Strategic Finance Associate

About Gateway Fiber

Gateway Fiber is a growing fiber infrastructure and internet service provider committed to positively impacting the communities we serve through better connectivity and an exceptional customer experience. Backed by CBRE Investment Management, Gateway develops, owns, and operates fiber networks serving residential customers, small and medium-sized businesses, and schools and libraries across the United States. With an expanding fiber-to-the-premise footprint and a robust pipeline of future markets, Gateway is building a scaled broadband platform focused on delivering fast, reliable connectivity, exceptional service, and a customer-first experience.

Our People Philosophy

We believe employees thrive when they feel cared for both personally and professionally. Everyone at Gateway has visibility into the company’s direction and understands how their work contributes to culture and performance. We value transparency, open feedback, autonomy, and a strong sense of teamwork.

Role Overview

The Strategic Financial Associate will support key aspects of Gateway’s M&A, financial and strategic planning, including but not limited to business case and capital scenario planning, annual forecasting and budgeting, and operational and board reporting. The role will require a high level of analytical and cross functional collaboration with internal and external stakeholders and will have the key ownership responsibility of managing aspects of M&A diligence and the company’s financial model, a critical tool utilized to support all key aspects of Gateway’s financial and strategic planning. The position will require an exceptional individual expected to operate with a high degree of autonomy in support of senior leadership and investment stakeholders, including interacting with Gateway’s equity sponsor, CBRE IM. 

Key Responsibilities

• M&A and Corporate Development Support
  • Build acquisition models and valuation analyses, including $/passing, $/subscriber, revenue and EBITDA multiples, DCF/IRR and accretion/dilution.
  • Maintain valuation comparables and transaction precedent databases.
  • Support IOIs/LOIs, diligence, management presentations and investment committee/Board materials.
  • Evaluate acquisition opportunities against the economics of organically constructing equivalent network.
• Support the Maintance of Gateway's corporate financial model (scenario analysis), including income statement, cash flow, balance sheet, subscriber/passings, capex, debt and equity funding schedules.  
  • Preparation and presentation of materials for business case analysis, forecasting scenarios, and investment committee discussions, as well as assisting in preparing strategic materials for senior management and board level discussions.   
  • Build sensitivities around penetration, ARPU, churn, construction costs, build pace, timing, leverage and financing assumptions. 
  • Participation in all aspects of financial planning, including strategy development, review of management reporting, and attendance at relevant management meetings.
• Develop scenario analysis for management decisions and Board discussions.
  • Preparation of detailed business case analyses and decision recommendations, which will include but won’t be limited to outlining key components of the thesis, including merits, risks, market and industry trends, track record evaluations, competitor assessments, and other supporting research. 
• Monthly Performance & KPI Analysis
  • Analyze performance versus budget, forecast and prior periods. 
  • Develop market-level and consolidated reporting around revenue, EBITDA, capex, passings, subscribers, penetration, churn and ARPU. 
  • Identify the operational drivers behind variances rather than simply reporting them.
  • Manage recurring management dashboards and KPI reporting.
• Other key responsibilities will include but are not limited to evaluation of organic growth opportunities, assistance with potential pre and post-merger integration planning, participation in  FP&A’s on ongoing long-range planning, and Adhoc projects for Gateway’s CFO, CEO, and VP of Finance.

Qualifications

Experience & Background

• 2-4 years of experience in private equity (ideally infrastructure), infrastructure related investment banking, transaction services, consulting, or relevant commercial roles in sectors such as data centers, cell towers, utilities, or real estate. 
• Strong academic record and bachelor’s degree, with MBA designation viewed as a benefit. 

Skills & Competencies

• Strong qualitative and quantitative analytical skills including financial modeling, valuation, and due diligence.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication; strong team collaboration and time management abilities.
• Resourceful, persistent, and able to quickly absorb and synthesize information.
• Highly proficient in Excel; advanced skills in Word and PowerPoint.
• Professional designations such as CFA or CPA considered an asset.
• Ambitious self-starter with a positive attitude and a willingness to “roll up your sleeves” in an entrepreneurial environment.