Strategic Finance Associate

Gateway Fiber is seeking a Strategic Finance Associate to support strategic finance initiatives at the intersection of M&A, planning, and performance reporting. This onsite role in O'Fallon, MO works closely with senior leadership and investment stakeholders, including CBRE Investment Management, to develop decision-ready analysis and maintain core financial models.

The position will contribute to acquisition modeling and valuation work, support diligence and investment materials, and help drive scenario planning and management reporting through detailed financial model maintenance, forecasting, and KPI tracking.

Strategic finance and M&A support

• Build acquisition models and valuation analyses, including $ per passing, $ per subscriber, revenue and EBITDA multiples, DCF/IRR, and accretion/dilution analysis.
• Maintain valuation comparables and transaction precedent databases.
• Support IOIs/LOIs, diligence activities, management presentations, and investment committee/Board materials.
• Evaluate acquisition opportunities relative to the economics of organically constructing an equivalent network.
• Support aspects of M&A diligence and maintain the company’s financial model with collaboration alongside senior leadership and investment stakeholders.

Financial modeling, planning, and reporting

• Maintain Gateway's corporate financial model, including scenario analysis across the income statement, cash flow, and balance sheet; subscriber/passings; capex; and debt and equity funding schedules.
• Prepare and present business case analysis materials, forecasting scenarios, and materials for investment committee discussions, including support for strategic materials shared with senior management and the Board.
• Develop sensitivities tied to penetration, ARPU, churn, construction costs, build pace, timing, and financing assumptions (including leverage).
• Participate in financial planning, including strategy development, review of management reporting, and attendance at relevant management meetings.
• Develop scenario analysis to inform management decisions and Board discussions.
• Prepare detailed business case analyses and decision recommendations, including thesis components such as merits, risks, market and industry trends, track record evaluations, competitor assessments, and supporting research.
• Analyze performance versus budget, forecast, and prior periods, focusing on operational drivers behind variances.
• Build market-level and consolidated reporting around revenue, EBITDA, capex, passings, subscribers, penetration, churn, and ARPU.
• Manage recurring management dashboards and KPI reporting.

Organic growth and ad hoc finance projects

• Evaluate organic growth opportunities.
• Assist with potential pre- and post-merger integration planning.
• Support FP&A on ongoing long-range planning.
• Complete ad hoc projects for Gateway's CFO, CEO, and VP of Finance.

Required qualifications

• 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.
• Bachelor's degree and a strong academic record (MBA viewed as a benefit).
• Strong qualitative and quantitative analytical skills, including financial modeling, valuation, and due diligence.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication, with strong team collaboration and time management.
• Resourceful and persistent approach with ability to quickly absorb and synthesize information.
• Highly proficient in Excel, with advanced skills in Word and PowerPoint.
• Professional designations such as CFA or CPA considered an asset.
• Ambitious self-starter with a positive attitude and willingness to work in an entrepreneurial environment.

Role location: O'Fallon, MO (onsite)

Experience: 2 years minimum

Education: bachelor’s degree

Technologies: Excel, Word, PowerPoint