Finance and Business Operations Manager

At Community Phone, we believe that everyone deserves access to reliable and affordable communication services. We're a mission-driven company, committed to providing exceptional landline service that keeps our customers connected to what matters most- starting with our seniors who deserve a landline service that doesn't just connect them, but protects them. We're also revolutionizing the business landscape by keeping them in constant contact with their customers. No more missed opportunities or frustrating interactions with automated systems. We're not just providing a service; we're fostering relationships. 

Our innovative technology enables any traditional landline phone to connect over the cellular network through a SIM card inside of our landline base, ensuring uninterrupted service (with power back-up) without the need for Wi-Fi, while offering best in class software features like robust spam call blocking.  

As a venture-backed, Y-Combinator graduate, we've evolved from a small team in 2018 to now ~70 fully remote team members spread across 15 countries and even more time zones. We proudly serve over 20,000 customers and clients, ranging from seniors to small businesses to franchises across the United States. As we continue to grow, we're looking for folks who share our passion for improving the lives of our customers through both technology and human connection. 

Join us in redefining the narrative, where communication is personal, secure, and built on trust. Let's connect the dots – one call at a time.

We are seeking a highly skilled and adaptable Finance and Operations Manager to oversee financial controls, project management, and operations for a. You're a person from Finance who speaks Operations. Your ability to take ownership of these areas of the company will enable your peers in the company to develop products and go-to market at blazing speeds. This role requires a hands-on individual contributor with a strong finance background, capable of working independently to manage diverse responsibilities and drive the company towards cash-flow neutrality. 

The ideal candidate will have experience in financial operations, compliance, and cross-departmental collaboration, and they will be comfortable managing external partners and internal processes to ensure efficiency and accuracy. This is not a role for someone focused on lofty strategic planning but rather someone who thrives in a dynamic environment and is ready to roll up their sleeves to tackle challenges head-on.

Finance, Accounting, and Compliance:

• Manage financial controls and oversee relationships with external accounting and compliance firms 
• Collaborate with external Telecom Tax Compliance firms and internal legal teams, including General Counsel and Telecom Lawyers, to ensure compliance with industry regulations.
• Review and ensure accurate classification of monthly expenses in collaboration with the external accounting firm for timely month-end close.
• Project-manage telecom and sales tax registrations with external firm, including handling notices and escalating as needed.
• Research tax registration requirements for new products and identify potential cost-saving opportunities for customers.
• Coordinate bill approvals across departments to ensure timely processing (e.g., verifying and obtaining approvals for vendor invoices).
• Provide actionable insights to leadership on financial and operational improvements.

Cash Flow and Financial Strategy:

• Support strategic planning and negotiations to optimize COGS and drive the company toward cash-flow neutrality.
• Raise and track alerts related to unnecessary refunds and other cash flow issues, providing support for escalated concerns.
• Partner with leadership to identify and implement system-wide changes that bring the company closer to achieving cash-flow neutral status.

Project Management:

• Act as the primary project manager for cross-functional initiatives involving financial, compliance, and operational initiatives.
• Liaise with external partners to resolve financial notices, registrations, and compliance matters efficiently.
• Negotiate with government agencies, vendors, and other entities as needed to support financial and operational goals.
• Serve as a broad-spectrum contributor, taking ownership of diverse responsibilities and driving initiatives independently.
• Own and manage the company cap table, oversee stock issuance, and handle agreements with investors for equity-related matters.

• A strong background in finance, with a preference for candidates who lean towards finance rather than accounting.
• Experience working in an early stage start-up and handling financial responsibilities common for companies at this stage.
• Exceptional project management skills, with the ability to juggle multiple priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience working with external accounting, compliance, and legal partners.
• A proven ability to manage complex financial processes, including tax compliance, expense classification, and vendor approvals.
• A flare for dealing with vendors like state and federal government, regulatory bodies, supply chain vendors, etc.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with a focus on driving efficiency and cost savings.
• Self-motivated and adaptable, with the ability to work independently as an individual contributor.
• Experience in telecom or regulated industries is a plus.

Community Phone has a customer-obsessed culture. We are looking for team members who love our product and mission and see the remote first environment as a bonus. 

Beyond the job description, here are some traits members of our team share:

We value Curiosity and learning in our employees. We promote open-mindedness, embrace mistakes, and encourage challenging questions for personal growth. We create a culture of continuous learning to empower our team to tackle challenges and excel in their roles.

Efficiency Where it Counts. We operate lean, optimizing resources to improve our products and deliver a world-class customer experience. We prioritize value over excess, embodying a scrappy and resourceful spirit to achieve our mission and values.

We prioritize taking decisive action over deliberation, recognizing that building a world-class product requires pushing personal limits and taking risks. We believe that a Bias Toward Action is essential for achieving our goals and delivering exceptional results to our customers.

We strive for Transparency and prioritize open, Direct communication. This helps us resolve issues quickly and build strong relationships with our stakeholders.

We take our work seriously and see it as a reflection of who we are. We're always looking for ways to improve and are open to feedback. We approach our work with a sense of ownership and a desire to deliver the best possible results. By embodying a Founder Mindset, we're able to achieve our goals and create exceptional products.

We value a Caring Mentality. Our customers come first, and we collaborate to provide exceptional service. We prioritize teamwork over personal accolades, fostering a customer-focused culture that drives our success and promotes a supportive work environment.

Our range for this position is between $110,000-$130,000 base salary + equity. Total compensation is based on several factors that are unique to each candidate. These factors include (but are not limited to) job-related knowledge and skill set, depth of experience, certifications and/or degrees, and specific work location.