Chief Financial Officer
PE-Backed Design Services Company
Atlanta, Georgia
THE OPPORTUNITY
This is a career-defining opportunity for a high-calibre CFO to help lead the portfolio company through its next phase of growth.
The mandate is broader than simply running finance well. It is about acting as the right-hand partner to the CEO, professionalising the finance function, improving reporting and forecasting, strengthening cash discipline, supporting M&A, and helping prepare the portfolio company for a future exit.
The CFO will work closely with the CEO, The Private Equity firm, and the Board to bring sharper financial visibility, challenge decisions with facts, and help translate strategy into execution. The portfolio company has completed much of its turnaround work, restored culture, embedded stronger systems, and built a more aligned leadership team.
This is not a steady-state finance role. It is an opportunity to influence strategy and help build a stronger platform through organic growth and acquisitions.
THE COMPANY
A private equity-backed, US-based design and project services business serving commercial and hospitality end markets.
The portfolio company operates across two core segments:
• Commercial
• Hospitality
The business generates $50M+ in revenue
WHY THIS ROLE STANDS OUT
This role offers what strong finance leaders rarely find in one seat: real change, high visibility, acquisition exposure, and the opportunity to shape the direction of the business.
There is already meaningful momentum in the portfolio company. Culture has improved, leadership is more structured, and the business is entering its next stage under a newly appointed CEO. At the same time, there is clear work to do around PE-standard reporting, cash flow visibility, debt management, covenant discipline, margin improvement, and acquisition execution.
For the right person, the opportunity includes:
• Acting as the CEO’s true finance partner and strategic sounding board
• Building PE-quality reporting, forecasting, controls, and KPI visibility
• Leading diligence, execution, and integration support for future acquisitions
• Improving cash management, lender communication, and covenant oversight
• Professionalising the finance team and driving stronger operating discipline
• Helping prepare the portfolio company for a successful exit over the medium term
In plain terms, this is a chance to be the finance leader who helps turn a recovered business into a higher-value platform.
WHAT SUCCESS LOOKS LIKE
Success in this role is not just about producing accurate numbers. It is about helping the portfolio company make better decisions, improve liquidity, execute acquisitions well, and build toward a successful exit.
• Building a stronger finance function with better talent, structure, and accountability
• Delivering timely, accurate, PE-standard reporting, budgeting, and forecasting
• Creating clearer visibility on revenue, cash flow, working capital, and business performance
• Improving cost discipline, project profitability analysis, and decision support
• Supporting refinancing discussions and stronger management of debt and banking relationships
• Partnering closely with the CEO on strategy, investment choices, and performance tracking
• Supporting a disciplined acquisition roadmap and successful post-deal integration
• Helping shift the business toward higher-quality, higher-margin work
• Supporting more data-led decision-making across the organisation
• Positioning the portfolio company for a future liquidity event
Longer term, success means being seen as a central architect of value creation as the portfolio company scales and evolves.
IDEAL BACKGROUND
This role is best suited to a hands-on CFO or strong number two who has operated in a PE-backed, project-based services environment and wants a broader value creation mandate.
The ideal candidate will likely have:
• Experience as a CFO, VP Finance, or divisional finance leader with real operating influence
• Full P&L responsibility and regular exposure to boards, lenders, and investors
• Experience in PE-backed, project-led, or multi-entity services businesses
• A strong operational track record alongside core finance and accounting capability
• Leadership experience in a business of $25M+ revenue
• Strong financial reporting discipline, with the ability to improve rigour and pace
• Meaningful M&A exposure across diligence, execution, and integration
• Experience managing debt, banking relationships, covenants, and cash constraints
• The confidence to challenge with facts, not optimism, while maintaining strong relationships
• NetSuite, project-based accounting, and experience in services, design-led, or construction-adjacent environments would all be helpful.
LOCATION
Atlanta, Georgia
The preference is for a candidate based in or able to commute to Atlanta, with a strong on-site presence.
COMPENSATION
Base salary: $200,000 – $250,000
Bonus: 50%
Equity / Carry: Yes
401(k): Yes
Healthcare: Yes
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