Application Guide

How to Apply for Director of Finance

at Arbor Energy

🏢 About Arbor Energy

Arbor Energy is a mission-driven technology company focused on creating sustainable energy solutions that balance human needs with planetary protection. Their unique positioning at the intersection of technology, energy, and environmental impact makes them an attractive workplace for finance professionals who want their work to contribute to meaningful climate solutions while operating in a high-growth, venture-backed environment.

About This Role

As Director of Finance at Arbor Energy, you'll own the company's entire FP&A function and financial modeling ecosystem, serving as the central source of truth for financial assumptions across this capital-intensive technology business. This role is particularly impactful because you'll directly influence critical decisions about fundraising, manufacturing scale-up, and FOAK (first-of-a-kind) project deployment in a sector where financial precision determines both business success and environmental impact.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your day might start with updating the 13-week cash flow model based on latest vendor payments and customer collections, then move to refining scenario analyses for an upcoming board discussion about manufacturing scale-up. You'd likely spend afternoon hours partnering with the VP of Finance on investor materials for the next funding round, translating complex unit economics into clear insights for potential investors, while maintaining dashboards that provide real-time visibility into cash runway for executive decision-making.

🎯 Who Arbor Energy Is Looking For

  • Has 10+ years in analytical finance with specific experience in capital-intensive sectors like energy, infrastructure, or industrial technology, not just general FP&A
  • Possesses deep expertise in three-statement modeling, 13-week cash flows, and scenario analysis for venture-backed growth companies facing complex capital allocation decisions
  • Can demonstrate experience translating complex financial concepts for non-finance stakeholders in board and investor settings
  • Has worked at the intersection of project finance and corporate strategy, ideally with exposure to FOAK projects or manufacturing scale-up challenges

📝 Tips for Applying to Arbor Energy

1

Quantify your experience with capital-intensive businesses - mention specific dollar amounts of projects you've modeled or capital raises you've supported

2

Highlight any energy, infrastructure, or industrial technology experience prominently, as this is explicitly mentioned in requirements

3

Prepare a portfolio sample showing three-statement modeling and 13-week cash flow analysis (be ready to discuss in interviews)

4

Demonstrate understanding of venture-backed growth dynamics by discussing runway management and fundraising cycles in your experience

5

Show how you've served as 'source of truth' for financial assumptions in past roles - provide specific examples of complex trade-off analyses

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your experience with capital-intensive technology or energy businesses and how it prepares you for Arbor's FOAK project deployment challenges", 'Specific examples of building and maintaining three-statement models and 13-week cash flows for growth-stage companies', "How you've previously translated complex financial outcomes for non-finance stakeholders in board or investor settings", "Your approach to being the 'source of trust' for financial assumptions in fast-paced, uncertain environments"]

Generate Cover Letter →

🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • Arbor Energy's technology focus and how it fits into the broader sustainable energy landscape - understand what makes their approach unique
  • The capital intensity of energy technology deployment and manufacturing scale-up challenges in this sector
  • Recent trends in venture funding for climate tech and sustainable energy companies
  • FOAK (first-of-a-kind) project challenges in industrial technology and how financial modeling supports these initiatives

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk me through how you would build a three-statement model for a capital-intensive technology company scaling manufacturing
2 How would you approach scenario analysis for Arbor's upcoming capital raise given the uncertainties in energy technology deployment?
3 Describe a time you had to be the 'source of truth' for financial assumptions during a period of significant business uncertainty
4 How would you create dashboards that provide real-time visibility into cash burn for both finance and non-finance executives?
5 What experience do you have with FOAK (first-of-a-kind) projects or similar high-uncertainty capital allocation decisions?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Presenting only generic FP&A experience without highlighting capital-intensive sector expertise or venture-backed company experience
  • Focusing on accounting compliance rather than strategic financial modeling and scenario analysis capabilities
  • Failing to demonstrate understanding of the unique cash flow challenges in scaling hardware/industrial technology companies

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Arbor Energy!