Director, Financial Strategy & Operations
Hearst · New York City, San Francisco · $147,973–$204,365 (stated in the posting)
Be Part of What’s Next
Help shape the next chapter of one of the most distinctive enthusiast marketplaces in the world. As Director, Financial Strategy & Operations at Bring a Trailer (BaT), you’ll partner closely with leadership to identify new avenues for growth, evaluate transformative opportunities, and bring the financial rigor needed to turn ambitious ideas into smart, actionable decisions.
This is a senior, highly visible individual contributor role for someone who thrives at the intersection of strategy and execution. You’ll be expected to think expansively while staying close to the details—building your own models, developing recommendations, and driving high-impact work from idea through execution.
Location: SF Bay Area or New York metro area preferred
About Hearst Magazines (Why Us?)
We create media that moves minds, products and ideas. Our portfolio of 30 iconic brands — including Cosmopolitan, Delish, Esquire, Good Housekeeping, Men’s Health and Road & Track — reaches nearly 130 million people each month. Our teams combine trusted journalism and cultural storytelling with technology, data and commerce to create experiences that inform, inspire and entertain audiences across generations and around the globe. Our business also includes Bring a Trailer, home to the automotive enthusiast community. And together, we are shaping what’s next.
Why Bring a Trailer?
Bring a Trailer (BaT) is the premier marketplace for buying and selling classic, collector, and enthusiast vehicles. We curate high-quality auction listings with transparency and authenticity, while our knowledgeable community helps buyers bid with confidence.
As part of Hearst Magazines, we offer the best of both worlds: a nimble, fast-paced entrepreneurial environment coupled with the career development opportunities and resources of an established company. Join our team and help deliver an exceptional experience to automotive enthusiasts around the world.
Key Responsibilities (What You Are Doing)
- Own financial planning and analysis across annual budgeting, rolling forecasts, long-range financial models, variance analysis, and scenario planning, ensuring financial plans reflect BaT’s strategic priorities and provide leadership with actionable insights.
- Shape BaT’s long-term growth strategy by partnering with leadership to develop the strategic plan, identify and size new opportunities across verticals, geographies, customer segments, and adjacencies, and translate priorities into measurable initiatives.
- Evaluate strategic partnerships and business development opportunities by building business cases and assessing revenue potential, customer value, brand fit, and operational feasibility; partner across product and operations to support effective execution.
- Assess M&A and investment opportunities through financial modeling, strategic fit analysis, due diligence, and integration planning, working closely with Hearst corporate development and legal teams to support potential transactions.
- Build executive-level reporting and decision frameworks that provide clear visibility into revenue, growth trends, operational performance, KPIs, and overall business health, using data to turn complex questions into compelling recommendations.
- Analyze monetization and expansion opportunities across pricing, new business initiatives, investments, and international markets while monitoring competitive and marketplace dynamics to keep leadership ahead of emerging opportunities and risks.
- Serve as BaT’s primary financial liaison to Hearst, coordinating with corporate finance, legal, and operational partners on planning, reporting, and key administrative matters while building strong relationships across BaT’s management team.
- Own essential financial operations including accounts payable, bookkeeping oversight, and board document preparation, bringing the same accuracy and accountability to day-to-day execution as to strategic initiatives.
Qualifications (What We’re Looking For)
- 7-12+ years of experience across strategy, business development, corporate development, financial strategy, or related work, ideally within a high-growth technology or digital marketplace environment; relevant investment banking or consulting experience is also valued.
- Strong financial modeling and analytical capabilities, with the ability to independently build models, pressure-test assumptions, develop scenarios, and translate quantitative analysis into clear business recommendations.
- Demonstrated experience evaluating or executing strategic partnerships, investments, M&A transactions, or other significant growth initiatives.
- Ability to operate as both a strategic thought partner and hands-on executor, moving comfortably between long-term business questions and the details required to deliver results.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to distill complex analyses for senior audiences and build trusted relationships across functions without relying on formal authority.
- An entrepreneurial, learning-oriented approach and comfort building processes, frameworks, and operating rhythms from the ground up in a lean, high-impact environment.
- Experience with technology, digital marketplaces, payments, or transaction-based business models is preferred; genuine enthusiasm for the automotive enthusiast community is a plus.
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience; an MBA or comparable advanced experience is a plus.
- This role may be performed remotely from one of the following states: CA, CO, DE, FL, IL, IN, MD, MI, MN, NY, NC, OH, PA, RI, TX, VA, WA, or WI. However, there is a strong preference for candidates based in New York City or San Francisco, with an expectation of weekly in-office presence.
Benefits (What We Offer)
- Work with the Best: Collaborate with top-tier professionals across media, advertising, tech, fashion, lifestyle and publishing, shaping the future of these dynamic industries.
- Grow Your Skills: Unlock your potential with access to innovative training programs, immersive workshops and exclusive industry events.
- Work-Life Harmony: Enjoy the flexibility of hybrid work, empowering you to balance professional success with personal priorities.
- Foster Connection & Belonging: Join our Employee Resource Groups and help create a welcoming workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered.
- Wellness First: Prioritize your well-being with a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision insurance from Day 1.
- Plan for Your Financial Future: Enjoy competitive financial benefits, including a 401(k) plan with a generous company match.
Compensation
The base salary range below is the Company's good-faith estimate for this position in the posted work location at the time of posting. Final starting salary will be based on permissible, non-discriminatory factors, including but not limited to skills, experience, training, certifications, education, location and market considerations.