Director of Finance & Administration

Location: Phoenix, Arizona

Position Overview

Seeking a Director of Finance & Administration to lead and strengthen the corporate management functions of our U.S. operations. This role serves as a critical bridge between the U.S. entity and headquarters in Japan, ensuring financial discipline, governance, and organizational alignment.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with strong expertise in finance and administration, capable of navigating cross-cultural dynamics and building a robust management infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management & Treasury

• Oversee all financial operations including budgeting, forecasting, and reporting
• Manage cash flow and liquidity, including addressing funding-related challenges
• Develop and implement effective cash management strategies
• Collaborate with headquarters on financial planning and capital allocation

Governance & Internal Controls

• Establish and enhance internal control frameworks
• Strengthen corporate governance across the U.S. entity
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations and internal policies
• Improve financial transparency and reporting accuracy

Organizational Leadership

• Lead and develop the administrative team (including IT/Admin Manager and part-time staff)
• Provide leadership and oversight to expatriate employees (engineering and sales functions)
• Address organizational challenges, including compensation expectations and internal conflicts
• Build a structured and accountable management environment

Headquarters Collaboration (Critical)

• Act as the primary liaison between Japan headquarters and U.S. operations
• Translate headquarters’ strategies into actionable initiatives locally
• Align U.S. operations with global direction and priorities
• Manage and resolve cross-border communication gaps and friction

HR & Administration

• Oversee HR policies, labor relations, and compliance
• Develop and implement employee handbooks and workplace policies
• Manage overall administrative functions including IT and general affairs
• Build scalable and sustainable corporate infrastructure

Current Challenges

• Misalignment and friction between headquarters and U.S. operations
• Insufficient governance and control over expatriate staff
• Gaps in financial management, particularly in cash and funding strategy
• Limited depth in administrative and management functions

Qualifications

Required

• Strong background in Finance (FP&A, accounting, treasury, or related fields)
• Experience in corporate governance and internal controls
• Proven leadership experience managing administrative or cross-functional teams
• Experience working in U.S. business environments
• Hands-on experience managing accounting operations using QuickBooks (or similar systems)
• Fluency in both Japanese and English (verbal and written) is required
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills

Preferred

• Experience in Japanese companies or cross-border (U.S.–Japan) environments
• Combined experience in Finance and Administration (including HR)
• Understanding of cultural and decision-making differences between Japan and the U.S.

Candidate Profile

• Mid-career to senior-level professional (typically 15+ years of experience)
• Hands-on, execution-oriented leader
• Strong communicator with the ability to mediate across cultures
• Capable of balancing governance, diplomacy, and business needs
• Comfortable operating in a developing organizational structure

Compensation

• Salary Range: $150,000 – $200,000
• Benefits: Competitive and aligned with market standards