VP of Finance

VP of Finance

Louisville, KY, US On-site Vaco $USD 170000 - 215000 Direct Hire

Position Overview An organization is seeking a VP of Finance to lead the organization's financial strategy, planning, and reporting functions, with a mandate to build out a new business segment from the ground up. This role is responsible for directing budgeting and forecasting, overseeing financial reporting and controls, establishing the organizational, financial, and governance infrastructure needed to support a new line of business, and guiding capital and investment decisions. The position will partner closely with Accounting, Operations, Commercial, and executive leadership to support profitable growth, strengthen financial controls, and inform strategic decision-making across the organization. The ideal candidate is a strategic, hands-on leader with strong experience in corporate finance, financial planning and analysis, building financial functions from scratch, and developing high-performing teams. This individual will bring a continuous improvement mindset and a proven ability to translate financial insights into actionable business strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Planning & Analysis

• Lead the annual budgeting process and ongoing short- and long-term forecasting
• Develop and maintain financial models to support strategic and operational decisions
• Analyze business performance and identify trends, risks, and opportunities
• Partner with department leaders to align budgets with organizational goals
• Develop and track key financial metrics and KPIs

Enterprise Development & Program Innovation

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of financial strategies and programs that support the growth of a new business segment
• Develop strategic business plans and implementation roadmaps for new financial initiatives
• Evaluate market and operating conditions to identify opportunities to expand financial capacity and organizational impact
• Recommend policies and strategies that position the finance function as a strategic driver of organizational performance
• Build and scale a financially sustainable business segment capable of responding to changing market conditions and business needs

Operational & Financial Governance

• Establish the operational, financial, and administrative foundations required to support a new business segment
• Design and implement governance structures, financial policies, and administrative procedures for the segment's operations
• Develop budgeting policies, financial controls, investment guidelines, and risk management frameworks
• Create and maintain policies that promote transparency, accountability, and sound financial stewardship
• Support executive leadership and the board through strategic recommendations, reporting, and policy development

New Business Segment Development

• Build the financial planning, reporting, and operational infrastructure required to launch a new business segment
• Develop financial models, business cases, and feasibility analyses to guide the segment's growth strategy
• Establish budgeting, forecasting, and performance tracking processes specific to the new segment
• Partner with executive leadership to define the segment's financial goals, milestones, and success metrics
• Identify capital requirements and funding strategies to support the segment's launch and scale-up

Financial Reporting & Controls

• Oversee preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements
• Ensure accuracy, timeliness, and integrity of financial reporting
• Strengthen internal controls and ensure compliance with accounting standards and regulatory requirements
• Manage relationships with external auditors, tax advisors, and financial partners
• Provide leadership with financial reporting, variance analysis, and performance insights

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of finance professionals, including building out new team capacity to support the growing business segment
• Develop organizational capacity through staff training, professional development, and succession planning
• Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
• Establish departmental goals and evaluate team performance outcomes
• Collaborate with Accounting, Operations, and Commercial teams
• Support strategic initiatives related to capital allocation, growth, and financial performance
• Communicate financial insights and recommendations to executive leadership and the board

Process Improvement & Systems

• Drive automation and continuous improvement initiatives across finance functions
• Identify opportunities to improve reporting, workflows, and financial processes
• Support ERP and financial systems enhancements
• Enhance scalability of finance processes to support company growth and the new business segment

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field
• 812 years of experience in finance, accounting, or financial leadership roles
• Strong experience with financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting
• Experience with financial reporting, internal controls, and compliance
• Demonstrated experience establishing operational and financial governance structures, policies, or infrastructure
• Demonstrated experience building financial processes, systems, or teams from the ground up
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial modeling
• Experience with ERP systems and financial reporting/BI tools
• Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills
• Excellent communication and leadership abilities
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

Preferred Qualifications

• MBA, CPA, or CFA
• Experience launching or scaling a new business unit, division, or product line
• Experience establishing governance frameworks or financial infrastructure for a growing organization
• Experience in a large corporate, manufacturing, industrial, or logistics environment
• Experience presenting to a board of directors or investors
• Experience with M&A, capital raises, or complex financing structures
• Exposure to private equity or investor-backed environments is a plus