Vice President, Finance

Brief Description

Russell is a $700M+ commercial construction and real estate development firm providing construction and development services across the Midwest. Since its inception in 1983, Russell’s culture promotes a collaborative work environment that strives to exceed our clients’ expectations and provide life-time career opportunities for our professionals.

Headquartered in Davenport, Iowa, with offices in St. Louis and Springfield, Missouri and Leawood, Kansas, Russell has delivered more than $7 billion in projects across 34 states. We remain a market leader in our core markets, including new construction and complex additions and renovations.

At Russell, we are creating more than a project - we are building great people, relationships, and communities.

Life at Russell

The number one response we receive when we ask our team members what they like about Russell is the culture. Russell team members describe working here as being more flexible than any place they’ve ever worked. They feel supported and support each other. They have fun. They are empowered to get their work done how they see fit. And most of all, they know they can continue their careers here because of the rich development tools available to them. Life at Russell is full of opportunities.

How You’ll Contribute

The Vice President of Finance is the operational financial backbone of Russell. Reporting to the President and CFO, this hands-on, execution-oriented role is responsible for the precision and discipline of financial operations across a complex, multi-location construction enterprise. The VP of Finance owns the day-to-day health of the company's financial functions—from project cost tracking and cash management to reporting, controls, and compliance—while partnering closely with field operations, project management, and executive leadership to drive performance and visibility.

The ideal candidate is a technically strong finance professional who thrives in the details, earns credibility by knowing the numbers, and builds trust with operators by making financial data clear and actionable. The VP of Finance will lead and develop a capable finance and accounting team, optimize financial processes and systems, and serve as the primary financial resource for project teams and operational leaders across the company.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Operations & Controls

• Own the daily financial operations of the company, including accounting, accounts payable and receivable, payroll coordination, and cash management.
• Lead monthly close processes, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and GAAP compliance across all business units.
• Maintain rigorous internal controls and ensure adherence to financial policies and procedures.
• Oversee cash forecasting and liquidity management.
• Ensure compliance with tax regulations, bonding requirements, insurance programs, and audit standards.

Project Finance & Job Cost Management

• Manage project-level financial tracking, including job cost reporting, WIP (work-in-process) analysis, and percent-complete accounting.
• Partner with project managers and operations leadership to ensure financial data reflects field reality and drives timely corrective action.
• Develop and maintain dashboards and reporting tools that give operational leaders real-time visibility into project financial performance.
• Monitor and improve gross margin predictability, cost management, and project cash flow.
• Support the project management team in understanding financial implications of change orders, claims, and closeout activity.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Reporting

• Lead the annual budgeting process across all business units, translating operational plans into financial models.
• Maintain rolling forecasts and scenario analyses that keep leadership informed and prepared for changing conditions.
• Produce accurate, timely financial reports for the President, CFO, and executive team—including P&L, balance sheet, cash flow, and project-level summaries.
• Develop and present financial analysis that supports business decisions, investments, and operational improvements.

Systems, Process & Technology

• Champion continuous improvement of financial systems, workflows, and reporting infrastructure.
• Partner with IT and operations to advance automation, ERP optimization, and data integration across the business.
• Drive financial technology adoption that reduces manual effort and improves data accuracy and speed.
• Ensure financial systems are scalable to support the company's growth toward $1B+ in revenue.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing finance and accounting team.
• Set clear expectations, provide regular feedback, and build a culture of accountability and growth.
• Serve as an accessible and trusted resource for project teams and operational leaders who need financial support or guidance.
• Foster financial literacy across the organization by translating complex financial data into clear, actionable language for non-finance audiences.

Requirements

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive finance and accounting experience; at least 3 years in a senior finance leadership role.
• Deep experience in construction, real estate development, or a project-based industry—particularly with WIP accounting, job cost tracking, and bonding.
• Proven track record managing financial operations for a company in the $200M–$1B revenue range.
• Strong command of GAAP, financial reporting, internal controls, and compliance requirements.
• Experience leading budgeting, forecasting, and multi-entity financial consolidation.
• Proficiency with construction ERP and financial systems (Viewpoint, Sage, CMiC, or equivalent).
• Effective communicator who can translate financial complexity into plain language for operators and executives.
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field required; CPA preferred.
• Must be based in Iowa or willing to relocate; on-site presence across company offices is expected.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Operator: Owns the numbers and holds the team accountable for accuracy and timeliness. Gets into the details without losing the big picture.

Project Partner: Earns trust from PMs and field leaders by understanding how construction works and making financial data work for them—not against them.

Builder: Improves systems, processes, and team capabilities continuously. Finds friction and removes it.

Communicator: Delivers financial information clearly and directly to a wide audience—from superintendents to the executive team.

Culture Fit: Values accountability, transparency, and team. Earns respect by doing the work, not just directing it.