Director of Finance

Spark Car Wash Overview

Spark Car Wash is a high growth, institutionally backed express exterior car wash company serving the Northeast. Spark is growing fast and plans to open a significant number of modern car wash locations throughout NJ, NY, and PA. Spark’s success is driven by a relentless focus on making the car wash an energizing experience for all, delivering a consistently excellent experience for customers and creating an enriching environment for employees. Guided by our values, Spark’s vision is to become the largest car wash operator in the region and the premier car wash brand in the market.

Position Summary

Spark Car Wash is seeking a Director of Finance to lead financial planning, forecasting, and performance analysis while providing strategic insights that drive business decisions across the organization. Reporting to the VP of Finance, this position will play a key leadership role in driving financial performance and supporting the company’s continued growth. The Director of Finance will oversee a Strategic Finance Analyst.

The Director of Finance will partner closely with senior leadership and cross-functional teams to strengthen financial visibility, evaluate growth opportunities, and improve business performance. As Spark continues to scale, this role will be instrumental in building a modern, technology-driven finance function by leveraging AI, automation, and advanced analytical tools to improve efficiency and decision-making.

The role is based at Spark's corporate headquarters in Summit, NJ, with an on-site schedule Monday through Thursday and the option to work remotely on Fridays.

Essential Functions

Financial Planning and Analysis

• Monthly Financial Reporting: Prepare monthly management reporting, including MD&A, KPI reporting, and budget-to-actual variance analyses, using finalized financial results to provide actionable business insights and reporting to stakeholders to drive business decisions.

• Planning and Budgeting: Lead the annual budget and rolling forecast processes.

• Reforecasting: provide monthly trend analyses and fulsome quarterly reforecasting to update performance vs. expectations.

Analytical Tools

• Financial Modeling: Develop, maintain, and improve financial models related to store performance, budget, capital expenditures, liquidity, and other key areas of the business.

• AI, Reporting & Process Optimization: Leverage AI, automation, and advanced analytical tools to develop meaningful business reporting, dashboards, and reporting packages that support data-driven decision-making. Identify opportunities to streamline workflows, improve efficiency, and serve as an internal subject matter expert and business partner in driving AI adoption across the organization.

Board and Lender Engagement

• Board Materials: Prepare materials for quarterly board meetings with a high degree of independence, clarity, and analytical rigor.

• Lender Packages: Engage with lenders on new deal opportunities through putting together comprehensive lender packages with site underwriting as well as assisting in the close process.

• Compliance Reporting: Put together monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting as it relates to ongoing compliance obligations.

Business Collaboration and Insights

• Strategic Business Partnership: Partner closely with Sales Operations, Marketing, and other corporate functions to provide financial insights and actionable recommendations that support key business decisions, drive revenue growth, and improve profitability.

• Business Performance Analysis: Analyze business performance, identify trends and opportunities, and deliver meaningful reporting to help maximize revenue and operational efficiency.

Strategic Projects

• Real Estate Underwriting: Support in the development of tools to better underwrite real estate capital decisions.

• Ad-hoc Analysis: Conduct ad-hoc data analysis to support strategic decision-making such as pricing analysis, customer analysis, benchmarking, and real-estate sizing.

• Process Improvements: identify and implement new processes and analytical tools to analyze performance and evaluate new opportunities

Required Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degreerequired
• A minimum of 8+ years of progressive experience in corporate finance, strategic finance, or FP&A

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities  

• Strong financial modeling and analysis skills
• Proficiency in AI tools (Claude, ChatGPT, Parabola, Placer.AI)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and PowerPoint
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complex information clearly

• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives and managing multiple priorities in fast-paced settings
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to turn data into actionable insights
• Advanced proficiency in creating executive-level presentations and materials
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and comfortable operating in ambiguity
• Ability to partner closely with senior leaders and exercise sound judgment and discretion
• High ownership mindset and alignment with Spark’s values

Preferred Skills, Experience, Education

• Experience in private equity-backed environments  
• Prior experience in working in multi-unit, development, or consumer retail-oriented companies

Physical Job Requirements

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times

Travel Requirements

• This position requires overnight domestic travel less than 25% of the time
• This position commutes between stores and headquarters less than 25% of the time

• Competitive base pay salary plus annual performance-based bonus
• Comprehensive health benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401k Plan (+4% company match)
• Four weeks paid time off plus company paid holidays
• Company laptop and branded gear and free car washes at all Spark locations