Senior Associate

Senior Associate – Office of the CFO Executive Search Location: Cleveland, OH About the Firm Our client is a specialized retained executive search firm dedicated to recruiting senior finance leaders for public companies, private equity-backed organizations, and privately owned businesses. The firm has established a strong reputation for partnering with boards, CEOs, and investors on critical leadership appointments that drive financial performance and organizational growth. Focused exclusively on the Office of the CFO, the team advises clients on searches for Chief Financial Officers, Chief Accounting Officers, Controllers, FP&A leaders, Treasurers, Deputy CFOs, and other senior finance executives. With a boutique, Partner-led structure, professionals work directly alongside experienced search leaders on complex, high-impact assignments while benefiting from meaningful client exposure throughout every engagement. About the Role Our client is seeking a Senior Associate to join its growing Office of the CFO practice in Cleveland. This opportunity is ideal for an executive search professional who enjoys search execution but is equally motivated to develop into a client-facing, revenue-generating consultant over time. The successful candidate will partner closely with senior members of the firm, helping to execute retained searches while building expertise across finance leadership markets. As experience and commercial confidence grow, the role offers increasing responsibility in client management, business development, and search origination, creating a well-defined pathway toward a Principal position. Rather than serving as a purely delivery-focused resource, this individual will become an integral part of client strategy, market intelligence, and long-term practice growth. Key Responsibilities Execute Senior-Level Searches Drive research, talent mapping, candidate identification, and outreach for retained executive search engagements across the Office of the CFO. Conduct comprehensive candidate interviews and evaluations while preparing detailed candidate reports and client-ready presentations. Partner with senior consultants throughout every phase of the search process, from kickoff through offer negotiation and completion. Support Client Engagement Participate in search strategy meetings and client discussions. Develop a strong understanding of each client's business model, ownership structure, financial priorities, and leadership requirements. Contribute informed recommendations and market perspectives throughout active assignments. Develop Market Expertise Monitor executive movement across public companies, private equity portfolio companies, and privately held organizations. Build deep knowledge of finance leadership functions, including accounting, controllership, FP&A, treasury, capital markets, and investor relations. Grow Commercially Learn the fundamentals of business development within retained executive search. Assist with market mapping, relationship development, and prospective client outreach. Progressively assume greater responsibility for client relationships with the long-term objective of generating and leading your own search assignments. Qualifications Bachelor's degree required. Five or more years of experience within executive search, finance recruiting, professional services, or a related advisory environment. Experience recruiting finance and accounting leadership talent is strongly preferred. Excellent communication, interviewing, and relationship-building skills with the confidence to engage senior executives. Strong organizational abilities and the capacity to manage multiple retained search assignments simultaneously. Intellectual curiosity, sound judgment, and a genuine desire to build a long-term career focused on the Office of the CFO marketplace. Why Consider This Opportunity? Work directly with experienced Partners on high-profile retained search engagements. Gain meaningful exposure to board-level, investor-backed, and C-suite hiring decisions. Join a collaborative boutique environment with broad responsibility and direct client interaction. Benefit from a clearly defined career path toward leading searches, developing client relationships, and ultimately building your own book of business. Build specialized expertise within one of the most influential executive functions in today's business landscape. This opportunity is well suited for a Senior Associate who wants more than exceptional search execution. It offers the chance to become a trusted advisor to finance leaders while developing into a future business builder within a respected retained executive search firm. #J-18808-Ljbffr Paul Bridges Group