VP, Finance and Strategic Capital

Job description

**Location:** Toronto, Canada (Onsite) **Reports to:** CEO and Head of Finance **Type:** Full-time, Permanent **About the Role** This role sits at the centre of how we fund the company. You will own three capital channels at once — equity financing, debt financing (venture debt and bank facilities), and government funding — while serving as the primary point of contact for investors and the internal gatekeeper on the numbers that leave the building. We are looking for someone who speaks the language of capital markets and can also read a balance sheet properly. **What You Will Do** **1. Equity Financing & Investor Relations** l Lead or support end-to-end equity raises: business plan and investment narrative, financial model, data room build-out and maintenance l Systematically engage VCs, growth funds, strategic investors and family offices across Canada and the U.S.; build and maintain the investor pipeline l Own investor due diligence (financial, legal, tax, technical, commercial), coordinating external counsel, accountants and advisors l Produce monthly and quarterly investor updates, board materials, and manage day-to-day shareholder communication **2. Debt Financing & Banking Relationships** l Engage venture debt and growth capital providers such as RBC Innovation Banking, CIBC Innovation Banking, BDC Capital, EDC and Espresso Capital l Manage credit applications, prepare supporting materials, and negotiate terms (pricing, covenants, warrants, repayment structure, security) l Maintain ongoing banking relationships and support account opening, facility management, FX and cash management needs **3. Government Funding & Regulatory Communication** l Own the application, tracking and close-out of federal and Ontario funding programs: SR&ED, NRC IRAP, Scale AI, NGen, OVIN and others l Communicate independently with the CRA, NRC and other agencies — respond to queries and prepare for and manage audits and reviews l Work with external SR&ED consultants and accounting firms to ensure filing quality and deadlines are met **4. Financial Analysis & Statement Review** l Independently review monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements, identify anomalies and reconciliation issues, and understand the commercial substance behind the accounting l Verify figures before anything goes out the door, ensuring financial data is consistent and traceable across investor materials, bank submissions and government filings l Build and maintain the three-statement model, scenario analysis, unit economics and cash flow forecasts l Manage the cap table and dilution analysis; support valuation work (DCF, comparable companies, precedent transactions) l Support the audit process and participate in discussions on key accounting policies and disclosure treatment **What You Bring** l Bachelor's degree or above in finance, accounting, economics or a related field; CPA or CFA preferred l4–8 years of relevant experience, including at least 2 years in investor relations or a role facing investors and capital providers directly (investment banking, PE/VC, Big 4 transaction advisory, corporate development or FP&A backgrounds all welcome) l Strong finance and accounting foundation. Familiarity with IFRS or ASPE, and the ability to read and review the three primary statements and their notes independently — and to ask sharp questions about what looks off l A demonstrable track record on completed financings, from materials preparation through investor roadshow to diligence and closing l Near-native English, written and spoken, with the ability to deal directly with government agencies, the CRA, banks and international investors. Mandarin is an asset l Solid understanding of the Canadian capital markets ecosystem and government funding landscape, including how venture debt is structured and negotiated l Advanced financial modelling skills, with real depth in three-statement modelling and valuation l Legally authorized to work in Canada and able to be based in Toronto **Nice to Have** l Experience in AI, SaaS or consumer internet l A track record of independently closing a venture debt facility or a government funding program l An existing network among U.S. investors l Familiarity with cross-border Canada / U.S. / China corporate structures and the associated tax and compliance environment l Experience building a financing materials function from scratch at an early-stage company **Compensation:** l Base salary: $140,000 - $190,000 CAD, commensurate with experience l Performance bonus: target 17% of base salary l Equity: stock option plan in a fast-growing AI company l Paid vacation: 2 weeks, plus statutory holidays l Group benefits Daily meal credit ($20 lunch + $20 dinner via UberEats)