Director, Finance

Start Date

Immediate

Location

Chicago, IL

Description

We are currently seeking a Finance Director to support our $40m national project management practice. The ideal candidate will play a crucial role in providing finance leadership, managing budgeting and forecasting, and providing key financial insights to guide decision making. The position requires a strong understanding project-based finance and involves working directly with business leadership, internal finance, and other stakeholders. Preferred locations for this role are Chicago, IL or Dallas, TX.

Responsibilities

  • Key financial/accounting liaison for business leadership and other stakeholders. Act as advisor and strategic partner to these groups for all financial, operational and client matters.
  • Lead the preparation of annual budgets, quarterly forecasts, and long-term financial plans for the business unit.
  • Responsible for the preparation, communication and analysis of the monthly and quarterly business results including insights and analysis on key drivers, as well as the identification of areas of opportunity or risk to ensure delivery of annual financial and strategic plans.
  • Liaison with the Corporate accounting team on revenue recognition, accounts receivable/cash application, accounts payable, audits and general accounting.
  • Develop pricing models and work with the business teams to evaluate profitability for individual contracts
  • Frequent in person collaboration with leadership and other stakeholders
  • Develops confidence with key business leader through value added/ad hoc analysis and/or ownership of critical projects, including M&A or recruiting
  • Provide proactive decision-making support to all stakeholders
  • Ensure financial processes adhere to relevant regulations, internal controls, and company policies
  • Partners with corporate finance to implement operational or financial systems to support the business.
  • Drive continuous improvement across financial systems and processes.
  • Proactively build relationships across the organization, developing an understanding of business issues and aligning the FP&A function with the business’ growth agenda
  • Mentor and manage direct reports or extended team fostering a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration

Qualifications

  • Proven history of establishing and implementing best practices across financial and operational processes
  • History of building relationships at all levels of an organization, including at the CEO and senior leadership team with superior communication and influencing skills
  • Familiarity with real estate and professional services firms is preferred but is not required
  • Demonstrated leadership role model for focused and disciplined finance thinkers who can derive actionable insights from data
  • Team-based and collaborative work style. Looks to work with others to deliver results. Open and transparent approach to business issues and challenges
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, well-developed presentation skills.
  • Understanding of GAAP accounting and revenue recognition compliance
  • Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment.

Experience & Education

  • Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance or related field.
  • 10+ years of increasingly responsible financial experience with an outstanding professional record in a complex finance organization
  • Management experience required, Teams of 4+ preferred
  • Successful track record at a rapidly growing company
  • Operating experience with P&L accountability within a finance context along with enterprise level experience preferred
  • Project Management and/or Real Estate Industry experience preferred

 

Cresa is committed to developing and maintaining a diverse workforce. Cresa strongly believes in equal opportunity extended to all individuals in all aspects of the employment relationship without regard to race, color, religion, belief, creed, age, sex, pregnancy or maternity (including childbirth and related conditions), family responsibility (e.g. child care, elder care), nationality, ethnic or national origin or ancestry, citizenship, marital status, civil partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, veteran’s status, genetic information, political view or status as a qualified individual with a disability, protected leave status or any other protected characteristic in accordance with applicable law.