VP of Finance

One of our best clients is hiring a VP of Finance for a full-time position in Chicago, IL.

The Vice President of Finance ("VP of Finance") will be a critical member of the executive leadership team, reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and collaborating closely with senior management, the Board of Directors, and the private equity sponsor. This position will drive the company's financial performance and strategic financial initiatives, positioning the company for sustained growth and profitability. The VP of Finance will oversee all aspects of financial management, including budgeting, financial reporting, forecasting, treasury management, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and risk management.

The role is designed for a hands-on leader who will be deeply involved in both high-level financial strategy and day-to-day financial operations. The VP of Finance will serve as a key business partner, providing insights and guidance that shape the company’s growth trajectory and capital allocation decisions. The successful candidate will be instrumental in fostering the company’s expansion goals, both organically and through targeted M&A activities.

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Develop and implement comprehensive financial strategies that align with the company’s long-term business goals and the investment objectives of the private equity sponsor.
• Serve as a key advisor to the CEO, providing actionable financial insights and guiding the executive team in making informed business decisions.
• Lead the financial planning process, integrating short- and long-term strategic goals with detailed financial forecasts, ensuring alignment across all functional departments.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with the Private Equity organization, ensuring seamless communication and alignment on financial performance, growth initiatives, and return on investment (ROI) objectives.
• Partner with the CEO to evaluate business development opportunities, including new markets, product offerings, and other expansion initiatives, ensuring that all strategic decisions are grounded in robust financial analysis.

Financial Reporting and Management

• Oversee the preparation of timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, ensuring full compliance with GAAP standards and internal reporting guidelines.
• Establish, refine, and maintain financial reporting systems that provide actionable insights, enabling management to respond proactively to financial trends and risks.
• Lead the company’s audit process, liaising with external auditors to ensure the successful completion of audits and the implementation of any necessary recommendations.
• Ensure the company meets all tax filing requirements and maintains compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Develop and enforce strong internal control policies and procedures, ensuring that all financial processes safeguard assets and mitigate risk, including fraud and compliance risks.
• Spearhead initiatives to improve financial system infrastructure, including ERP systems, to ensure scalability, data accuracy, and efficient reporting processes.

Treasury and Cash Management

• Lead treasury management efforts, ensuring the company maintains sufficient liquidity to support both its operational needs and growth plans, while optimizing the capital structure.
• Oversee the development of short-term and long-term cash flow projections, ensuring that they are regularly updated and aligned with business operations and strategic priorities.
• Implement cash management policies designed to optimize the company’s working capital, including the management of payables, receivables, and inventory.
• Support efforts related to debt management, including evaluating financing options, negotiating terms with lenders, and managing existing credit facilities to ensure the optimal balance of cost and flexibility.
• Ensure the company adheres to all covenants in existing lending agreements, proactively managing relationships with lenders to maintain access to favorable capital sources.

Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)

• Lead the company’s annual budgeting process, working closely with department heads to ensure that budgets are aligned with both operational plans and long-term growth objectives.
• Provide ongoing financial forecasting to identify potential opportunities and risks, proactively advising management on how to adjust strategies to capitalize on financial trends or mitigate challenges.
• Build and maintain sophisticated financial models to assess the financial impact of various business decisions, including product launches, new market entry, pricing strategies, and capital investments.
• Develop and maintain key financial performance metrics (KPIs), ensuring that they provide a clear, real-time view of business health and performance, allowing management to make data-driven decisions.
• Lead variance analysis efforts, identifying discrepancies between actual performance and forecasts, while providing clear explanations and recommending corrective actions.

Cost Control and Inventory Management

• Drive initiatives aimed at improving cost efficiency, focusing on reducing overhead costs while optimizing gross margins through enhanced operational efficiencies.
• Work closely with operations and procurement teams to manage inventory levels, ensuring that inventory turnover is optimized, and that working capital is efficiently deployed.
• Develop and implement margin analysis tools to assess the profitability of various product lines and service offerings, identifying opportunities for cost reduction and revenue maximization.

Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) and Integration

• Support the financial evaluation of potential acquisition targets, including conducting detailed financial due diligence, building valuation models, and assessing the strategic fit with the company’s growth objectives.
• Oversee the integration of acquired companies, ensuring that financial systems, controls, and reporting structures are seamlessly merged into the existing organization, minimizing disruption and maximizing post-transaction synergies.
• Work closely with the private equity sponsor to evaluate and pursue exit strategies, including strategic sale processes, recapitalizations, or other liquidity events, in alignment with investment objectives.

Team Leadership and Development

• Lead and develop the finance and accounting team, fostering a culture of excellence, continuous improvement, and professional development.
• Actively mentor finance team members, providing guidance, training, and opportunities for advancement within the organization.
• Collaborate with department heads and cross-functional teams to ensure alignment of financial strategies with overall business objectives, driving company-wide financial literacy and discipline.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Background

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field is required; an MBA or CPA is strongly preferred.
• 8-10 years of progressive finance experience, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership role within a private equity-backed or high-growth environment.
• Demonstrated experience in financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and FP&A (Financial Planning & Analysis).
• Deep expertise in capital structure management, cash flow optimization, and financial systems implementation.
• Proven experience with mergers and acquisitions, including financial due diligence, modeling, and post-acquisition integration.
• Previous experience managing multi-location operations and implementing or upgrading ERP systems is a significant plus.

Functional Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a demonstrated ability to provide actionable financial insights that drive business success.
• Extensive experience in managing cash flow, capital structures, and financial planning in high-growth environments.
• Ability to communicate complex financial concepts clearly and effectively to non-financial stakeholders, ensuring strategic alignment across the company.
• Deep understanding of GAAP and financial regulatory requirements, ensuring full compliance across all areas of financial management.

Leadership and Management Competencies

• Exceptional leadership and team-building skills, with experience in mentoring and developing high-performing finance teams.
• Hands-on, detail-oriented, and capable of implementing financial strategies in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
• Highly collaborative, with the ability to work effectively with the CEO, senior management, and external stakeholders such as auditors, lenders, and private equity sponsors.
• A proactive problem-solver who excels in identifying solutions to complex financial and operational challenges.

In addition to competitive compensation, the position is bonus and equity-eligible.

The VP of Finance will receive a highly competitive compensation package, including a base salary, performance-based bonus, and potential for long-term equity incentives. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping the company’s financial strategy, growth, and overall success.

If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity as a VP of Finance, apply today!