Global Controller

Global Controller

Willow is scaling rapidly, and the finance function needs the accounting discipline, operational infrastructure, and leadership to scale with it. We're looking for a US-based Global Controller to lead accounting and finance operations across Willow's jurisdictions — with immediate ownership of the core reporting, controls, tax, payroll, and benefits processes that support the business every day.

This is a hands-on leadership role. In the near term, we need someone hands-on enough to build the foundation, not just direct the work. That means documenting policies and procedures, modernizing the finance tech stack, and building scalable processes — while still providing excellent support to Willow teams throughout.

The Global Controller will report to the CFO and lead Willow's accounting function globally, including oversight of the current APAC-based finance team. This role requires practical leadership across time zones, sufficient shared working time to support effective collaboration and coaching, and a mandate to continuously improve the finance operating model as Willow scales.

Two people we can picture in this role: the first is an experienced Controller from the SaaS or startup world — someone energized by a fast-moving environment, ready for broader scope and real ownership. The second is an experienced Controller from a larger organisation who is bored with the status quo and wants to move somewhere good judgment and strong execution can be felt immediately. If you are neither of these but you have the judgment, ownership, and builder mindset this role needs, we'd still very much like to hear from you.

What you'll do

• Global accounting operations & close
• Policies, procedures & scalable process design
• Finance systems & tech stack modernization
• Team leadership — globally
• Global finance operations, tax & compliance

What success looks like in year one

• The monthly close is disciplined, documented, and less dependent on heroic effort
• Revenue and COGS reporting is accurate, timely, and explainable without last-minute fire drills
• Consolidated financial reports are prepared every month without relying on manual intervention or single-person knowledge
• Core policies, procedures, calendars, and controls are documented and actively used by the team
• Spend management has been re-platformed — all Willow teams know their spend against budget, and procurement processes are well-defined with appropriate controls
• ERP migration is well underway with a clear timeline and roadmap
• The distributed finance team has clearer priorities, stronger accountability, and a more sustainable cadence for global collaboration
• Willow teams experience Finance as responsive, practical, and helpful through change

What is not in this role

• Owning FP&A on day one — we want someone who brings FP&A fluency and can partner with the CFO on board reporting and strategic finance work, but the immediate mandate is to establish a reliable, scalable accounting cadence first
• Operating as a purely strategic leader who delegates the details — this role requires someone willing to build, fix, document, and execute personally where needed

The long-term opportunity is broader than controllership, but the first mandate is clear: build the foundation, strengthen the roadmap through partnership, and raise the operating standard.

What we're looking for

• Deep accounting judgment — strong command of US GAAP and IFRS, including ASC 606 / IFRS 15 for revenue, ASC 718 / IFRS 2 for share-based payments, and ASC 842 / IFRS 16 for leases. You're comfortable with complexity and can distinguish between what needs to be perfect, what needs to be practical, and what needs to be flagged for visibility.
• A builder's mindset — you can create structure without needing a large team or perfect systems first. You know what good looks like across revenue, COGS, close, controls, tax, payroll, and reporting. You're comfortable documenting policies, designing processes, implementing tools, and improving the operating rhythm while the business keeps moving.
• Low ego, high EQ — you lead through trust, clarity, and service. You can support teams generously, challenge thoughtfully, and make Finance feel like an enabling function rather than a gatekeeper.
• Discernment — you can absorb ambiguity, see around corners, identify the real risk, and make pragmatic decisions without over-engineering the answer.
• A bias toward leverage — you look for smarter ways to get work done, using systems, automation, and AI where appropriate to improve accuracy, speed, visibility, and repeatability.
• Global operating range — you're comfortable leading across countries, currencies, cultures, and time zones, with both strong standards and practical flexibility.

You are effective before the environment is perfect. You can build structure, improve systems, and raise the operating standard while also identifying the process, tooling, and resourcing decisions required for Willow's next stage.

Essential experience

• 8–10+ years of progressive accounting and controllership experience, ideally including time in a global technology or SaaS business
• Strong knowledge of US GAAP and IFRS, revenue accounting, share-based payments, lease accounting, COGS reporting, close management, internal controls, and financial reporting
• Hands-on experience with multi-currency, multi-entity consolidating financial reporting
• Hands-on experience with US tax compliance and payroll accounting, including payroll tax, state and federal tax compliance, benefits accounting, reconciliations, and coordination with external tax advisors
• Experience leading or materially improving accounting processes, controls, systems, and documentation in a scaling environment
• Ability to lead distributed teams across time zones, including creating meaningful overlap with APAC-based finance colleagues
• US-based, fully remote. Strong preference for candidates located in WA, TX, NY, CA, NC, NV, MI, MA, MD, IL, GA, or FL

Valued experience

• CPA credential or equivalent technical accounting depth
• Experience implementing or optimizing ERP, spend management, close management, payroll, or reporting systems
• FP&A fluency, including experience supporting board reporting, investor requests, or strategic finance partnering
• Experience working in a venture-backed, private equity-backed, or high-growth international company
• Curiosity about AI, automation, and modern finance tooling

Compensation & Benefits

$175,000 – $210,000 base salary per year

Exact offer reflects your experience and the scope you bring to the role.

EQUITYRSUs — details discussed during the interview process. Meaningful upside as a small but mighty company.

HEALTH COVERAGE Medical, dental, vision, STD, LTD, Life & AD&D 100% of employee premiums covered; 95% of dependent premiums covered by Willow.

RETIREMENT 401(k) with 100% company match on the first 5% of contributions.

TIME OFF 20 days accrued vacation + 10 days paid sick leave + 8 paid holidays per year.

PARENTAL LEAVE Willow-paid parental leave, coordinated with applicable state leave programs.

REMOTE FIRST Fully remote. Strong preference for candidates located in WA, TX, NY, CA, NC, NV, MI, MA, MD, IL, GA, or FL. US West Coast hours preferred; meaningful overlap with APAC-based teammates required.

In accordance with applicable state pay transparency laws, the salary range and a general description of all benefits and other compensation have been disclosed above. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, skills, and other relevant factors.