OPPORTUNITY
Our client is an industry leading specialty sign manufacturer for large scale projects/clients nationally.
The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will serve as a senior executive and hands-on financial leader, partnering closely with the CEO and executive team to drive aggressive growth, profitability, and long-term enterprise value.
We’re looking for a “hands-on doer” that can work onsite in Atlanta (Northwest Atlanta/Marietta) and serve as a business advisor to the executive team.
This role is well-suited for a high-performing finance leader, with full ownership of the finance function and direct exposure to ownership, lenders, and transaction processes.
SCOPE OF WORK
1. Financial Leadership & Executive Partnership
- Serve as a senior executive and strategic business partner to the CEO and leadership team, driving financially grounded, business-impacting decisions.
- Serve as an independent financial voice at the leadership table, with the confidence to challenge operational, commercial, or strategic decisions that threaten cash flow, margins, or long-term enterprise value.
- Operate effectively while making decisions with imperfect information, balancing speed and execution with financial discipline as systems and processes scale.
2. Cash, Growth & Value Creation
- Drive a cash-first operating mindset, with daily, weekly, and monthly visibility into liquidity, project cash burn, and working capital risk in a project-based manufacturing environment.
- Oversee capital structure and manage relationships with banks and financial institutions, ensuring strong liquidity, cash discipline, and scalability.
- Provide recommendations to drive financial growth and profitability grounded in data, financial modeling, and operational realities.
3. Financial Strategy, Planning & Performance
- Develop and execute multi-year financial strategies and roadmaps aligned with aggressive growth objectives and operational execution.
- Lead budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes, including rolling forecasts, scenario analysis, and cash flow visibility.
- Analyze company and project-level performance to identify trends, risks, and margin improvement opportunities.
4. Manufacturing Finance, Job Costing & Project Economics
- Oversee job costing and project-based billing for large-scale manufacturing and installation projects.
- Ensure clear visibility into project margins, labor efficiency, materials usage, overhead absorption, and change-order economics.
- Partner with operations to improve execution discipline, forecasting accuracy, and profitability.
5. Accounting, Controls & Systems
- Partner with—and actively develop—the Controller while owning the design and effectiveness of the overall finance function.
- Oversee financial statement preparation, documentation, and internal controls, ensuring accuracy, discipline, and scalability.
- Lead or support ERP system implementation and optimization to improve visibility, reporting, and decision-making.
6. Risk, Compliance & External Stakeholders
- Identify and mitigate financial and operational risks; oversee insurance, legal coordination, and broader risk management activities.
- Assist in leading internal and external audits and compliance activities, ensuring readiness for ownership, lender, and transaction scrutiny.
- Support preparation of Board materials, investor reporting, and transaction-related financial analyses as required.
REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelors in accounting, finance, or a related field is required. Master’s or CPA license is a plus
- 8–12 years of progressive financial leadership experience, preferably in a high-growth manufacturing or industrial environment. Prior experience with job costing and billing procedures required.
- ERP system implementation or optimization experience required, with demonstrated ability to use systems to improve visibility and controls. Strong analytical, critical thinking, communication, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence senior leaders and non-financial stakeholders.
- High integrity, sound judgment, and leadership / decision-making skills, with a hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves mindset.
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE (FIRST 6–12 MONTHS)
- Establish a scalable financial infrastructure capable of supporting significant revenue growth.
- Deliver reliable forecasting, cash flow visibility, and project-level margin transparency.
- Improve working capital efficiency and liquidity discipline.
- Implement or materially enhance ERP and reporting capabilities.
- Build credibility with ownership, lenders, and leadership through clear, decision-ready financial insights.
- Position the business for future transaction readiness through disciplined reporting and financial storytelling.
ARDEN SEARCH
Arden Search is an affiliate of Bennett Thrasher and our team was founded to connect transformational leadership talent with top companies around the US. Our recruiting experts work diligently to shape the future of leadership through deep industry knowledge and a commitment to excellence, enabling us to forge unmatched connections between leading companies and the best talent.
Arden Search differentiates itself by emphasizing strong client relationships and our team is dedicated to finding the right opportunities for individuals, making placements, and ensuring professional and personal growth. Our commitment to fostering these relationships sets us apart in the competitive senior level talent acquisition landscape.
Arden Search follows all applicable EEO laws, and our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion extends throughout our recruitment practice for all clients. We actively seek to attract talent from diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
