Financial Operations Lead

About Fora Fora is the modern travel agency, redefining what it means to be a travel advisor in today’s world. We’re a next-generation platform that provides a comprehensive, business-in-a-box solution —combining cutting-edge technology , personalized training , a vibrant community , and exclusive industry partnerships —all designed to empower anyone with a passion for travel to turn that passion into a thriving business. Whether you're a travel enthusiast or an experienced professional, Fora equips you with everything needed to launch and scale a successful travel advisory business , making it the ultimate way to align work with your lifestyle. At the heart of Fora is our mission: to power the next generation of travel entrepreneurs to transform their love for travel into a fulfilling full-time or part-time career, offering unparalleled flexibility, autonomy, and support. We believe that everyone, from seasoned travel professionals to first-time entrepreneurs, can build a career that’s both profitable and aligned with their passions. Our platform combines innovative technology with the human touch, offering: Best-in-class training programs to help agents develop expert knowledge, no matter their starting point. A powerful suite of tools for booking, client management, and marketing, ensuring agents can focus on delivering exceptional travel experiences. Access to an engaged community of fellow advisors, fostering collaboration, support, and shared learning. Exclusive partnerships with top travel brands, providing access to competitive rates, perks, and experiences that elevate advisors’ offerings. Since our founding in 2021 by experienced travel entrepreneurs Henley Vazquez , Jake Peters , and Evan Frank , Fora has experienced rapid growth, expanding to a team of 180 + full-time employees based in downtown New York City . Earlier this year, we announced our $60 million Series B and C investment rounds , led by Thrive Capital and Insight Partners , with participation by previous investors including Forerunner and Heartcore Capital. This funding represents a vote of confidence in the enduring power of entrepreneurship, and secures our ability to build a category-defining travel brand. We have a vision for the future that leverages the best of humans and the best of technology to create the first truly unified platform for all travel needs - from staycation to the safari. We\'re proud of the recognition we've received, including: LinkedIn’s Top Startups List 2024 Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies 2025 and 2023 Built In 2025 Best Places to Work And several "top agency" awards from our fantastic partners including Virtuoso, IHG, Four Seasons, and more Fora is a mission-driven company that believes in the power of entrepreneurship, community, and passion. As we continue to grow, we are looking for more talented and like-minded individuals to join our team - people who are excited about transforming the travel space and helping us scale our vision globally. About The Role Fora is seeking a Financial Operations Lead to help build and scale the operational systems that ensure advisor payouts are accurate, timely, and trusted. This role owns some of the most complex workflows within Financial Operations and operates at the intersection of ops and product execution. A core area of ownership will be variance operations: an operationally intensive layer of advisor payouts, where discrepancies between expected and actual partner payments are resolved and increasingly prevented through automation and better controls to ensure timely and accurate commission payouts. Reporting to the Financial Operations Senior Manager, you’ll work cross-functionally with Product, Engineering, and Accounts Receivable, guide an offshore team, and contribute to broader Financial Ops initiatives as the function scales. Key Responsibilities Financial Operations Ownership Own and operate critical Financial Operations workflows that directly impact advisor payout accuracy and timeliness, with primary ownership over variance operations Design and manage the end-to-end variance resolution system, including prioritization, routing, escalation, and resolution Process, Automation, and Scale Build, document, and continuously improve SOPs across variance and adjacent Financial Ops processes to increase accuracy, efficiency, and scalability Partner with Product and Engineering to automate variance workflows and reduce manual operational effort over time Use variance insights to improve upstream booking ingestion by tightening logging requirements, partner mapping, and validation systems. Cross-Functional Execution Work closely with Accounts Receivable to streamline cross-team workflows and handoffs for faster issue resolution Act as a day-to-day operational partner to Product, Engineering on payout-related tooling. Metrics & Continuous Improvement Define, track, and analyze operational KPIs related to variance Balance short-term fixes with long-term system improvements to drive sustainable operational scale Requirements 3–5 years of experience in management consulting or in an operations role at a high-growth startup Experience building, implementing, and improving operational processes Strong analytical and data-oriented skill set, with experience using metrics to drive decisions Demonstrated ability to operate independently and take ownership in ambiguous environments Strong problem-solving, prioritization, and decision-making skills Clear verbal communication skills and comfort working cross-functionally Highly organized, resourceful, and metrics-driven working style Able to work in the U.S. and currently based in NYC or willing to relocate Strongly Preferred Finance background or experience working on financial or accounting-related operations Experience working with offshore teams Project management experience Experience creating and maintaining SOPs AI-first or automation-oriented operational mindset Compensation Compensation for this role varies based on experience, with an indicative range of $95–$130k + equity. Final compensation will depend on the level at which the candidate is hired, as we’re considering multiple levels for this role. Unlimited vacation Health Insurance (including an option completely covered by Fora HQ) Dental & Vision Insurance Wellhub Memberships 401k plan with company match Commuter Benefits Supplemental Life Insurance Stock Options This role is based in our beautiful New York City office (Tribeca/Fidi) with lots of natural light and great views. Our Values We’re forging our own path Community is our cornerstone and collective power is our strength. We believe we can all go further when we operate together, using our combined leverage to unlock better opportunities and outcomes for our advisors, partners, and travelers. We believe in technology We believe technology is an answer to some of the most fundamental challenges the travel industry faces. We believe advancements in AI, bold investments in our platforms, and a world-class data infrastructure will transform the work of our advisors and our partners, while creating better travel experiences for travelers. We’re here to serve We operate in service of our community and believe that when they’re empowered to focus on what they do best, we all win. It’s why we relentlessly advocate for our advisors and prioritize their best interest every step of the way. We mean business Fora is equal parts fun, meaningful work and serious travel business. We’re unlocking opportunities for thousands of travel entrepreneurs, delivering a stream of high-quality guests at scale for our partners, and providing a superior travel experience for our travelers. It’s a better equation for the future of our industry. Work Authorization You must have authorization to work in the United States. Fora is unable to assist applicants with obtaining work authorization. Equal Opportunity Fora is committed to an equitable hiring process and an inclusive work environment. BIPOC and traditionally underrepresented candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We will not discriminate and will take action to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran\'s status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or any other characteristic protected by law. #J-18808-Ljbffr Fora Travel