Head of Finance & Business Operations

Leanspace is a leading provider of software solutions for satellite and ground segment operations. We build and operate the Leanspace platform, an ecosystem of APIs and data-handling services to run mission-critical systems. Our software supports many space engineering activities, ranging from satellite testing to in-orbit operations.

Our customers are large enterprises, space agencies, armed forces, and innovative newspace startups, running exciting space programs such as Earth observation satellites, satcom constellations, in-orbit services vehicles, orbital platforms, launchers, space cargo, and global ground station networks. We provide them with the data and software ecosystem to test and operate their space assets with unprecedented agility, security and scalability. 

Founded in 2020, Leanspace has quickly become a key player in the global ground segment market, convincing high-profile customers in Europe, the United States and other regions, as well as securing the support of prestigious investors and governments. The company operates from its HQ in Strasbourg, France; an international, beautiful city at the heart of Europe, rich in culture, nature and host to the European institutions, as well as from its office in Denver, Colorado; a fast-growing, vibrant hub of space activities in the USA. 

We’ve built an international team of 17+ nationalities, the driving force behind our ambitious mission to reshape the satellite ground segment market. We’re looking for driven, ambitious talents to join us and keep pushing the boundaries of space technology!

What We are Looking For

Driven by customer growth and the need to better structure our finance and business operations, we are looking for an experienced profile to join us and serve as a strategic partner to the ExCom and CEO, reporting directly to him. You will oversee finance and business operations across both our French entity and our US subsidiary in Colorado. The role is full-time and is based at our headquarters near Strasbourg, France.

Working with a small team, you will take the leadership of the Finance & Business Operations function, becoming the responsible for financial planning and day-to-day support functions, as well improving our business operations by setting up processes, establishing clear guidelines for the company, and  streamlining them through simplification and automation.

This role is designed for a hands-on financial leader who can combine day-to-day rigor with a strategic mindset in a fast-moving, international environment. The ideal candidate will be deeply analytical, operationally experienced, and capable of managing global financial complexity — not just a traditional accountant, but a financial strategist and builder.

Your Tasks

1. 1. Financial Planning & Analysis. Maintain and evolve 24-month forward-looking financial models. Put in place unit economics and business metrics such as costs of sales, customer acquisition costs, costs of development across products, geographies, clients, and channels. Develop growth forecasts and what-if analyses for executives and investors.
   2. Finance & Accounting. Oversee payroll (Payfit), invoicing (Zoho), procurement and expenses (Spendesk). Manage cash flow, monitor the burn rate, hunt for cost savings opportunities. Run monthly and yearly financial closings. Liaise with our accounting firm and auditors.
   3. Contracts & Legal compliance. Ensure compliance to applicable regulations, ranging from social, corporate, and business. Obtain necessary approvals from public authorities, including export licenses (dual-use goods). Review NDAs and contracts and support their negotiations. Liaise with external, specialized law firms in France and the USA.
   4. Financial support to strategic projects. Contribute to customer proposals, public tenders and grant applications. Prepare financial reports for R&D grants, CIR/CII and other funding projects.
   5. Investor relations. Support the CEO by preparing and maintaining investor materials, including financial models, pitch decks, and KPIs. Manage data rooms and support due diligence in future investment rounds. Assist in fundraising strategy, negotiations, and financial storytelling.

Your Profile

Your experience matters:

• You have a Master’s degree (Bac+5) from a business school, MBA, or equivalent.
• You have at least 10 years in a similar role, ideally within a scaleup environment. You know inside out what this job is about
• You know how to multitask and adapt priorities on a frequent basis. You enjoy alterning between long-term thinking (building for the future) and short-term needs (being hands-on to solve today’s fires)
• You have excellent modeling (excel) and analytical skills; experience with data tools (e.g. Zapier) and modern accounting and FP&A tools to save time and make our life easier
• You are rigorous, you hate when things are messy. You are great are detecting issues and digging them out.
• You are a confident communicator. You can challenge at C-level, you come with solutions, not just problems, you drive teams through negotiation and persuasion, not by power.
• You are fluent in English; French is a plus but not mandatory

Bonus points for:

• You have supported the growth of a startup through several funding rounds 
• You are excited by complex engineering industries (eg B2B software, aerospace, defense…)
• You lived abroad, worked for highly international businesses
• You have been exposed to international, intercultural team

Why You Will Love Working With Us

You will play a key role in an exciting, international scaleup. You will enjoy a highly intercultural environment, benefit from a flexible, family-friendly culture with many social activities and team events, and work with a talented and close-knit team.

At Leanspace you will have a direct impact in the space industry, contributing to shape its future directly through your work. You will have opportunities for business travels, space events and for visiting exciting space landmarks.

We offer assistance and financial support with relocation, private health insurance, meal vouchers, subsidies for commuting costs, as well as a yearly training budget of 2,000€ to invest in your professional development.