Strategic Financial Analyst (Professional Services Business Partner)

We are rebuilding biotech for the AI era. When a breakthrough is delayed, the world waits. Getting a molecule from discovery to patients, or a crop from lab to field, involves thousands of slow, manual, disconnected steps. AI has the potential to change this, compressing decades of R&D work into years. But that only happens when clean, structured scientific data and AI are built into how science gets done. Benchling is the AI platform for biotech R&D. Scientists use Benchling to design experiments, capture structured data, and run AI agents and models directly in their workflows. Over 200,000 scientists around the world trust Benchling to power their most important work, from academic labs to Sanofi, Moderna, and more than half of the world's top 50 biopharma. We’re building an AI scientist for our customers. We can’t do that if we haven’t built the muscle ourselves. AI fluency is the foundation we build on; it's core to how we work, and we're committed to helping every new hire integrate it into their day-to-day. As part of our interview process, you'll complete a brief AI-focused exercise or discussion so we can understand how you think about and use AI to drive impact in your role. Feel free to reference any tools, platforms, or workflows you use today. ROLE OVERVIEW We are looking for an experienced Strategic Financial Analyst, CX to join our Strategic Finance team, reporting to the Strategic Finance Leader, Sales & CX. You will be an integral part of a small and highly-leveraged team supporting the CX organization, including monthly and quarterly close process, CX team performance analysis, budgeting and forecasting, expense management and analysis, as well as special projects to help support the company’s long-term growth and strategic vision. Additionally, you will be expected to expand beyond typical financial responsibilities and act as a strategic thought partner to the business leaders, including driving ad-hoc analysis and other project work. Expectations also include working cross-functionally and establishing/improving processes to enable Benchling’s continued growth. RESPONSIBILITIES - Work closely with our CX teams, and be a key thought partner supporting their efforts as our business grows - Analyze financial results, understand key trends, assess current and future business risks and opportunities, and communicate insights - Drive operational reporting including PS & Success Package P&L management, monthly/quarterly management reports and executive dashboards - Support the company-wide annual and long-range planning processes - Collaborate with CX teams and Accounting on month-end close activities, vendor trend reviews and allocations - Lead the coordination of the annual budgeting and quarterly forecasting processes including revenue, headcount planning, program spend and other key metrics based on operational performance - Enable resource planning and capacity & utilization modeling for our Professional Services team - Facilitate and drive ad hoc financial modeling and analysis for special projects - Provide recommendations and drive the improvement to automate reporting and streamline processes - Partner with business leaders to drive strategic initiatives influencing business decisions and by providing proactive recommendations, backed by strong business and financial analysis QUALIFICATIONS This is an excellent opportunity for someone early in their finance career looking to develop broad exposure across FP&A, strategic planning, and business partnering. Must Haves: - Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Economics or equivalent area. - 2-4 years experience in FP&A/Strategic Finance at a High Growth Startup or Public Company (Enterprise Software / SaaS experience a plus) - Strong understanding and substantial knowledge of complex financial modeling, GAAP accounting and FP&A best practices - Strong Communication Skills - ability to think logically, rationally, and strategically in order to d