Business Unit Finance Director

Korn Ferry; Rosemont (IL); On-site; USD 175,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading executive search firm seeks a Finance Director to oversee financial operations for a $250M business unit. This role encompasses strategic leadership in financial planning, analysis, and operational excellence, ensuring alignment with business objectives. Candidates should have over 12 years of experience in finance leadership and a strong background in financial analysis and controllership. This position is full-time and located in Rosemont, IL.

Qualifications

• 12–18+ years of progressive finance leadership experience, ideally in a global, manufacturing organization.
• Experience leading global teams and navigating matrixed organizations.
• Proven success partnering with business leadership to drive measurable financial improvements.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a strategic business partner to the GM and senior leadership team.
• Develop financial plans and drive accountability for business objectives.
• Lead initiatives to improve profitability and optimize costs.

Skills

Financial planning and analysis

Cost optimization

Leadership

Analytical skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field

MBA or advanced degree

Job description

Base pay range: $175,000.00/yr - $225,000.00/yr

Korn Ferry has partnered with our client on their search for Business Unit Finance Director

Position: Finance Director

Position Overview

The Finance Director will have full financial responsibility for a ~$250M business unit, reporting directly to the VP of Finance, with a strong dotted line to the Business Unit General Manager.

This role will lead global finance teams across FP&A, controllership, operations finance, and systems integration worldwide. The successful candidate will partner closely with leadership to drive profitable growth, optimize cost structure, enhance process efficiency, and build a scalable financial foundation to support continued expansion.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Financial Leadership

• Serve as a strategic business partner to the GM and senior leadership team.
• Develop short- and long-term financial plans while driving accountability for delivery against business objectives.
• Lead initiatives focused on profitability improvement, cost optimization, and working capital efficiency.
• Support strategic decision-making through robust financial analysis and data-driven insights.

Finance Function Transformation

• Redesign and optimize the finance organization to strengthen controllership, reporting, and operational finance.
• Standardize global processes, reporting systems, and financial controls.
• Evaluate and drive enhancements to ERP systems and financial infrastructure.
• Support future M&A activities and post-acquisition integration efforts.

Analytical & Operational Excellence

• Lead financial analysis of business performance, including revenue, margins, and key operating metrics.
• Deliver actionable insights and executive-level reporting packages.
• Partner with manufacturing, supply chain, and product management to align financial priorities with business strategy.

Leadership & Talent Development

• Build and develop a high-performing, globally dispersed finance team.
• Establish clear performance goals aligned with business strategy.
• Model transparent, ethical, and collaborative leadership.

The Candidate

Experience & Qualifications

• 12–18+ years of progressive finance leadership experience, ideally within a global, manufacturing or industrial organization.
• Strong background in financial planning and analysis, controllership, and operations finance.
• Proven success partnering with business leadership to drive measurable financial and operational improvement.
• Experience leading global teams and navigating matrixed organizations.
• Track record of driving systems, process, and reporting transformation.
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Hands‑on operator comfortable working at both strategic and tactical levels.
• Excellent communicator with the ability to influence and engage cross‑functional leaders.
• Collaborative, low‑ego leadership style with a focus on developing people and building teams.
• Strong financial acumen with a deep understanding of P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow dynamics.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field required.
• MBA or advanced degree preferred.

Seniority level: Director

Employment type: Full‑time

Job function: Finance

Industries: Industrial Machinery Manufacturing