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Head of Finance - Data Centers

OpenAI· Strategic Finance
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Hybrid (San Francisco)$347k - $385kFull-timePosted 4w ago

About the role

Finance leader for OpenAI’s self-built data center efforts, partnering across infrastructure, real estate, energy, construction, procurement, and finance to evaluate opportunities, build investment cases, forecast capital needs, manage construction budgets, and determine project financing.

Responsibilities

  • Lead financial evaluation of proposed data center and related power infrastructure projects, including site economics, development costs, capacity phasing, lifecycle costs, and key risks.
  • Build and own project-level models and capital expenditure forecasts that connect construction schedules, power delivery, equipment procurement, contingencies, and funding needs.
  • Establish capital budgets and financial controls for active builds. Track commitments, actual spending, change orders, and forecasts to completion; identify cost or schedule risks early.
  • Partner with development, engineering, energy, construction, and procurement leaders on decisions that affect cost, timing, and long-term performance.
  • Work with Treasury, Corporate Finance, Tax, and Legal to evaluate financing options, including project or construction debt, leases, joint ventures, and other partnership structures where appropriate.
  • Prepare investment recommendations and capital approval materials for senior leadership, translating complex project details into clear choices and tradeoffs.
  • Build a consistent portfolio view of project costs, cash requirements, milestones, and financial performance. Partner with Accounting and operations teams through project completion and handoff.

Qualifications

  • Prior experience as the finance leader for large-scale data center builds or major electric generation projects. You have directly owned investment analysis, capital budgets, and financial decisions through development and construction.
  • Prior experience in investment banking or private equity. This is a strong preferred part of the background for this role.
  • 10+ years of experience across strategic finance, infrastructure finance, project development, or related fields.
  • Strong command of project finance, capital project economics, capex and cash flow forecasting, budget management, and the financing structures used to develop large infrastructure assets.
  • Excellent financial modeling skills and the judgment to test assumptions, quantify uncertainty, and recommend a path forward.
  • Working knowledge of construction cost drivers and risks, including utility and power timelines, procurement, contracts, and change orders.
  • The ability to work closely with technical and construction teams while communicating clearly with senior finance and business leaders.
  • Strong track record of hiring, leading and developing high performing teams.

Skills

Required:Financial modelingProject financeBudgetingStakeholder management

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your family, with employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts
  • Pre-tax accounts for Health FSA, Dependent Care FSA, and commuter expenses (parking and transit)
  • 401(k) retirement plan with employer match
  • Paid parental leave (up to 24 weeks for birth parents and 20 weeks for non-birthing parents), plus paid medical and caregiver leave (up to 8 weeks)
  • Paid time off: flexible PTO for exempt employees and up to 15 days annually for non-exempt employees
  • 13+ paid company holidays, and multiple paid coordinated company office closures throughout the year for focus and recharge, plus paid sick or safe time (1 hour per 30 hours worked, or more, as required by applicable state or local law)
  • Mental health and wellness support
  • Employer-paid basic life and disability coverage
  • Annual learning and development stipend to fuel your professional growth
  • Daily meals in our offices, and meal delivery credits as eligible
  • Relocation support for eligible employees
  • Additional taxable fringe benefits, such as charitable donation matching and wellness stipends, may also be provided.
Last updated Sep 24, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.

About OpenAI

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