Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Finance Director
💰 $165,000 - $240,000
🎯 Role Definition
As a pivotal member of the senior leadership team, the Finance Director will be the driving force behind the company's financial strategy and operational execution. You will own the entire financial planning and analysis (FP&A) lifecycle, from annual budgeting to long-range strategic planning. This role requires a dynamic leader who can translate complex financial data into actionable insights, providing crucial decision support to executive and departmental leaders. You will be responsible for building and mentoring a high-performing finance team, enhancing financial systems and processes, and ensuring the integrity of all financial reporting and compliance. This is an opportunity to make a significant impact on our business trajectory by providing the financial stewardship needed to navigate growth and complexity.
📈 Career Progression
Typical Career Path
Entry Point From:
- Senior Finance Manager
- Director of FP&A
- Corporate Controller
Advancement To:
- Senior Finance Director
- Vice President (VP) of Finance
- Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Lateral Moves:
- Director of Corporate Strategy
- Director of Business Operations
Core Responsibilities
Primary Functions
- Lead the annual strategic planning, budgeting, and forecasting processes, partnering with business leaders to develop ambitious yet achievable financial targets.
- Oversee the development and maintenance of complex financial models to support long-term strategic planning, M&A activities, and capital allocation decisions.
- Prepare and present comprehensive financial reporting packages, insightful analysis, and strategic recommendations to the executive team, Board of Directors, and external stakeholders.
- Act as a strategic financial business partner to department heads, providing data-driven insights and decision support to optimize performance and resource allocation.
- Manage and forecast the company's cash flow position, ensuring sufficient liquidity to meet operational needs and investment plans.
- Drive the FP&A function, establishing robust processes for variance analysis, performance monitoring, and the communication of financial results and key performance indicators (KPIs).
- Direct all aspects of financial operations, overseeing the month-end and year-end close processes in partnership with the accounting team to ensure accuracy and timeliness.
- Develop and implement scalable financial systems, tools, and processes to support company growth and enhance operational efficiency and accuracy.
- Provide strong leadership, mentorship, and career development to the finance team, fostering a culture of high performance, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Ensure strict compliance with all financial regulations, including GAAP/IFRS standards, SOX controls, and other statutory requirements.
- Lead financial due diligence for potential mergers, acquisitions, and other strategic investments, and manage the financial integration of acquired entities.
- Analyze and advise on the financial impact of major business decisions, including new product launches, market entry strategies, and significant contract negotiations.
- Manage relationships with banking partners, auditors, and investors, effectively communicating the company's financial position and strategy.
- Establish and maintain robust internal controls to safeguard company assets and ensure the integrity of financial data and reporting.
- Conduct in-depth analysis of pricing strategies, product-line profitability, and customer lifetime value to identify opportunities for margin enhancement.
- Oversee treasury functions, including debt management, investment of excess cash, and management of foreign currency exposure.
- Develop sophisticated scenario models to assess potential risks and opportunities arising from market shifts, competitive actions, and economic trends.
- Guide capital structure and allocation strategy, performing rigorous ROI and payback analysis on proposed capital expenditures and projects.
- Communicate financial performance and outlook to the broader organization, enhancing financial literacy and accountability across all departments.
- Lead the preparation of materials for investor relations, including earnings releases, conference call scripts, and presentations for analyst meetings.
Secondary Functions
- Support contract negotiations and vendor management from a financial perspective to ensure favorable terms and cost-effectiveness.
- Participate in the external audit process, serving as a key liaison to ensure a smooth, efficient, and timely completion.
- Contribute to the evolution of the company's data infrastructure by defining requirements for financial data and reporting.
- Stay abreast of macroeconomic trends and industry best practices, assessing their potential impact on the company's financial strategy and operations.
Required Skills & Competencies
Hard Skills (Technical)
- Advanced financial modeling capabilities, including 3-statement, DCF, LBO, and scenario/sensitivity analysis.
- Deep expertise in Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), including budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis.
- Thorough understanding of U.S. GAAP and/or IFRS accounting principles.
- Proficiency with modern ERP systems (e.g., NetSuite, SAP S/4HANA, Oracle Fusion).
- Expertise with Business Intelligence (BI) and data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Looker).
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, complex formulas, macros) and PowerPoint for executive-level presentations.
- Experience with Corporate Performance Management (CPM) platforms (e.g., Anaplan, Planful, Adaptive Insights).
Soft Skills
- Exceptional leadership and team development capabilities with a track record of building and mentoring high-performing teams.
- Strategic and critical thinking with the ability to translate high-level goals into actionable financial plans.
- Strong executive presence and outstanding verbal and written communication skills.
- Influential business partnering and stakeholder management abilities across all levels of an organization.
- High-level problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills with a bias for action.
- Excellent business acumen and a deep understanding of the key drivers of profitability and growth.
Education & Experience
Educational Background
Minimum Education:
- Bachelor's Degree
Preferred Education:
- Master of Business Administration (MBA).
- Professional certification such as CPA (Certified Public Accountant) or CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst).
Relevant Fields of Study:
- Finance
- Accounting
- Economics
- Business Administration
Experience Requirements
Typical Experience Range:
- 10-15+ years of progressive experience in corporate finance, FP&A, or accounting roles.
Preferred:
- A minimum of 4-5 years of experience in a leadership capacity (e.g., Senior Finance Manager, Controller) with direct responsibility for managing and developing a team. Experience within a high-growth or publicly traded company is highly advantageous. A blend of experience in both large corporate environments and more agile, fast-paced settings is ideal.