VP, Finance

OverviewLightship is the first American all-electric recreational vehicle manufacturer currently developing an aerodynamic, battery-powered trailer for the electric age. As the macro transition to an all-electric transportation ecosystem accelerates, Lightship is bringing the increased convenience and superior performance that electrification offers to a pastime enjoyed by over 11 million American families.
Honoring Diverse PerspectivesLightship is committed to hiring and developing top talent from diverse backgrounds. We believe representing and supporting diverse groups is key to the success of our team members, customers, shareholders and the achievement of our mission and vision. We operate in a collaborative environment with a flat organizational structure and expect a high degree of integrity, autonomy and creativity from all members of the team.
About the RoleAs the VP of Finance, you will play a critical leadership role responsible for building and scaling Lightship's financial strategy, planning, and execution. You will serve as a strategic partner to the CEO and executive team, leading all aspects of financial management, including forecasting, budgeting, cash management, accounting and financial reporting, and strategic financial and operational support of business decisions. This role is vital for ensuring Lightship’s financial health, informing capital allocation decisions, and driving efficient growth and continuous operational improvement. We’re a rapidly scaling hardware startup so come ready for all of the fun (fast pace, building real stuff, lots of autonomy) and all of the challenges (aggressive timelines, hard goals, tight resources) that are foundational to bringing a disruptive product to a massive market and part of Americana.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Financial Planning (FP&A): Develop and lead annual budgeting, long-term planning, and ongoing financial forecasting processes. Own all aspects of the company financial model to accurately forecast revenue, product margin, operating expenses and capital expenditures.
• Accounting & Financial Reporting: Responsible for the accounting function, ensuring timely and accurate monthly/quarterly/annual close processes, and producing GAAP-compliant financial statements.
• Fundraising Support: Support Lightship’s Co-Founders by owning all financial aspects of capital raising (both equity and debt) as well as investor relations (including due diligence, preparing investor pitch decks and financial models, managing banking relationships).
• Operational Finance & Controls: Design, implement, and maintain robust financial controls and systems, ensuring audit readiness and compliance as the company scales. Oversee treasury, cash management, and tax compliance.
• Business Partnership: Serve as a strategic financial partner across all departments, providing deep cost analysis, margin optimization strategies, ROI and make/buy analyses to support disciplined growth.
• Executive & Board Reporting: Prepare and present detailed financial results, key operational metrics, and strategic business insights to the executive team and board of directors.
• Team Leadership: Recruit, mentor, and develop a high-performing finance and accounting team.

Minimum Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive experience in finance roles, with significant time spent in a team leadership position (Director or VP level) at a high-growth startup.
• Proven expertise in corporate finance, financial planning & analysis (FP&A), and cash management for a high-growth technology, hardware, or manufacturing company.
• Demonstrated ability to build and own sophisticated integrated financial models (e.g., three-statement models) with specific expertise in modeling a business that has a complex hardware product
• Experience with direct oversight of an accounting function and familiarity with U.S. GAAP accounting, financial close processes, and implementing internal controls for a scaling organization.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to clearly articulate complex financial matters to non-financial audiences and the Board.
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related quantitative field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience in the clean energy, EV, or other complex hardware manufacturing industries.
• Prior experience in investment banking, management consulting, private equity, or venture capital.
• Experience leading a company through multiple debt and equity fundraises.

Equity

• Lightship compensation consists of the yearly salary above plus equity, which gives you a stake in the company.

Employee Benef