Chief Financial OfficerConfidential Search – Privately Held Portfolio of Companies
Position SummaryA privately held, diversified ownership group is seeking a trusted and experienced Chief Financial Officer to provide financial leadership across its portfolio of operating businesses and investment entities. The portfolio currently includes Insurance- related entites, marina operations, golf and hospitality businesses, dry cleaning operations, real estate holdings, development projects, and additional entrepreneurial ventures.
This role is designed for a financially strong and operationally minded leader who can serve as both a strategic advisor and a practical business partner. The CFO will work directly with ownership and a small group of business leaders to provide financial oversight, operational guidance, planning support, and long-term continuity across multiple entities.
The environment is entrepreneurial, relationship-driven, and collaborative. The businesses operate with lean teams, varied systems, and evolving processes, requiring an individual who is adaptable, resourceful, and comfortable operating both strategically and hands-on when needed.
The CFO will play an important role in strengthening financial discipline, improving visibility across the portfolio, supporting operational decision-making, and building long-term trust with ownership and future family leadership as part of ongoing succession planning efforts.
This is a long-term leadership opportunity for someone who values autonomy, meaningful business partnerships, and the ability to make a lasting impact within a privately held organization.
The position may be based remotely from either Ohio or New Hampshire, with periodic travel required.
Key ResponsibilitiesFinancial Leadership & Business Partnership- Serve as a strategic financial advisor to ownership and business leadership across multiple operating companies and investment entities.
- Provide clear and timely financial reporting, analysis, and recommendations to support operational and strategic decisions.
- Lead budgeting, forecasting, cash flow planning, and financial performance review processes across the portfolio.
- Partner directly with ownership and company leaders to evaluate business objectives, growth opportunities, operational performance, and investment decisions.
- Support business planning efforts with a practical and solutions-oriented approach.
Multi-Entity Financial Oversight- Oversee financial operations across a diverse portfolio of businesses with varying operational structures and systems.
- Ensure consistency, accuracy, and integrity of financial reporting and internal financial processes.
- Coordinate financial activities among multiple entities, partnerships, and stakeholders.
- Work closely with external accounting, tax, legal, banking, and advisory partners.
- Assist with entity structuring, financial risk management, and capital planning activities as needed.
Operational & Process Leadership- Provide financial leadership that balances structure and accountability with the practical realities of entrepreneurial businesses.
- Identify opportunities to improve processes, reporting visibility, financial controls, and operational efficiencies.
- Support implementation and management of financial systems and technology across multiple operating environments.
- Lead and mentor a small finance and accounting team while remaining actively engaged in day-to-day financial operations when necessary.
- Develop scalable processes that support continued growth while maintaining flexibility across business units.
Ownership & Succession Partnership- Build trusted relationships with ownership, family stakeholders, and business leaders.
- Support long-term succession planning and continuity efforts across the organization.
- Operate with a high level of discretion, professionalism, and sound judgment.
- Help create financial clarity and organizational stability that support future leadership transitions and long-term business sustainability
Ideal Candidate ProfileThe successful candidate will likely bring:
- Progressive financial leadership experience within privately held, entrepreneurial, or multi-entity business environments.
- Strong business acumen with the ability to understand both financial performance and operational realities.
- Experience supporting ownership groups, family businesses, or closely held organizations.
- A hands-on leadership style with the ability to move comfortably between strategic planning and day-to-day execution.
- Strong cash management, budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting experience.
- Comfort working within evolving structures and less formal operating environments.
- Strong technology skills and the ability to navigate multiple systems and platforms across various business units.
- Excellent communication, relationship-building, and interpersonal skills.
- High emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and personal credibility.
- A practical, steady, and collaborative leadership approach.
- Interest in building a long-term role within a relationship-driven organization.
Preferred ExperienceWhile industry experience does not need to align perfectly, backgrounds that may translate well include:
- Multi-entity or multi-site operating businesses
- Privately held ownership groups
- Hospitality, marina, golf, or service-based businesses
- Real estate holdings or development environments
- Construction or operationally intensive businesses
- Family-owned or second-generation business environments
Leadership CharacteristicsThe ideal individual will demonstrate:
- Integrity, loyalty, and professionalism
- Strong work ethic and accountability
- Calm and thoughtful decision-making
- Operational curiosity and business pragmatism
- Executive presence balanced with humility and approachability
- Ability to earn trust and build long-term relationships
- Adaptability across different business models and leadership styles
- Confidence without ego
- Commitment to supporting both people and business outcomes
The OpportunityThis role offers the opportunity to become a valued long-term partner within a stable and growing ownership group. The environment is collaborative, entrepreneurial, and relationship-centered, enabling meaningful contributions across a diverse portfolio of businesses.
For the right individual, this position offers the opportunity to build credibility, influence key business decisions, support future leadership transitions, and help shape the organization's long-term financial strength.
