Head of Finance / Vice President of Finance

Head Of Finance / Vice President Of Finance

Chicago, Washington, D.C. or New York City preferred; remote possible | Full-Time

Fifty Thousand Feet is an independent, global design consultancy that builds timeless brands for discerning audiences. Our work spans brand strategy and identity, marketing communications, digital experiences, and integrated campaigns—bringing together strategy, design, and technology to help brands connect more deeply with their customers.

As the firm continues to grow and expand its global client portfolio, we are seeking a Vice President of Finance to serve as the firm's senior financial leader and strategic partner to the executive team. Working closely with the CEO, COO, CCO and Board of Directors, this role will guide the company's financial strategy and performance while strengthening the financial infrastructure needed to support future strategic opportunities. The firm operates within a private equity–backed ownership structure and is pursuing disciplined growth including strategic acquisitions.

The VP of Finance will be both architect and operator of the firm's financial function—responsible for shaping the financial structure, systems, and discipline required to support sustained growth, strong margins, and strategic expansion, including mergers and acquisitions.

As a key voice in executive decision-making, the VP of Finance will bring financial rigor and strategic perspective to the firm's most important initiatives, helping translate creative ambition into durable business value. This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for both financial strategy and operational execution, including ownership of close, controls, reporting, and the financial systems that support the firm's services-based economic model.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the CEO, COO, and CCO to shape the firm's financial strategy in support of long-term growth, profitability, and enterprise value creationPartner with executive leadership and investors to manage the financial performance of a private. equity–backed services business, including oversight of capital structure, debt facilities, and investor reporting.
• Provide financial insight related to enterprise value creation, including margin expansion, operational leverage, and capital efficiency.
• Provide strategic financial insight to support executive decision-making, including capital allocation, investment priorities, and risk management.
• Lead financial reporting and analysis for executive leadership and the Board of Directors in partnership with the COO and CEO.
• Establish company-wide financial discipline, accountability, and performance visibility
• Advise leadership on services-based business economics, including utilization, pricing, margin optimization, and capacity planning.
• Partner with the COO to ensure the firm's financial infrastructure and reporting support board-level visibility and potential strategic transactions.

Strategic Client Finance

• Develop and evolve pricing frameworks, financial models, and tools that enable Client Partners and Producers to scope engagements confidently and consistently.
• Partner with client leadership to structure, model, and price complex engagements and long-term client relationships.
• Lead financial modeling and pricing strategy for large, multi-workstream, or non-standard engagements.
• Analyze profitability across clients, practices, and geographies to inform strategic focus and investment decisions.

Financial Planning & Analysis

• Lead the company's annual budgeting, forecasting, and long-range financial planning processes.
• Implement disciplined cash management practices including DSO optimization, cash forecasting, and working capital management.
• Monitor performance against plan and provide insight into key financial drivers, risks, and opportunities.
• Develop forward-looking financial models to evaluate growth scenarios, investments, and strategic initiatives.
• Deliver clear, executive-ready monthly and quarterly reporting packages with actionable insights.
• Ensure financial insights inform decisions related to pricing, resourcing, hiring, and investment.

Accounting & Financial Operations

• Oversee accounting operations including general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, and revenue recognition for services engagements.
• Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close, ensuring accuracy, discipline, and consistency.
• Produce clear financial statements and reporting packages including P&L, balance sheet, cash flow, and supporting schedules.
• Strengthen financial systems, internal controls, and reporting infrastructure to support a growing multi-entity business.
• Ensure financial records and documentation are audit-ready and compliant with internal standards.

Capital Strategy, Compliance & M&A

• Lead capital planning, liquidity management, and working capital optimization.
• Oversee banking relationships, credit facilities, and lender reporting requirements, including covenant monitoring, liquidity forecasting, and compliance with debt agreements.
• Manage the company's working capital position, including cash forecasting, revolving credit facility utilization, borrowing base management, and lender reporting.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, tax regulations, and reporting obligations.
• Serve as the primary finance contact for external accountants, auditors, tax advisors, and banking partners.
• Lead financial evaluation of acquisition opportunities including valuation modeling, financial diligence, integration planning, and post-transaction performance tracking, particularly for tuck-in acquisitions within a professional services platform.

Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop the finance team, including both full-time and fractional colleagues.
• Establish clear goals, performance expectations, and professional development pathways.
• Foster a culture of rigor, transparency, and partnership across the organization.
• Elevate financial literacy and decision-making capability across leadership teams.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field.
• 14+ years of progressive experience in finance, accounting, or financial operations.
• Significant experience in agency, consulting, or professional services environments.
• Experience operating within a private equity–backed or investor-owned company environment.
• Experience managing debt facilities, lender relationships, and covenant compliance.
• Experience with cash-flow intensive professional services businesses.
• Experience leading or owning the finance function within a services-based business.
• Deep understanding of professional services economics, including utilization, pricing, margin management, and revenue recognition.
• Strong command of financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, GAAP, and services-based revenue recognition.
• Demonstrated ownership of enterprise financial operations, including monthly close, financial controls, and reporting infrastructure.
• Proven experience building and leading finance teams and partnering closely with executive leadership.
• Experience preparing executive and board-level financial reporting and analysis.
• Experience leading preparation of investor reporting materials including board decks, lender reporting packages, and performance analysis aligned with investor expectations.
• Experience supporting strategic transactions, mergers and acquisitions, or investor diligence.

Preferred

• CPA, CFA, and/or MBA
• Experience in a PE-backed agency, consulting firm, or professional services platform. Skills & Competencies
• Strong understanding of professional services economics, including utilization, pricing, margin, and capacity dynamics.
• Develop financial visibility across key operating metrics including utilization, realization, project margin, client concentration, and revenue per employee.
• Strategic and analytical thinker with the ability to translate financial insights into clear business decisions.
• Executive presence with the ability to influence senior leadership and partner effectively across functions.
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to translate complex financial concepts for non-financial stakeholders.
• High attention to detail while maintaining a clear view of broader business implications and long-term value creation.
• Advanced financial modeling capabilities and strong proficiency with financial systems and reporting tools (ERP experience preferred).

Reporting & Collaboration

• Reports to: Chief Operating Officer
• Strategic Partner to: CEO, Executive Leadership Team and Board
• Works cross-functionally with department heads across the firm

Our Commitment

At Fifty Thousand Feet, we believe that building and sustaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture is essential to creating meaningful work. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, age, national origin, marital status, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual