Job Title: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Location: Chicago, IL (Hybrid/On-site)
Company: YouNet AM
Reports to: CEO / Board of Directors
Company Overview
YouNet AM is a premier, data-driven advertising agency at the forefront of integrated marketing solutions. We operate at the high-stakes intersection of creativity and advanced analytics. As we scale our footprint in the Chicago market and beyond, we are seeking a visionary and high-impact Chief Financial Officer (CFO). This leader will serve as a strategic partner to the CEO, overseeing the agency's financial health, driving capital efficiency, and architecting the fiscal framework for long-term growth.
Position Summary
The CFO will be the primary architect of YouNet AM’s financial strategy. Beyond traditional oversight, the CFO will drive high-level decision-making regarding investment, risk management, and organizational scaling. The ideal candidate is a "strategic navigator" who can translate complex data into growth opportunities while maintaining a rigorous gold standard for compliance and fiscal integrity.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Corporate Planning
Partner with the CEO and Executive Team to define the agency’s long-term commercial strategy and geographic expansion.
Lead capital allocation strategies, including potential M&A activity, debt financing, or equity structuring.
Provide high-level financial modeling and "what-if" scenarios to guide agency pivots and service line expansions.
Financial Operations & Performance Optimization
Direct the entire finance department, ensuring the accuracy of multi
entity consolidated financial reporting.
Optimize the agency’s "Deal Flow" and cash cycle, improving project-based profitability and client-side financial negotiations.
Implement advanced BI (Business Intelligence) tools to provide real-time visibility into agency margins and resource utilization.
Tax Architecture & Risk Mitigation
Design and oversee a sophisticated tax strategy that aligns with corporate growth, managing complex multi-state Nexus and international tax implications.
Ensure the agency’s global compliance posture is impenetrable, acting as the final authority for audits and regulatory inquiries.
Architect robust risk management frameworks to protect agency assets and intellectual property.
Investor & Stakeholder Relations
Act as the primary financial spokesperson for the Board of Directors, investors, and banking partners.
Oversee the financial narrative of the agency, ensuring transparency and confidence in the company’s valuation and fiscal trajectory.
Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Finance/Accounting; MBA and CPA are mandatory.
Experience: 15+ years of progressive financial leadership, with at least 8 years in a C-suite or VP-level role within Advertising, FinTech, or Professional Services.
Track Record: Proven success in scaling an organization from a mid-market player to a dominant industry leader
Technical Mastery: Expert-level knowledge of GAAP, complex tax code, and ERP implementation (NetSuite, Sage Intacct, etc.).
Location: Must be based in or willing to relocate to the Chicago, IL area.
Soft Skills
Architectural Thinking: Ability to build processes from the ground up that survive rapid scaling.
Executive Presence: Command of the boardroom; ability to influence high-level stakeholders and creative partners alike.
The "Coach" Mentality: A dedication to educating the broader team on financial literacy to drive a "profit-first" culture.
Uncompromising Integrity: A reputation for absolute ethical clarity in all financial dealings.
