At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape financial strategies for multiple AI and SaaS startups while building their financial foundations.
- Company: AINAD, a dynamic UK-based venture studio focused on AI and tech-enabled ventures.
- Benefits: Flexible work structure, competitive pay, and significant long-term impact on multiple startups.
- Other info: Collaborate closely with founders and investors in a hybrid work environment.
- Why this job: Be a strategic partner in shaping finance across innovative ventures, not just one.
- Qualifications: Senior finance experience in startups, especially in B2B SaaS or AI products.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
AINAD is looking for a CFO-in-Residence to build the financial foundations of our AI-native, tech-enabled ventures and to shape how we do finance, planning and fundraising across the studio.
About AINAD
AINAD is a UK-based venture studio that builds and scales AI and SaaS companies across sectors like health, education, fintech and productivity. We act as a hands‑on co‑founder to our ventures, providing product, engineering, growth, capital and operating support so they can move from concept to scale faster and with more discipline.
The Role
As CFO-in-Residence, you are the senior finance leader across the studio. You’ll work directly with selected portfolio companies as a fractional/embedded CFO, while also defining the finance playbook for AINAD as a whole. This is not a back‑office role, it’s a strategic, operator-level position for someone who wants to shape financial models, fundraising readiness, and business decisions across multiple startups. It’s ideal for a senior finance leader who has built finance functions in startups or scale‑ups and now wants to apply that experience across several ventures instead of just one.
What You’ll Do
- Define and refine AINAD’s finance playbook: budgeting, forecasting, runway planning, KPI frameworks and board/investor reporting.
- Act as strategic finance partner for selected ventures, especially from pre‑seed/seed through early growth.
- Build and maintain financial models (revenue scenarios, hiring plans, unit economics, burn and runway) that founders can actually use to make decisions.
- Support pricing, monetisation and commercial model design, ensuring plans are both ambitious and financially realistic.
- Design stage‑appropriate finance ops for ventures (monthly reporting, cash management, spend controls, basic controls and workflows).
- Prepare ventures for fundraising: financial models, traction narratives, metrics, data rooms and investor Q&A.
- Join key investor conversations where senior finance credibility and clarity are important.
- Define and track core financial and business KPIs (ARR/NRR, burn, runway, CAC, payback, contribution margin) and build simple dashboards/reporting.
- Advise founders on when and how to hire their first finance roles; support interviewing and onboarding as needed.
- Coach founders to become more financially literate and confident in capital allocation, risk, and growth decisions.
What We’re Looking For
- Significant senior finance experience (CFO, VP Finance, Head of Finance, Strategic Finance Lead) in startups or scale‑ups, ideally in B2B SaaS and/or AI‑led products.
- Proven track record building and owning startup financial models, budgets, and board‑level reporting.
- Experience supporting fundraising rounds (pre‑seed/seed/Series A+), due diligence and investor communication.
- Strong grasp of startup finance fundamentals: runway, burn, unit economics, cohort/gross margin dynamics and scenario planning.
- Ability to connect finance to product, GTM and operations – you think like a business partner, not a scorekeeper.
- Comfortable working across multiple ventures and switching context while keeping depth and rigour.
- Excellent communication skills; able to explain financial trade‑offs and risks in clear, practical language.
- High ownership, low ego and a genuine enjoyment of early‑stage ambiguity and hands‑on company building.
What We Offer
- A “CFO with leverage” role: shape the financial foundations of multiple ventures rather than just one.
- Significant influence over how AINAD approaches capital efficiency, venture economics and fundraising.
- Close collaboration with founders, product leaders, commercial leaders and investors on ambitious early‑stage ideas.
- Flexible structure (full‑time or high‑commitment fractional, to be agreed) with competitive compensation and meaningful long‑term upside aligned to impact.
- The opportunity to help multiple AI and SaaS startups avoid common financial pitfalls and build healthier businesses from day one.
Location
Hybrid / flexible, with a preference for candidates who can spend meaningful time in the UK (especially London) and occasionally join in‑person sessions with founders and the studio team.
If you’re a senior finance leader who loves building, not just reporting, and you want to apply that across several AI‑native ventures, we’d love to hear from you. Please apply with your CV/LinkedIn and a short note on why this CFO‑in‑Residence role at AINAD appeals to you.
CFO-in-Residence in London employer: AINAD
AINAD is an exceptional employer for finance professionals, offering a unique opportunity to shape the financial foundations of multiple AI and SaaS ventures. With a collaborative work culture that values hands-on involvement and strategic thinking, employees can expect significant influence over capital efficiency and venture economics while enjoying flexible working arrangements. The role of CFO-in-Residence not only allows for personal growth through direct engagement with founders and investors but also provides a chance to make a meaningful impact across various innovative startups in a dynamic environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land CFO-in-Residence in London
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like AINAD. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace CFO-in-Residence in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to AINAD.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on AINAD's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at AINAD
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with AINAD.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at AINAD will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former AINAD employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
