Director of Finance & Administration

About the Company

Reporting directly to the CEO, the Director of Finance & Administration will oversee the financial and administrative functions of a growing shipping company. This role requires expertise in financial analysis, including voyage profit and loss accounting and vessel operating cost analysis. The position will focus on managing financial reporting, budgeting, cash flow, and other essential financial operations while ensuring compliance, accuracy, and efficiency. This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to a fast-growing organization and work closely with senior executives to shape the company's success.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial Planning & Budget Management
• Lead the budgeting process, creating vessel-specific operating cost budgets with input from the crewing and technical teams.
• Develop annual shore-based budgets in collaboration with the CEO and financial controller.
• Establish internal KPIs to measure business performance alongside commercial, operations, and technical teams.
• Prepare annual budgets and long-term financial forecasts (e.g., 5-year plans).
• Financial Reporting
• Oversee the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure all expenses align with GAAP standards and company budget assumptions through collaboration with the accounting team.
• Analyze financial results, identify key variances, and propose cost-saving strategies or process improvements.
• Prepare compliance documentation for lenders and assist with investor communications when required.
• Cash Flow & Liquidity Management
• Develop and maintain rolling 15-week cash flow forecasts.
• Advise on liquidity strategies and oversee disbursement plans created by accounting staff.
• Support for Business Growth & Operations
• Build financial models for evaluating new vessel acquisitions, mergers, and other strategic transactions.
• Provide financial and competitive analysis to support contract negotiations and bids.
• Partner with the crewing department to assess the financial impact of union labor contracts.

Additional Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the company’s Professional Employer Organization (PEO) to manage employee benefits and ensure HR compliance.
• Work with insurance brokers to secure appropriate coverage and provide data-driven support during renewals.
• Assist the CEO in preparing fundraising materials for debt or equity financing and addressing shareholder or lender inquiries.
• Liaise with IT service providers to resolve ERP issues and identify opportunities for improving operational efficiency through data management tools.
• Handle other tasks as assigned by the executive leadership team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in financial planning and analysis (FP&A) within the shipping or logistics sector, or as a finance expert in the shipping industry.
• Strong values of integrity, attention to detail, and self-discipline.
• Proficiency with Oracle NetSuite or similar general ledger systems; experience with Veson IMOS and/or ABS Wavesight is a plus.
• Eligibility for a Secret-level security clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business, or a related discipline (Master’s degree or CPA designation is preferred).
• Minimum of 3 years in a similar role.

Location

This role is based on-site, with flexibility to work from either the New York City area or Houston, TX.