Director, Strategic Finance

Experienced Hire Corporate McLean, Virginia

Here at Appian, our core values of Respect, Work to Impact, Ambition, and Constructive Dissent & Resolution define who we are. In short, this means we constantly seek to understand the best for our customers, we go beyond completion in our work, we strive for excellence with intensity, and we embrace candid communication. These values guide our actions and shape our culture every day. When you join Appian, you'll be part of a passionate team that's dedicated to accomplishing hard things.

We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Director of Strategic Finance to join our growing finance team. In this pivotal role, you will sit at the intersection of FP&A, Sales and Investor Relations. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of SaaS business models, extensive experience with various pricing strategies, and a strong background in financial modeling. This leader will be responsible for leading the development and measurement of all revenue metrics, providing actionable insights that guide our go-to-market and product strategies. This position requires someone who can translate financial data into actionable business strategies and thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.

In this role, you will :

Own Appian’s revenue modeling and its future evolution as the company incorporates changes to enterprise software pricing.

Lead the definition, development, tracking, and reporting of all critical SaaS revenue metrics, including but not limited to ARR, NRR, churn, and sales cycle length. Ensure accuracy, consistency, and actionable insights from these metrics.

Analyze the financial impact of various SaaS pricing models (e.g., per-user, consumption-based, tiered, feature-based) and recommend optimal strategies to maximize revenue and profitability. Partner with product and sales teams on pricing adjustments and new product monetization.

Partner with the sales and legal teams on complex enterprise deals, evaluating pricing structures, commercial terms, and their impact on profitability and revenue recognition.

Collaborate with the entire FP&A team on creating and maintaining the consolidated company financial model.

Develop and maintain scalable processes to enhance visibility into financial forecasts and performance, collaborating with teams across the business to maximize predictability.

Drive special projects and conduct ad-hoc analyses to support decision making, including new products, marketing program spend, and other growth initiatives

Prepare presentations and analysis for senior Finance leadership and Appian’s executive team.

Participate in special projects and initiatives as required.

Qualifications :

10+ years of progressive experience in FP&A, strategic finance, or investment banking experience in a leadership or senior individual contributor role.

Proven expertise and hands-on experience with multiple SaaS pricing models and their financial implications.

Deep understanding of SaaS business models, key metrics, and revenue recognition principles (ASC 606).

Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively interact with all levels of the organization and external stakeholders.

Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Exceptional modeling and analytical skills, with fluency in planning tools like Excel, Anaplan, Power BI, and Tableau

High comfort level operating in dynamic, ambiguous environments with a bias toward execution and results

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, or related discipline; MBA or CFA strongly preferred

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Tools and Resources

• Training and Development : During onboarding, we focus on equipping new hires with the skills and knowledge for success through department-specific training. Continuous learning is a central focus at Appian, with dedicated mentorship and the First-Friend program being widely utilized resources for new hires.
• Growth Opportunities : Appian provides a diverse array of growth and development opportunities, including our leadership program tailored for new and aspiring managers, a comprehensive library of specialized department training through Appian University, skills based training, and tuition reimbursement for those aiming to advance their education. This commitment ensures that employees have access to a holistic range of development opportunities.
• Community : We’ll immerse you into our community rooted in respect starting on day one. Appian fosters inclusivity through our 8 employee-led affinity groups. These groups help employees build stronger internal and external networks by planning social, educational, and outreach activities to connect with Appianites and larger initiatives throughout the company.

About Appian

Appian is a software company that automates business processes. The Appian AI-Powered Process Platform includes everything you need to design, automate, and optimize even the most complex processes, from start to finish. The world's most innovative organizations trust Appian to improve their workflows, unify data, and optimize operations—resulting in better growth and superior customer experiences. For more information, visit appian.com . [Nasdaq : APPN]

Appian is an equal opportunity employer that strives to attract and retain the best talent. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Appian provides reasonable accommodations to applicants in accordance with all applicable laws. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email atReasonableAccommodations@appian.com . Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.

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