How to apply for Director, Corporate Development & Strategic Finance

About Earth Force Technologies

Earth Force Technologies is a mission-driven startup using integrated computer vision hardware and software to combat the $20 trillion wildfire crisis. Their platform is deployed on forestry machines in remote forests, enabling real-time tree measurement and precision silviculture at scale, primarily for the U.S. Forest Service and its partners. Working here means directly contributing to climate resilience and protecting communities from catastrophic wildfires.

About the role

As Director of Corporate Development & Strategic Finance, you will partner with the CEO, executive team, and Board to drive capital strategy, strategic finance, and business development. You will be instrumental in scaling the company's impact by securing funding, building financial models, and supporting multi-year program agreements with government and industry partners. This role is pivotal in transitioning Earth Force from commercial deployment to full-scale growth.

A typical day

You might start your day with a financial modeling session to update the company's capital plan, followed by a meeting with the CEO to prepare for an upcoming Board meeting. Later, you could be on a call with potential investors or partners, crafting the narrative around Earth Force's technology and impact. You'll often collaborate with the operations and technical teams to ensure financial strategies align with deployment milestones.

Who Earth Force Technologies is looking for

• 7+ years of experience in investment banking, private equity, venture capital, or corporate development, with a strong track record in capital formation (equity/debt raises, project finance) and strategic finance.
• Deep expertise in financial modeling, valuation, and deal structuring, ideally with exposure to hardware, climate tech, or government contracting (e.g., USDA, USFS).
• Ability to work cross-functionally with technical teams, translating complex hardware/software metrics into compelling financial narratives for investors and partners.
• Experience supporting Board communications, investor relations, and strategic planning in a high-growth startup environment, with a passion for climate impact.

Tips for this application

• Quantify your capital-raising experience: specify amounts raised, deal types (equity, debt, grants), and outcomes in your resume and cover letter.
• Highlight any experience with government contracts or agencies like the U.S. Forest Service, as Earth Force's primary customers are federal and implementation partners.
• Demonstrate familiarity with climate tech or hardware-enabled SaaS business models, as the company's tech spans hardware to UI.
• Showcase your ability to work remotely and collaborate with distributed teams, as this is a remote full-time role.
• In your outreach, mention specific Earth Force milestones (e.g., 'commercially deployed and approaching scale') to show you've done your homework.

What to cover in your cover letter

['Your direct experience in capital formation and strategic finance, with concrete examples of successful raises or deals.', "Why you're passionate about Earth Force's mission to prevent wildfires and how your skills can accelerate their scale.", 'Your ability to partner with CEOs and Boards, and to translate technical milestones into financial strategy.', 'Any relevant experience with government contracting, climate tech, or hardware/software integration.']

Research before applying

• Earth Force's technology stack: understand how their computer vision systems work on forestry machines and the value proposition for customers.
• The U.S. Forest Service's wildfire mitigation programs and budget cycles, as they are a key customer and partner.
• Recent funding rounds, investors, and any public financials or press releases about Earth Force's growth trajectory.
• The competitive landscape in wildfire prevention tech and forestry equipment automation.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you approach capital formation for Earth Force given its stage (commercially deployed, approaching scale) and customer base (U.S. Forest Service)?
• Walk us through a financial model you built for a hardware or climate tech company, including key assumptions and outputs.
• How would you evaluate and prioritize strategic partnerships or M&A opportunities in the forestry/wildfire mitigation space?
• Describe your experience working with a Board of Directors and supporting investor relations in a high-growth startup.
• How would you measure and communicate the financial impact of Earth Force's technology to potential investors?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Focusing only on generic finance skills without connecting them to Earth Force's specific mission and stage.
• Underestimating the importance of government contracting experience and failing to address it in your application.
• Using a one-size-fits-all resume that doesn't highlight capital formation and strategic finance in a startup context.