Chief Financial Officer

Succession Executive Search; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 180,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Succession Executive Search is seeking a Chief Financial Officer to lead financial strategy and operations in the Chicagoland area. This on-site role will oversee budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, and long-term planning, ensuring accurate financial statements and governance.

The CFO will partner with senior leaders on investments, risk management, and capital allocation, while mentoring the finance team to foster accountability, transparency, and data‑driven decision-making across

Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in Finance and Financial Planning with a track record of driving growth and efficiency.
• Strong command of Financial Statements and Reporting, including regulatory compliance.
• Advanced analytical skills to interpret data, assess risk, and support executive decisions.
• Extensive experience in senior finance leadership roles, ideally in PE, IB, or corporate finance.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial strategy and operations, ensuring strong governance and alignment with growth objectives.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, and long-term financial planning.
• Ensure accuracy and integrity of financial statements and reporting.
• Collaborate with senior leadership on investment decisions, risk management and capital allocation.
• Mentor and develop the finance team and foster accountability and data-driven decision-making.

Skills

Finance leadership

Financial analysis

Financial modeling

Budgeting and forecasting

Cash flow management

Regulatory compliance

Communication to stakeholders

Team development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance or related field

MBA or CPA preferred

Job description

Company Description

Succession Executive Search is a specialized executive search firm with over 15 years of experience serving Private Equity, Investment Banking, and Corporate Finance clients. The firm partners closely with leading organizations to place top executive talent across the private equity landscape. Its team is composed of search professionals with deep expertise in the financial sector and a strong understanding of complex capital markets environments. Succession focuses on elevating clients’ leadership teams and supporting long-term profitability through strategic, high-impact executive placements.

Role Description

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will lead all financial strategy and operations, ensuring strong fiscal governance and alignment with the organization’s growth objectives. This full-time, on-site position in Chicagoland area involves overseeing budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, and long-term financial planning. The CFO will be responsible for the accuracy and integrity of financial statements and reporting, collaborating with senior leadership to guide investment decisions, risk management, and capital allocation. Day-to-day tasks include managing financial controls, coordinating audits, optimizing financial processes and systems, and presenting clear analyses and recommendations to executive stakeholders. The CFO will also mentor and develop the finance team, fostering a culture of accountability, transparency, and data-driven decision‑making.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in Finance and Financial Planning, with a track record of driving strategic growth and operational efficiency.
• Strong command of Financial Statements and Financial Reporting, including compliance with relevant accounting standards and regulatory requirements.
• Advanced Analytical Skills to interpret complex data, assess risk, and support executive decision‑making.
• Extensive experience in senior finance leadership roles, ideally within private equity, investment banking, or corporate finance environments.
• Proficiency in financial modeling, budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management.
• Ability to lead and develop high-performing finance teams and collaborate effectively with cross‑functional leaders.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey financial insights to non‑financial stakeholders.
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field; MBA, CPA, or other relevant advanced credential strongly preferred.