Role Overview for CFO, Portfolio Company with a PE-backed Retail Co. – New York, NY
JRG Partners has been exclusively retained to lead the search for a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for a high-growth, private equity-backed retail company headquartered in New York, NY. This is a transformative opportunity for a seasoned and strategic financial executive to join a dynamic leadership team and play a pivotal role in the company’s next phase of expansion and value creation. Our client is a well-established player in the consumer retail space, renowned for its innovative products and strong brand loyalty. With a recent infusion of capital from a top-tier private equity sponsor, the company is poised for aggressive growth through both organic initiatives and strategic acquisitions.
The CFO will serve as a true strategic partner to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Board of Directors, providing critical financial and operational leadership. This role extends far beyond traditional accounting and reporting; the ideal candidate will be a key architect of the company’s strategy, a driver of operational excellence, and a crucial liaison to the private equity sponsor. You will be responsible for the entire financial infrastructure of the organization, ensuring the company has the systems, processes, and talent to scale effectively.
This position requires a hands-on leader who can balance high-level strategy with day-to-day execution, thriving in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment. The ultimate goal is to maximize enterprise value and guide the company toward a successful exit within the PE firm’s investment horizon, which will require sophisticated financial stewardship, insightful analysis, and a forward-looking perspective. You will be instrumental in shaping the financial narrative of the company, communicating performance, risks, and opportunities to all stakeholders with clarity and conviction.
Key Responsibilities of CFO, Portfolio Company with a PE-backed Retail Co. – New York, NY
Strategic Financial Leadership & Business Partnership
- Act as a key strategic partner to the CEO, executive team, and Board of Directors, providing financial insights and recommendations to drive business performance and long-term value.
- Develop and execute the company’s financial strategy in alignment with the overall business objectives and the PE sponsor’s value creation plan.
- Lead the annual strategic planning, budgeting, and forecasting processes, ensuring financial plans are robust, achievable, and linked to strategic goals.
- Provide leadership in M&A activities, including target identification, financial due diligence, valuation, deal structuring, and post-merger integration to ensure seamless transitions and synergy realization.
- Establish and maintain strong relationships with the private equity sponsor, delivering timely and accurate reporting, sophisticated financial analysis, and proactive communication.
Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)
- Build and lead a best-in-class FP&A function that provides deep insights into business drivers, trends, and performance metrics.
- Oversee the development of complex financial models to support strategic initiatives, investment decisions, and long-range planning.
- Develop and manage key performance indicators (KPIs) across the organization, creating dashboards and reporting mechanisms to monitor performance against targets.
- Analyze financial results, distill key trends, assess current and future business risk, and communicate critical insights to the executive team and board.
- Drive a culture of data-driven decision-making throughout the organization, empowering departmental leaders with the financial tools and knowledge they need to manage their P&Ls effectively.
Controllership, Treasury & Operations
- Oversee all accounting operations, including the monthly/quarterly/annual close process, financial reporting, A/R, A/P, GL, and payroll.
- Ensure the integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of all financial reporting in accordance with US GAAP standards.
- Manage the company’s liquidity and cash flow, including the development of a robust 13-week cash flow forecast and optimization of working capital.
- Lead all treasury functions, including managing banking relationships, debt facilities, and covenant compliance.
- Implement and maintain a rigorous system of internal controls to safeguard company assets and ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements.
- Oversee tax strategy and compliance, coordinating with external tax advisors to minimize tax liabilities and risk.
Systems, Processes, and Scalability
- Evaluate and enhance the company’s financial technology stack, including ERP and business intelligence systems, to support growth and improve efficiency.
- Lead initiatives to streamline financial processes, automate manual tasks, and improve the quality and speed of financial reporting and analysis.
- Develop a scalable financial infrastructure that can support future acquisitions and organic growth without compromising control or efficiency.
- Champion the use of technology and data analytics to provide a competitive advantage and a deeper understanding of the business. The ability to navigate and implement a successful private equity value creation model is paramount.
Requirements for the CFO, Portfolio Company with a PE-backed Retail Co. – New York, NY
Professional Experience
- A minimum of 15 years of progressive financial leadership experience, with at least 5 years in a CFO or VP of Finance role.
- Mandatory experience serving as a CFO for a private equity-backed company, with a proven track record of successfully partnering with sponsors and driving value creation.
- Significant experience within the retail, CPG, or direct-to-consumer (DTC) industries is strongly preferred. A deep understanding of retail-specific metrics (e.g., inventory management, gross margin, customer acquisition cost) is critical.
- Demonstrated experience leading the full lifecycle of M&A transactions, from initial diligence through successful integration.
- Experience managing relationships with lenders and navigating debt covenants is essential.
- A history of successfully leading a company through a significant growth phase and/or a successful exit event (sale or IPO) is highly desirable.
Skills & Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field is required. An MBA and/or CPA designation is strongly preferred.
- Exceptional leadership and team-building skills, with the ability to recruit, mentor, and develop a high-performing finance and accounting team.
- A ‘roll-up-the-sleeves’ mentality; comfortable operating at both the strategic and tactical levels.
- Outstanding communication and presentation skills, with the ability to distill complex financial concepts and present them clearly to financial and non-financial audiences.
- Expert-level financial modeling and analytical skills.
- Deep knowledge of US GAAP, internal controls, and financial reporting.
- High emotional intelligence, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to build trust and credibility with all stakeholders.
Benefits & Perks Offered
Our client offers a highly competitive and compelling compensation package designed to attract and retain a top-tier executive. This includes:
- A competitive base salary and annual performance-based bonus.
- A significant equity stake in the company, providing a substantial wealth creation opportunity tied to a successful exit.
- Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance for you and your dependents.
- A 401(k) retirement plan with a generous company match.
- Generous paid time off (PTO) and company holidays to support work-life balance.
- Company-paid life insurance and disability coverage.
- A professional development stipend to support continuous learning and career growth.
- Relocation assistance for the right candidate.
How to Apply
This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on a rapidly growing company with a strong market position and the backing of a premier private equity firm. If you are a results-driven, strategic financial leader who thrives in a dynamic, PE-backed environment, we encourage you to apply. To be considered for this confidential search, please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your relevant experience. JRG Partners is a leader in executive recruitment, and we invite you to learn more about our expertise within the finance and private equity sectors. For more information on our specialized services, please visit the page for JRG Partners’ Private Equity executive search practice. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.
