Chief Financial Officer with an Automotive OEM – Detroit, MI

Role Overview for Chief Financial Officer with an Automotive OEM – Detroit, MI

JRG Partners, a premier executive search firm, has been exclusively retained by a pioneering Automotive Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) based in the historic heart of the American auto industry, Detroit, MI. We are seeking a transformative and strategic Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to join their executive leadership team. This is a rare opportunity to steer the financial destiny of a major player during a period of unprecedented industry disruption and innovation, including the global shift towards electrification, autonomous driving, and connected vehicle technology.

The Chief Financial Officer will be a key strategic partner to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Board of Directors, serving as the principal architect of the company’s financial strategy and the steward of its fiscal health. You will be responsible for the entirety of the company’s financial operations, from capital structure and investor relations to operational accounting and risk management. The ideal candidate is not just a master of numbers but a visionary leader who can translate complex financial data into actionable business strategy, driving sustainable growth, profitability, and shareholder value. You will be instrumental in navigating the complexities of global supply chains, massive capital investments in new technologies, and the dynamic competitive landscape. This role demands a leader with exceptional business acumen, unwavering integrity, and a proven track record of financial leadership within the automotive or a related heavy manufacturing industry.

You will lead a large, multi-disciplinary team of finance professionals and foster a culture of high performance, continuous improvement, and rigorous financial discipline. Your leadership will be critical in shaping the company’s long-term future, ensuring it has the financial fortitude and strategic agility to capitalize on emerging opportunities and solidify its position as an industry leader for generations to come.

Key Responsibilities of Chief Financial Officer with an Automotive OEM – Detroit, MI

The CFO will have a broad and impactful scope of responsibilities, encompassing strategic financial planning, operational execution, and executive leadership. Key duties include:

Strategic Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)

• Partner with the CEO and executive team to develop and execute the company’s long-range strategic plan, providing robust financial modeling, analysis, and insights.
• Lead the annual budgeting and forecasting processes, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and establishing key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor performance against targets.
• Oversee the capital allocation process, evaluating major investment decisions, R&D projects, and M&A opportunities through rigorous financial due diligence and ROI analysis.
• Provide insightful analysis of financial results, trends, and variances to the executive team and Board of Directors, offering actionable recommendations for improvement.

Corporate Finance & Investor Relations

• Develop and manage the company’s capital structure, optimizing the mix of debt and equity to minimize the cost of capital and support growth initiatives.
• Lead all capital markets activities, including debt financing, equity offerings, and managing relationships with investment banks, credit rating agencies, and financial institutions.
• Serve as the primary liaison to the investment community, developing and executing a comprehensive investor relations strategy to ensure clear and consistent communication with shareholders, analysts, and potential investors.
• Oversee the company’s treasury function, including cash management, foreign exchange hedging, and investment of corporate funds.

Financial Operations & Controls

• Direct all accounting operations, ensuring the integrity and accuracy of financial records, and timely closing of the books in accordance with GAAP and/or IFRS.
• Oversee the preparation and filing of all required financial reports, including quarterly and annual reports for the SEC, if applicable.
• Maintain a robust system of internal controls to safeguard company assets and ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements, including Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX).
• Lead the tax planning and compliance functions to optimize the company’s tax position while ensuring full compliance with all federal, state, and international tax laws.
• Manage relationships with external auditors and ensure a clean and timely annual audit.

Risk Management

• Develop and implement a comprehensive enterprise risk management (ERM) framework to identify, assess, and mitigate key financial, operational, and strategic risks.
• Oversee the company’s insurance programs and risk mitigation strategies.
• Ensure compliance with all covenants and requirements of credit agreements and other financial instruments.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a world-class global finance organization, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and professional growth.
• Structure the finance team to effectively partner with business units, providing financial support and driving performance across the organization.
• Champion the adoption of new financial technologies and data analytics tools to enhance efficiency, improve decision-making, and drive digital transformation within the finance function.

Requirements for the Chief Financial Officer with an Automotive OEM – Detroit, MI

We are seeking a seasoned and accomplished executive with a deep understanding of the automotive industry’s financial intricacies. The qualifications for this role are rigorous, reflecting its strategic importance.

Education & Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field is required.
• An MBA from a top-tier institution and/or a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation is strongly preferred. A Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation is also highly regarded.

Professional Experience

• A minimum of 15-20 years of progressive financial leadership experience, with at least 5 years in a senior executive role (e.g., CFO, VP of Finance, Divisional CFO) within a large-scale, complex manufacturing organization.
• Direct experience within the automotive OEM or a major Tier 1 supplier environment is critically important.
• Proven experience leading the finance function of a publicly-traded company is highly desirable, including direct experience with SEC reporting and investor relations.
• A demonstrable track record of success in strategic financial planning, capital allocation, and M&A execution.
• Experience managing complex global operations, including multi-currency transactions and international tax structures.

Skills & Competencies

• Exceptional strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities, with the capacity to operate at both the strategic and tactical levels.
• Outstanding leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence and build credibility with the Board of Directors, executive team, investors, and employees at all levels.
• Deep expertise in financial modeling, forecasting, and analysis.
• A comprehensive understanding of evolving automotive industry financial standards and regulatory landscapes, including GAAP, IFRS, and SEC reporting.
• Unquestionable personal and professional integrity, a strong work ethic, and a commitment to the highest standards of corporate governance.

Benefits & Perks Offered

Our client is committed to attracting and retaining top-tier executive talent and offers a compensation and benefits package commensurate with the responsibilities of this critical role. The package includes:

Executive Compensation

A highly competitive base salary, a significant annual performance-based bonus, and a substantial long-term equity incentive plan (LTI) designed to reward long-term value creation.

Comprehensive Health & Wellness

Premier medical, dental, and vision insurance plans for you and your eligible dependents, along with robust life and disability insurance coverage.

Retirement Planning

A 401(k) retirement savings plan with a generous company match and potential for additional executive deferred compensation plans.

Executive Perks

Benefits befitting a C-level role, which may include a company vehicle allowance, club memberships, and comprehensive financial planning services.

Relocation

A full and comprehensive relocation package will be provided to the successful candidate and their family to facilitate a smooth transition to the vibrant Detroit metropolitan area.

Work-Life Balance

Generous paid time off (PTO), company holidays, and a commitment to supporting the well-being of our leadership team.

How to Apply

JRG Partners has been exclusively retained for this critical Chief Financial Officer search. We are seeking candidates who not only meet the stringent requirements but who are also passionate about shaping the future of mobility. If you are a visionary financial leader ready to take on this challenging and rewarding opportunity, we encourage you to apply.

To express your interest, please submit your confidential resume and a compelling cover letter detailing your qualifications and your vision for this role. All inquiries and applications will be handled with the utmost discretion.

To learn more about our deep expertise in placing top executives within this dynamic sector, we invite you to explore our Automotive Executive Search practice.