Strategic Finance Lead | VC-Backed Deep Tech Scale-Up | London, Office-Based

Strategic Finance Lead | VC-Backed Deep Tech Scale-Up | London, Office-BasedThe ClientHarmonic is delighted to be exclusively partnering with one of Europe's most ambitious deep tech companies. The business builds advanced AI-driven hardware for industrial work, is already running pilots with global manufacturers and logistics operators, and is backed by leading venture and strategic industrial investors.Headquartered in London with labs across the globe, it is now moving from limited-run units to production at scale with tier-one manufacturing partners, ramping from hundreds to tens of thousands of units a year. Finance sits at the centre of that.The RoleReporting to the CFO, the Strategic Finance Lead will be the CFO's right hand on the decisions that take the business from pilots to mass production and, ultimately, the public markets. The role owns the models behind how the business prices, builds, funds and grows, and turns them into clear recommendations for the leadership team and the board. It is pitched at Director or Head of level, depending on experience.This is a hands-on role. You will build the models yourself, starting with a driver-based operating model and rolling forecast, then a unit-level unit economics and pricing framework used on every major deal. A team of analysts already runs the core reporting, which frees this role for pricing, capital, M&A and the production ramp, with the opportunity to build the strategic finance function as the group scales towards a public listing.Key ResponsibilitiesBuild and own the unit economics model per unit, covering BOM, landed cost, deployment, service, uptime and cost per effective hour against human labour, and track the cost-down path across product generations.Design pricing for as-a-service and outright purchase, including volume tiers, multi-year step-downs, service levels and software add-ons, and build deal models that support the commercial team through large enterprise negotiations.Run the financial analysis on acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic partnerships and supplier investments, from valuation and structuring through diligence to board approval and post-deal tracking.Model venture debt, term loans, equipment and fleet financing and working-capital facilities, including covenants, amortisation and headroom.Build the integrated capital plan linking equity rounds, debt and runway, and support fundraising with investor-grade models and data rooms.Own the annual budget and rolling forecast through a driver-based three-statement model that ties production ramp, headcount, capex and cash, and lead scenario planning on volumes, component costs, pricing and timing of capital.Run monthly business reviews with budget owners, explaining variances and keeping burn and runway visible to leadership and the board.Partner with Operations, Supply Chain and contract manufacturers on capacity, capex, inventory, standard costing and supplier terms, building make-versus-buy, should-cost and capacity investment cases.Essential Experience7+ years in strategic finance, FP&A, corporate development or investment banking, including at least 3 years in a high-growth, venture-backed company where you built finance processes from scratch.Manufacturing or hardware finance is essential: a working command of BOMs, standard costing, capex, inventory and contract manufacturing, ideally from robotics, automotive, EV, aerospace or industrial technology.Pricing and packaging for a physical product sold on a recurring basis, ideally covering both as-a-service and outright purchase, and the deal models behind large enterprise contracts.Direct experience of M&A or strategic transactions, from valuation and structuring through to board approval; joint ventures, strategic partnerships and supplier investments all count.Modelling and negotiating venture debt, term loans or asset-backed facilities, including covenants.Has owned the budget and forecast on a driver-based three-statement model you built yourself, with expert spreadsheet modelling and comfort with ERP and planning tools.Turns complex analysis into clear recommendations for founders, boards and investors, and stays accurate while moving quickly.Desirable ExperiencePhysical AI, GPU/compute experience, robotics, autonomous systems, AI hardware or other hardware sold as a service.Fundraising with a mix of venture and strategic investors, ideally including US funds.Pre-IPO readiness, public-company reporting or capital markets exposure.Revenue recognition for as-a-service or leasing models (IFRS 15/16, ASC 606/842).Cross-border experience across the UK, US and EU.CFA, ACA, CIMA, CPA or MBA.Salary: £160,000 - £200,000 + Equity

Location: London, office-based, with travel to international offices and to customer and manufacturing sites

Benefits

Stock options, 30+ days off including bank holidays and a Christmas shutdown, private healthcare, 8% pension, and breakfast and lunch provided in the officeStart Date: ASAP; candidates available at short notice are of particular interestApply: Jamie Huddart, jamie.huddart@harmonicfinance.com, with your CV and notice periodAt Harmonic, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace. We actively welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and assure you that every candidate will be thoughtfully considered for the roles we represent, without regard to race, religion, gender expression, disability, or sexual orientation.