VP, Finance

Stella Rising is the leading marketing and media agency for spirited, high-growth consumer brands and service companies. The VP of Finance is responsible for managing and oversight of accounting team with particular focus on financial reporting, budgeting & analysis and will serve as the agency's financial business partner, providing strategic planning, budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, and performance analysis across the organization. This position is designed for a hands-on finance leader who can operate effectively in a small to mid-sized agency environment. The role requires both strategic thinking and day-to-day collaboration and support across all Department with responsibility for providing financial reporting, developing financial insights that lead to operating efficiencies and improved profitability. This position will play a primary role in helping to plan, develop and support all aspects of financial planning while providing key insights and analysis to executive decision makers. The ideal candidate must be located in the NY Metro area . Key Responsibilities including but not limited to: Lead the annual budgeting process Develop monthly, quarterly, and annual forecasts Work with HR and Department Leads to determine and plan proper staffing based on Client contracts and quarterly bookings along with Business Development activity and expected conversions Work with HR on developing and monitoring Department incentive plans Develop and monitor key operating metric goals to help drive improved profitability across the Agency Analyze variances between actual results, budgets, and forecasts providing key insights Analyze Direct contribution margins by team Monitor headcount productivity, billable hours and capacity utilization trends Analyze Client profitability to determine potential contract pricing or servicing revisions Evaluate pricing strategies and client profitability with Client Leads Track labor costs, compensation, and overhead expenses and develop recommendations to help improve operating margins or EBITDA Financial Planning and Forecasting Lead the annual budgeting process Develop monthly, quarterly, and annual forecasts Work with HR and Department Leads to determine and plan proper staffing based on Client contracts and quarterly bookings along with Business Development activity and expected conversions Work with HR on developing and monitoring Department incentive plans Develop and monitor key operating metric goals to help drive improved profitability across the Agency Analyze variances between actual results, budgets, and forecasts providing key insights Analyze Direct contribution margins by team Monitor headcount productivity, billable hours and capacity utilization trends Analyze Client profitability to determine potential contract pricing or servicing revisions Evaluate pricing strategies and client profitability with Client Leads Track labor costs, compensation, and overhead expenses and develop recommendations to help improve operating margins or EBITDA Reporting and Performance Analytics Prepare monthly financial reporting packages for executive leadership, Board Members and Lenders providing analysis and insights on comparisons to budget and prior year Work with Executive Leadership to develop and monitor key performance metrics and agency dashboards Provide visibility into the next quarter based on the latest Client bookings, new client wins and changes in staffing needs or operating costs Analyze Net Client fee revenue, direct service costs, direct contribution margins, operating expenses and EBITDA and EBITDA margins and provide trend analysis Process Improvement and Systems Management Improve budgeting and forecasting processes Develop standardized reporting tools and dashboards Ensure the integrity of financial data and reporting systems Collaborate with accounting on financial data accuracy Evaluate and implement FP&A technologies and reporting tools as needed Required Skills & Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, economics, or a related field MBA, CPA, CFA, or FP&A certification preferred 10+ years of progressive experience in accounting, finance, budgeting and financial planning and analysis Experience within an advertising agency, marketing services firm, consulting firm, or other professional services organization strongly preferred Experience supporting executive leadership and cross-functional teams Experience in identifying and implementing software, new operating procedures or processes that help to drive efficiencies and improve productivity and profit margins Advanced Excel modeling skills Experience with financial planning and reporting software Experience with Sage Intacct (Current Accounting system) or other similar agency management platforms Strong verbal and written communications skills Ability to work collaboratively across all levels of the organization Critical thinking and analysis Ability to provide accurate and timely reporting and key insights to Executive management and Board members Stella Rising is a women-led company that prizes diversity, creativity, hard work and intelligence, while keeping warmth, balance and human understanding at the core of our values. Named an Ad Age Best Workplace and an Inc. Best Workplace for five consecutive years, the company fosters an energetic and collaborative work environment where employees come first. In addition to surprising and delighting our team, we offer an environment where employee learning and recognition is prioritized. We take care of our team through a highly competitive benefits package that includes health, vision, dental, life insurance, a 401k with company match, wellness and technology reimbursements, home office setup support, over 7 weeks of PTO, plus Summer Fridays.

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