CFO/CIO

Pickleball Inc. is a high-growth, venture-backed company operating in the professional pickleball industry, scaling from a startup foundation into an established mid-market business. As we grow and expand our footprint across the United States and Internationally, we are looking for a hands-on financial leader who can build institutional rigor while keeping the speed and adaptability that got us here

Position Summary

The Chief Financial/Investment Officer will serve as a key strategic partner to the CEO and executive team, owning all aspects of the company’s financial strategy, planning, and operations. The CFO/CIO will professionalize financial systems and controls, lead fundraising and investor relations, and provide the financial insight needed to scale the business responsibly. The ideal candidate has experience taking a company through rapid growth stages and is comfortable operating with both strategic vision and operational detail.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership:

• Serve as a core member of the executive leadership team, advising the CEO and board on financial strategy, capital allocation, and growth priorities
• Translate business strategy into financial plans, models, and scenario analyses
• Partner with department heads to align budgets and resources with company priorities

Financial Planning & Analysis:

• Lead and oversee the annual budgeting process, rolling forecasts, and long-range financial planning, ensuring alignment with the company’s strategic objectives.
• Provide strategic oversight of the company’s financial models and planning tools, ensuring they remain accurate, relevant, and actionable to support pricing, unit economics, capital allocation, and growth decisions. Partner with the finance team responsible for maintaining and updating these models.
• Oversee the delivery of timely, accurate financial reporting and KPIs to the CEO, Board, investors, and other key stakeholders, providing clear insights into performance, trends, and key business drivers.

Fundraising & Capital Strategy:

• Lead fundraising efforts, including preparing materials, managing due diligence, and negotiating terms for future financing rounds
• Manage relationships with existing and prospective investors, lenders, and financial partners
• Evaluate and execute on debt facilities, credit lines, and other capital structure decisions

Accounting, Controls & Compliance:

• Build and scale accounting operations, internal controls, and financial systems appropriate for a growing organization
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, tax obligations, and relevant regulatory requirements
• Oversee audits, banking relationships, insurance, and risk management

Team & Operations:

• Build, mentor, and lead the Finance and Accounting team as the company scales
• Evaluate and implement financial systems/tools (ERP, billing, expense management) to support growth
• Partner with Human Resources on compensation strategy, equity plans, and headcount planning

Qualifications

Required:

• 10+ years of progressive finance/accounting experience, including 3+ years in a CFO, VP Finance, or equivalent senior finance leadership role
• Proven experience scaling finance functions at a high-growth company
• Track record leading or supporting fundraising (venture debt, equity rounds, or equivalent)
• Strong command of financial modeling, GAAP accounting, and financial systems
• Excellent communication skills, with experience presenting to boards and investors

Preferred:

• CPA, CFA, and/or MBA
• Experience in sports, media, entertainment, or live events businesses (professional sports league/franchise finance a strong plus)
• Familiarity with franchise-based business models, including revenue sharing, sponsorship/media deals, and multi-entity financial consolidation
• Experience preparing a company for later-stage growth, M&A, or eventual exit/IPO readiness
• Familiarity with modern finance stack tools (e.g., Sage Intacct, QuickBooks)