Director of Operations

Selby Jennings; Buffalo (NY); Hybrid; USD 250,000 - 275,000; Full time

Job summary

Selby Jennings is seeking a seasoned Director of Operations to partner with executive leadership and private equity stakeholders in driving the firm’s next phase of growth. You will develop and execute firm-wide operational strategies that support scalability, profitability, and long-term value creation, serving as a liaison between leadership, the sponsor, and the finance organization.

This role will establish governance, best practices, and an operational infrastructure to sustain expansion,

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive leadership in operations, finance, accounting, or professional services.
• CPA or CFA designation required.
• Experience in financial services or asset management.
• Strong financial acumen and budgeting/forecasting experience.

Responsibilities

• Partner with executive leadership and private equity stakeholders to develop and execute strategic operational initiatives.
• Design and implement the firm's operational roadmap, including long-term growth and efficiency strategies.
• Lead operational transformation focused on process improvement, automation, scalability, and organizational effectiveness.
• Collaborate with Finance, Accounting, FP&A, and business leaders to align operational goals with financial performance objectives.
• Develop and monitor KPIs, operational dashboards, and management reporting packages.
• Evaluate workflows and implement solutions that improve productivity, service delivery, and profitability.
• Support M&A integration activities, expansion initiatives, and business transformation projects.
• Drive change management across departments and stakeholders.
• Establish governance, accountability, and best practices throughout the organization.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership regarding operational strategy and resource planning.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Analytical thinking

Project management

Stakeholder management

Financial acumen

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance/Business Administration

CPA or CFA designation

Tools

ERP systems

Automation tooling

Job description

Compensation: $250,000 - $275,000 Base + Bonus

Work Arrangement: Hybrid

Overview

A rapidly growing financial services firm specializing in accounting, advisory, and financial operations solutions is seeking a seasoned Director of Operations to partner with executive leadership and private equity stakeholders in driving the firm's next phase of growth.

This individual will be responsible for developing and executing firm-wide operational strategies that support scalability, profitability, and long-term value creation. The Director of Operations will serve as a key liaison between executive leadership, the private equity sponsor, and the finance organization, ensuring operational initiatives align with overall business objectives. This role will play a critical part in establishing best-in-class processes, optimizing business performance, and building the operational infrastructure necessary to support continued expansion.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner directly with executive leadership and private equity stakeholders to develop and execute strategic operational initiatives.
• Help design and implement the firm's operational roadmap, including long-term growth and efficiency strategies.
• Lead operational transformation efforts focused on process improvement, automation, scalability, and organizational effectiveness.
• Collaborate closely with Finance, Accounting, FP&A, and business leaders to align operational goals with financial performance objectives.
• Develop and monitor KPIs, operational dashboards, and management reporting packages.
• Evaluate existing workflows and implement solutions that improve productivity, service delivery, and profitability.
• Support M&A integration activities, organizational expansion initiatives, and business transformation projects.
• Drive change management efforts across multiple departments and stakeholders.
• Establish governance, accountability measures, and operational best practices throughout the organization.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership regarding operational strategy, resource planning, and execution.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• CPA or CFA designation required.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience within operations, finance, accounting, consulting, business transformation, or professional services environments.
• Previous experience within financial services, accounting services, advisory, asset management, banking, lending, or related industries.
• Proven success partnering with executive leadership teams on strategic planning and operational execution.
• Experience working within a private equity-backed organization strongly preferred.
• Strong financial acumen and understanding of accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and performance management.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives and drive measurable business results.
• Outstanding communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Highly analytical with strong project management and problem-solving capabilities.

Preferred Experience

• Experience supporting high-growth or PE-backed businesses.
• Operational transformation and process optimization expertise.
• ERP implementation, automation, and business systems experience.
• Track record of building scalable operating models and organizational infrastructure.
• Prior leadership experience managing multi-functional teams within a professional services or financial services environment.