Principal

Paul Bridges Group; United States; On-site; USD 140,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Paul Bridges Group is seeking a Principal to join its Office of the CFO practice in Dallas. This senior, client-facing role leads complex retained finance searches and advises clients through strategy, assessment, offers and placement.

The Principal will build relationships with CEOs, CFOs, boards and investors, expand the firm’s CFO leadership network, and mentor colleagues as the practice grows.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in retained executive search.
• Experience leading senior finance or accounting searches.
• Strong client development and relationship-management skills.
• Excellent interviewing, communication, and candidate assessment abilities.

Responsibilities

• Direct all stages of senior finance searches, from kickoff and market strategy through candidate assessment, offer negotiation, and close.
• Build market maps and identify executives across public companies, private equity-backed businesses, and privately held organizations.
• Conduct in-depth candidate interviews and deliver clear, thoughtful assessments to clients.
• Coordinate with colleagues to ensure searches remain focused, responsive, and on track.

Job description

Principal – Office of the CFO Executive Search

About the Firm

Our client is a boutique retained executive search firm focused exclusively on senior finance leadership. The firm partners with public companies, private equity investors and portfolio companies, and privately held businesses to identify executives who can shape financial performance and support growth.

Its assignments span the Office of the CFO, including CFO, CAO, Controller, FP&A, Treasury, Deputy CFO, and other senior finance roles. In this Partner-led environment, Principals work closely with company leaders, boards, and investors on consequential searches, with meaningful involvement in client relationships and practice development.

About the Role

Our client is looking for a Principal to join its growing Office of the CFO practice in Dallas. This is a senior, client-facing position for an executive search professional who can lead complex assignments, advise clients, and contribute to the growth of the practice.

The Principal will manage searches from initial strategy through placement, serving as a trusted partner to clients and candidates throughout the process. The role also includes developing new relationships, identifying opportunities, and helping expand the firm’s presence in the CFO and finance leadership market.

Key Responsibilities

Lead Retained Search Assignments

• Direct all stages of senior finance searches, from kickoff and market strategy through candidate assessment, offer negotiation, and close.
• Build market maps and identify executives across public companies, private equity-backed businesses, and privately held organizations.
• Conduct in-depth candidate interviews and deliver clear, thoughtful assessments to clients.
• Coordinate with colleagues to ensure searches remain focused, responsive, and on track.

Advise Clients and Candidates

• Build trusted relationships with CEOs, CFOs, board members, investors, and other senior stakeholders.
• Understand each client’s business, ownership structure, financial priorities, and leadership needs.
• Provide informed market perspectives and recommendations throughout the search.
• Maintain thoughtful communication with candidates and guide them through the process.

Develop the Practice

• Identify prospective clients and contribute to business development and relationship-building efforts.
• Expand the firm’s network across finance leadership and private equity communities.
• Strengthen the practice’s market presence through insight, consistent client service, and new search opportunities.
• Support and mentor colleagues as the team grows.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in retained executive search, finance recruiting, or a related advisory environment.
• A track record of leading senior-level finance or accounting searches is strongly preferred.
• Strong client development and relationship-management skills, with the judgment and confidence to engage senior executives.
• Excellent interviewing, communication, and candidate assessment abilities.
• Effective organization and project management skills across multiple concurrent searches.
• Intellectual curiosity and a strong interest in the Office of the CFO marketplace.