At a Glance
- Tasks: Support finance, legal, and operations while designing innovative processes.
- Company: Join a pioneering tech company redefining finance with cutting-edge software.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, stock options, and generous leave policy.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and real impact.
- Why this job: Be part of a foundational team shaping the future of finance.
- Qualifications: 0-2 years experience in fast-paced environments; AI-native mindset required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Retire the ERP. Light exists to replace factory-era ERPs with software that feels alive. Our Smart Financial Platform gives modern, global companies superpowers—automated accounting, real-time reporting, and financial flows that move at the speed of the business. We build with our customers, ship fast, and obsess over craft. In a short time, Light has gone from idea to the operating core for leading companies like Lovable, Legora, and Keyshot. People don’t just use Light—they enjoy it. We’re an early team defining a new software category. Think engineers who love debits and credits, designers who care about reconciliation states, and operators who treat finance as a product. If you’re excited to modernise how the world runs money—one workflow at a time—you’re in the right place. Backed by world‑class investors and advised by industry titans, we’re building category‑defining products with the freedom to ship ambitiously and own outcomes. Come help us make Light the global default for next‑gen finance.
The Role
This is a foundational hire on Light’s Finance & Operations team. You will work directly with the Head of Finance & Operations across Finance, Legal & Compliance, People Operations, and General Operations providing execution‑layer support across all of them. Light is at the stage where the foundational processes are being built for the first time. Whoever is in this role will have a hand in designing how things work, not just running what already exists. That is a rare thing to be part of early in a career, and the experience compounds fast.
This is not a narrow role. On any given week you might be creating a new FinOps flow for vendor contracts tracking, helping set up a new equity structure or onboarding process, or mapping a compliance deadline across four jurisdictions. The common thread is precision, ownership, and the ability to move fast without losing detail.
We are deliberately looking for someone early in their career. Not as a cost decision, as a capability decision. The best person for this role thinks natively in modern tools and AI workflows, not in the processes those tools are replacing. If you have spent years optimising legacy ways of working, this is probably not the right fit. If you instinctively reach for automation before repetition, it might be exactly right.
This role can also be offered as a 3‑6 month internship with an option to convert to a full‑time role.
Responsibilities
- Work across finance operations, legal & compliance, people and general operations as an execution layer directly supporting the Head of Finance & Operations.
- Support finance operations and processes: vendor and customer tracking, finance flows across tools, etc.
- Support people operations from onboarding, HR data, contracting, etc.
- Manage the company’s legal document library, contract administration, and entity‑level filing obligations, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.
- Identify where recurring manual work can be automated or standardised, and build the AI‑based solution rather than waiting for someone else to do so.
What We Are Looking For
- 0–2 years of experience in a fast‑paced environment: MBB consulting, investment banking, a high‑growth startup, or a similarly demanding setting.
- Degree in business, economics, finance, accounting, or a related field with demonstrable academic strength.
- Solid accounting fundamentals and experience in financial modelling preferred - you understand how the numbers work and can build structured analysis in Excel.
- Exceptional attention to detail and genuine ownership, tasks get closed, not handed back.
- Genuinely AI‑native, you use AI tools daily, think in agents and automation first, and find manual repetitive workflows frustrating rather than comfortable. This is a hard filter, not a nice‑to‑have.
- A demonstrated interest in building, process improvements, internal tools, or workflow automation.
What This Role Is Not
This is not a role for someone looking for a defined lane and a steady queue of tasks. You will be working across multiple functions simultaneously, often without a playbook, reporting directly to someone who moves fast and expects the same. The breadth is a feature, not a bug, it requires genuine versatility and the confidence to navigate ambiguity without handholding.
The good stuff
- Competitive salary + potential stock options.
- 25 days of annual leave + public holidays.
AI Strategy & Operations Associate in London employer: Light
At Light, we pride ourselves on being an innovative employer that empowers our team to redefine finance through cutting-edge technology. Our collaborative work culture fosters creativity and ownership, allowing employees to contribute meaningfully from day one while enjoying competitive salaries, generous leave, and the potential for stock options. As part of a rapidly growing company backed by industry leaders, you'll have unparalleled opportunities for professional growth and the chance to shape the future of finance in a dynamic environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land AI Strategy & Operations Associate in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, especially those who work at Light or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that a job description just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by understanding the company’s mission and values. Light is all about modernising finance, so think about how your skills can contribute to that vision. Show them you're not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to demonstrate your AI-native mindset. Bring examples of how you've used automation in your past experiences. This role is all about innovation, so show us how you think outside the box!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Light team. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace AI Strategy & Operations Associate in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Innovation:When writing your application, let us see your excitement for modernising finance. Share examples of how you've embraced new tools or processes in your past experiences. We love candidates who think outside the box and are eager to contribute to our mission!
Be Specific About Your Skills:Highlight your skills in finance, operations, and AI tools clearly. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your understanding of financial concepts and your ability to automate processes. We want to know how you can bring value to our team right from the start!
Emphasise Attention to Detail:In a role where precision is key, make sure to showcase your attention to detail. Mention any experiences where you’ve successfully managed complex tasks or projects without missing a beat. This will show us that you can handle the fast-paced environment we thrive in.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it shows you’re proactive—just the kind of attitude we’re looking for!
How to prepare for a job interview at Light
✨Know Your Numbers
Brush up on your accounting fundamentals and financial modelling skills. Be ready to discuss how you understand financial flows and can build structured analyses in Excel. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the concepts but can apply them practically.
✨Show Your AI Savvy
Since this role is looking for someone who thinks natively in modern tools and AI workflows, be prepared to share examples of how you've used AI tools in your previous experiences. Highlight any instances where you've automated processes or improved workflows using technology.
✨Embrace Ambiguity
This position requires versatility and the ability to navigate through uncertainty. During the interview, demonstrate your comfort with ambiguity by sharing past experiences where you successfully managed multiple tasks without a clear playbook. Show that you thrive in fast-paced environments.
✨Detail-Oriented Mindset
Exceptional attention to detail is crucial for this role. Prepare to discuss specific examples where your meticulous nature helped close tasks effectively. You might even want to bring up a time when your focus on details prevented potential issues from arising.
