Strategic Finance Associate

JOB DESCRIPTION

Strategic Finance Associate

Department

Finance

Location

Austin, TX

Work Arrangement

On-site

Travel

Occasional travel to CMG sites, including Ballinger, TX

FLSA Status

Exempt

Employment Type

Full-time

Direct Reports

None

Clearance

Not required

POSITION SUMMARY

Critical Materials Group (CMG) is a federally licensed energetics manufacturer rebuilding America’s defense industrial base, and is building its finance function from the ground up. The Strategic Finance Associate owns the forward view and answers the question: what should CMG do next? Working directly with the CEO, this role builds and maintains the operating model, budget, and rolling forecast, supports proposal pricing, and turns operating data into the analysis behind decisions on capital, capacity, and programs. This is an early-career role, open to new graduates and candidates with 1–3 years of experience, with direct exposure to executive- and board-level work; accounting, the close, and government compliance sit with CMG’s Senior Controller, and FP&A builds on that foundation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Operating Model, Budget & Forecast

▪ Build and maintain CMG’s operating model, annual budget, and rolling forecast, including cash runway.

▪ Compare actuals to budget and forecast each month and explain variances, using closed books from the Senior Controller.

▪ Track KPIs for production, program margins, headcount, and cash, and keep leadership dashboards current.

Proposal Pricing & Bid Support

▪ Build pricing models and bid estimates for government proposals, using indirect rates set with the Senior Controller.

▪ Model program returns and margins across contract types, including firm-fixed-price, cost-plus, and other transaction agreements.

Strategic & Ad Hoc Analysis

▪ Analyze capex, plant capacity, make-vs.-buy decisions, and program economics as CMG ramps production.

▪ Deliver fast, well-reasoned ad hoc analysis for the CEO on operating and investment decisions.

▪ Use data from CMG’s newly implemented ERP to automate recurring reports and analysis.

Board, Investor & Capital Support

▪ Prepare board and investor reporting packages, KPIs, and presentation materials.

▪ Support capital raises, lender and investor diligence, non-dilutive funding, and M&A with models, analysis, and data room preparation.

Partnership with the Senior Controller

▪ Rely on the Senior Controller for accurate actuals, indirect rates, and compliance guidance; FP&A does not own the general ledger, close, billing, or DCAA compliance.

WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE

First 90 days

▪ Build or take over CMG’s operating model and rolling forecast, including cash runway.

▪ Deliver the first monthly budget-vs.-actuals variance review with the Senior Controller’s closed books.

▪ Stand up a core KPI dashboard for production, program margins, headcount, and cash.

First 6–12 months

▪ Deliver the annual budget and support pricing on active government proposals.

▪ Produce board and investor reporting packages on a regular cadence.

▪ Automate recurring reports using ERP data.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

▪ Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Engineering, or a related field.

▪ 2–5 years of experience in investment banking, private equity, venture capital, corporate finance, or FP&A; strong internship experience will be considered for new graduates.

▪ Advanced financial modeling skills in Excel or Google Sheets, including three-statement models and valuation.

▪ Clear, concise communicator who can present findings to executives and the board.

▪ Comfortable building processes and models from scratch with limited structure.

Preferred

▪ Exposure to industrial, defense, or manufacturing companies.

▪ Familiarity with government contract types and proposal pricing.

▪ Experience with ERP data, SQL, or BI tools such as Power BI or Tableau.

▪ Progress toward a CFA, CPA, or similar credential.

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

▪ Based in Austin, TX, in an office environment, working closely with the CEO.

▪ Occasional travel to CMG sites, including the Ballinger, TX facility.

▪ Site visits may include manufacturing and laboratory areas where personal protective equipment and site safety protocols are required.

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

▪ Successful completion of a background check and drug screening

▪ May require U.S. Person status due to access to export-controlled (ITAR/EAR) information

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Base salary: To be determined. This role is also eligible for equity, a sign-on bonus where applicable, and CMG’s full benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Critical Materials Group is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.