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Yuri, Head of Finance and Business Operations at TigerEye Labs, Inc.: Advize Career Interview
A Berkeley graduate with an economics and business administration degree, this Head of Finance and Business Operations at TigerEye Labs charted a dynamic career path marked by strategic transitions from economic consulting and roles at major companies like Pacific Gas & Electric and SolarCity to the fast-paced world of tech startups.
The interview reveals a multifaceted role at a small AI company, encompassing financial oversight, product development contributions, and sales support.
This individual highlights the importance of detail-orientation, strong financial modeling, and adaptable communication skills for success.
A love of variety, learning, and the collaborative spirit of a high-growth company are key motivators. Challenges include navigating the unpredictable nature of the AI industry and achieving accurate financial projections.
Advice offered to students emphasizes curiosity, a broad skillset, and finding work that fosters passion.
Entry-level positions in larger firms and startups, along with the importance of embracing even less glamorous tasks for valuable experience are also discussed.
The interview concludes with a crucial lesson: "no one has it figured out," empowering a confident and adaptable approach to career navigation.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Yuri Yakubov
Head of Finance and Business Operations
TigerEye Labs, Inc.
UC Berkeley
UC Berkeley MBA, Haas School of Business
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Business & Related
Technology
Finance
Honors Student, Took Out Loans, Immigrant, Worked 20+ Hours in School
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Career Path of a Head of Finance and Business Operations at TigerEye Labs
Yuri's career path, beginning with an economics and business administration degree from Berkeley and an initial internship at PricewaterhouseCoopers which "I did not love," has been marked by a series of strategic transitions, including a move to economic consulting, an MBA from Haas, roles at Pacific Gas & Electric and SolarCity (later acquired by Tesla), and a pivot to the tech sector via PlanGrid (later acquired by Autodesk), before settling into their current role as Head of Finance and Business Operations at the early-stage startup TigerEye Labs, where they joined as the third non-founder employee.
Main Responsibilities of a Head of Finance and Business Operations at TigerEye Labs
Yuri's main responsibility as Head of Finance and Business Operations at TigerEye Labs, a small company of 28 people, is overseeing "finance and business operations," but their role also includes significant involvement in product development, leveraging their prior experience in sales and revenue operations to "sanity check" product features and use cases. Early in their tenure, Yuri also contributed to sales and business development, highlighting the dynamic and multifaceted nature of their career path at a growing startup.
A Day In The Life Of A Head Of Finance And Business Operations At TigerEye Labs, Inc.
A day in the life of Yuri, Head of Finance and Business Operations at TigerEye Labs, is highly varied, encompassing "glamorous things like paying bills" and strategic work with the CEO on future planning, contrasting the typical "35 hours of meetings a week" found in larger companies with the focused, independent work afforded by their smaller firm.
Most Important Skills for a Head of Finance and Business Operations at TigerEye Labs
For a Head of Finance and Business Operations at a startup, Yuri highlights "being detail-oriented" and strong "financial modeling skills" as crucial for responsible cash management in a fast-paced environment where "mistakes" are unacceptable. Effective communication, adapting style to diverse teams like engineering, sales, and marketing, is equally vital for success in the multifaceted role of business operations.
Favorite Parts of Being a Head of Finance and Business Operations at TigerEye Labs
Yuri's favorite aspect of their Head of Finance and Business Operations role at TigerEye Labs is the constant variety and learning opportunities: "It's never boring," with responsibilities spanning finance, operations, and product, allowing for cross-functional collaboration and exposure to a rapidly evolving AI industry. This role provided valuable new experiences, including closer collaboration with product and engineering teams.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A Head Of Finance And Business Operations At TigerEye Labs
Yuri's biggest challenge as Head of Finance and Business Operations at TigerEye Labs is the rapidly evolving AI industry, making accurate financial projections difficult; the ability to communicate a range of possible outcomes based on various dependencies, and "keep[ing] learning and keep[ing] not bored," are key skills in this dynamic environment.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Tech Industry As A Head Of Finance And Business Operations
Yuri, Head of Finance and Business Operations at TigerEye Labs, Inc., finds the high-pressure, fast-paced nature of the tech industry exhilarating, stating that "it's hard to deliver on [triple-digit growth] but I also enjoy that". The collaborative spirit and shared sense of purpose, where "everybody's kind of working towards a common goal of growing the pie," are particularly rewarding aspects of their career.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Startup Industry According To A Head Of Finance And Business Operations At TigerEye Labs
Yuri, Head of Finance and Business Operations at TigerEye Labs, Inc., highlights persistence and curiosity as crucial traits for success in the industry, stating that "persistence and curiosity are two really important things". The ability to "pivot" after setbacks and maintain a balanced perspective throughout both successes and failures is vital for navigating the industry's dynamic landscape.
What A Head Of Finance And Business Operations At TigerEye Labs Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Startup Industry
Yuri, Head of Finance and Business Operations at TigerEye Labs, Inc., found the startup world "even harder than it seems," despite their experience and the company's resources, highlighting the challenges in "nail[ing] the product" and achieving goals. However, the significant impact and ownership felt from successes in a smaller company were exceptionally "rewarding," a stark contrast to prior roles in larger corporations.
Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Finance and Business Operations Analysts
For entry-level positions in finance and business operations, larger companies typically offer "analyst roles," such as business operations analyst or financial analyst, providing structured learning. Smaller companies, particularly startups, offer less defined roles, but the potential for rapid career growth and diverse responsibilities is high, requiring adaptability and a willingness to handle various tasks, even those less glamorous—"chasing people to pay their bills"—to gain valuable experience and empathy.
Significant Career Lesson from a Head of Finance and Business Operations at TigerEye Labs
Yuri's most significant career lesson is that "no one has it figured out," a realization that boosted their confidence. This understanding, coupled with a boss's advice to embrace expertise and preparation, empowered Yuri to confidently navigate meetings and presentations, ultimately fostering career success.
College Experiences That Helped A Head Of Finance And Business Operations At TigerEye Labs Succeed
Yuri's approach to undergraduate education emphasized cultivating curiosity, taking "random classes" in diverse fields like astronomy and economics to broaden their knowledge base. This approach, the Head of Finance and Business Operations at TigerEye Labs, Inc. believes, is invaluable because "getting a broad skillset" and learning to adapt are crucial for long-term career success.
How Identity Has Influenced A Head of Finance and Business Operations at TigerEye Labs Career
Yuri, Head of Finance and Business Operations at TigerEye Labs, Inc., advises social science students lacking detail-orientation to find "what you're interested in and what you can care about," suggesting roles where learning is prioritized over meticulous tasks. This approach, Yuri implies, fosters increased detail-orientation through inherent passion for the work, a crucial element in career development.
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