence by 2030. Our team is all-in, committed to executing our mission safely and on time. If you want to work with the most talented people on Earth furthering space exploration for humanity, come join us.</p></div><p><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Vast is looking for a <strong>Finance Operations Manager</strong>, reporting to the<strong> Chief Financial Officer,&nbsp;</strong>to support the development of the systems that will be required for the design and build of artificial-gravity human-rated space stations.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">This role is designed for a highly strategic, finance-forward operator who can serve as an extension of the CFO in both internal and external initiatives. This individual will play a critical role in fundraising execution, investor engagement tracking, financial operations coordination, and executive-level communications, as well as provide CFO executive support.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The ideal candidate combines financial acumen, operational rigor, and strong executive presence. They are highly analytical, detail-oriented, and capable of managing sensitive information with discretion. They thrive in fast-paced, high-growth environments and are comfortable operating at both the strategic and tactical levels.</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">This will be a <strong>full-time</strong>,&nbsp;<strong>exempt</strong> position located in our <strong>Long Beach</strong>&nbsp;<span style="font-size: 10pt;">location</span>.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><strong>Responsibilities: </strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><strong>Strategic &amp; Financial Partnership</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Serve as a strategic thought partner to the CFO on company-wide financial priorities and operational execution.</span></li> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Sit in on finance, fundraising, and executive meetings to capture action items, track follow-ups, and ensure alignment against priorities.</span></li> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Help drive preparation and execution of fundraising processes, including investor tracking, diligence coordination, and timeline management.</span></li> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Maintain oversight of investor pipeline tracking, meeting logs, and engagement follow-ups.</span></li> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Support board and investor reporting cycles, including preparation of materials and coordination across Finance, Legal, and executive leadership.</span></li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Fundraising &amp; Investor Relations Support</span></strong></p> <ul> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Coordinate and track all investor interactions, including outreach, meetings, data room requests, and follow-ups.</span></li> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Manage fundraising project plans and ensure cross-functional deliverables are completed on time.</span></li> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Support diligence processes by organizing materials, coordinating internal stakeholders, and maintaining data rooms.</span></li> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Assist in crafting presentations and materials for investors, lenders, and strategic partners.</span></li> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Provide VIP support and experience to existing and prospective investor visits to Vast offices.</span></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Financial Operations &amp; Cross-Functional Execution</span></strong></p> <ul> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Partner with FP&amp;A, Accounting, Legal, and Business Operations to ensure CFO priorities are executed effectively.</span></li> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Improve internal processes that streamline information flow to the CFO and executive team.</span></li> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Track and manage critical finance-related initiatives, ensuring accountability across stakeholders.</span></li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Executive Operations</span></strong></p> <ul> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Manage and optimize the CFO’s calendar and priorities to ensure time is aligned with highest-impact initiatives.</span></li> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Draft communications and prepare briefing materials for internal and external meetings.</span></li> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Ensure the CFO is fully prepared for board meetings, executive reviews, fundraising updates, and external engagements.</span></li> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Handle sensitive and confidential financial matters with discretion.</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><strong>Minimum Qualifications:</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">5+ years of progressive experience in finance, investment banking, private equity, corporate development, strategic finance, or high-growth startup environments.</span></li> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Experience supporting senior executives in a strategic or operational capacity.</span></li> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Strong financial acumen and understanding of fundraising processes, capital markets, and financial reporting.</span></li> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Exceptional organizational and project management skills.</span></li> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Advanced proficiency in Google Workspace and/or Microsoft Office Suite (particularly Excel and PowerPoint).</span></li> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Excellent written and verbal communication skills.</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><strong>Preferred Skills &amp; Experience:</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Experience supporting a CFO, CEO, or senior finance executive.</span></li> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Direct experience in venture-backed or capital-intensive industries (aerospace, manufacturing, hardware, deep tech).</span></li> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Experience managing fundraising processes or investor relations.</span></li> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Strong analytical mindset with the ability to synthesize complex financial information into executive-ready insights.</span></li> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Proven ability to operate in high-growth environments with shifting priorities.</span></li> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">MBA or relevant advanced degree is a plus.</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><strong>Additional Requirements:</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Ability to be on site 5 days per week at our Long Beach HQ.</span></li> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Willingness to work extended hours as needed to support fundraising cycles, board meetings, and critical milestones.</span></li> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Ability to travel occasionally to support investor meetings or company initiatives.</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><strong>Pay Range&nbsp;</strong></span></p> <ul> <li style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Finance Operations Manager:&nbsp;$119,000.00 -$150,000.00</span></li> </ul><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="title">Pay Range: California</div><div class="pay-range"><span>$119,000</span><span class="divider">&mdash;</span><span>$150,000 USD</span></div></div></div><div class="content-conclusion"><div style="line-height: 1;"><strong>COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS</strong></div> <div style="line-height: 1;">&nbsp;</div> <div style="line-height: 1;"> <div> <div data-qa="message_pane"> <div> <div id="message-list"> <div id="message-list"> <div data-qa="slack_kit_scrollbar"> <div> <div data-qa="slack_kit_list"> <div id="message-list_1770163429.476589" data-qa="virtual-list-item" data-item-key="1770163429.476589"> <div data-qa="message_container" data-qa-unprocessed="false" data-qa-placeholder="false" data-msg-ts="1770163429.476589" data-msg-channel-id="D1T52LDR4"> <div data-qa-hover="true"> <div> <div> <div> <div data-qa="message_content"> <div> <div data-qa="message-text"> <div data-qa="block-kit-renderer"> <div> <div> <div>Base salary will vary depending on job-related knowledge, education, skills, experience, business needs, and market demand. Salary is just one component of our comprehensive compensation package. Full-time employees also receive company equity, as well as access to a full suite of compelling benefits and perks, including: 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees and dependents, generous paid time off; up to 20+ days of vacation for exempt staff and up to 10+ days of vacation for non-exempt staff with the ability to cash-out unused vacation annually, paid parental leave, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, ClassPass credits, personalized mental healthcare through Spring Health, and other discounts and perks. We also take pride in offering exceptional food perks, with snacks, drip coffee &amp; onsite barista, cold drinks, and dinner meals remaining free of charge, and lunch subsidized as part of Vast’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality meals for employees.</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div id="message-list_bottomSpacer" data-qa="virtual-list-item" data-item-key="bottomSpacer"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div> <div>&nbsp;</div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div style="line-height: 1;"> <p><strong>U.S. EXPORT CONTROL COMPLIANCE STATUS</strong></p> The person hired will have access to information and items subject to U.S. export controls, and therefore, must either be a “U.S. person” as defined by <a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-22/section-120.62">22 C.F.R. § 120.62</a> or otherwise eligible for deemed export licensing. This status includes U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), and asylees and refugees with such status granted, not pending.</div> <div style="line-height: 1;">&nbsp;</div> <p style="line-height: 1;"><strong>EQUAL OPPORTUNITY</strong></p> <div style="line-height: 1;">Vast is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Vast is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.</div></div>