Chief Financial Officer
Accounting & Finance
North Carolina, USA · Durham, NC, USA · 3, NC, USA · Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, USA · Raleigh, NC, USA · 5, NC, USA · 1, NC, USA · 2, NC, USA · Remote
Posted on Sep 29, 2026
. Headquartered in North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park, NALA’s pioneering technology makes water reuse and desalination cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and scalable. NALA is seeking a talented financial leader with a demonstrated track record of raising both institutional VC equity and non-dilutive debt for complex manufacturing. Ideal candidates will be able to build and run a capital plan to enable NALA to scale pilots into repeatable production while protecting unit economics and cash runway. NALA's CFO will partner with the CEO and executive team to create, implement, and manage the company’s financial strategy. They will lead the organization's financial planning and accounting practices, as well as its relationships with lending institutions, shareholders, and the financial community, by performing the following duties personally or through subordinate managers. Key Responsibilities- Financial Operations & Reporting: Execute, lead, and oversee the organization's operating financial strategy; align accounting, budgeting, forecasting, audits, tax, real estate, insurance, and cash flow with business objectives; ensure accurate, timely, compliant reporting; assist with payroll, benefits, contributions, and budgeting for salaries and hires; own the monthly board financial package and stability/growth reports.- Financial Strategy and Planning: Develop and execute long‑term financial strategy and budgeting aligned to business objectives and R&D; translate membrane pilot‑to‑production milestones into a 3‑year model outlining hiring, capex, working capital, and cash runway tied to decision gates and capital requirements.- R&D and Capital Management: Oversee capital raising, debt financing, investor relations, and grant funding; evaluate partnering opportunities; maintain relationships with stockholders, financial institutions, and the investment community; lead end‑to‑end equity and debt fundraising; design/execute covenant and compliance reporting during manufacturing ramp.- Risk Management & Compliance: Identify, manage, and mitigate financial risks; report monthly to leadership and the board.- Financial & Strategic Leadership: Collaborate with R&D, operations, sales, and the CEO to optimize cost management, pricing models, and operational efficiencies; provide insights for decisions; own unit economics and ROI analyses; build standard cost/variance tracking; run sensitivities and capital allocation recommendations; lead complex supply chain and partnership structuring. Position Requirements- Leadership: Builds credibility across R&D and manufacturing; runs a tight operating cadence; hires and develops a lean finance team and sets clear accountability.- Fundraising & Capital Strategy Design: Proven track record raising institutional VC equity and closing at least one non‑dilutive debt facility for a complex manufacturing company; comfortable negotiating covenants and explaining manufacturing ramp risk.- Performance Coaching: Defines responsibilities and expectations; sets goals; gives feedback; motivates; recognizes contributions; encourages development.- Business Partnership: Partners with leaders to create metrics, implement usage, and explain metrics to the Board and investors.- Manufacturing scale‑up & capital allocation: Hands‑on analytical experience building unit economics and standard cost models; quantifies sensitivities and recommends capital deployment for highest risk‑adjusted ROI.- Problem Solving, Communication, Change Management, Ethics as described. Education and/or Experience- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent; Master’s preferred.- 10+ years related experience and/or training, including senior finance leadership in high‑growth manufacturing (Seed–Series B preferred).- Experience scaling complex manufacturing with ownership of unit economics, inventory/working capital, and cost accounting; biotech or manufacturing required.- Demonstrated early‑stage fundraising track record: diligence, term sheets, covenants, investor/lender reporting. Language SkillsFluency in English. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents; effectively present to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.