Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Dubuque Iowa/Tri State (Media, Communications) - Kreischer Miller

Kreischer Miller's Retained Executive Search (RES) group takes a highly personalized and collaborative approach to executive recruiting.  We work directly with owners of privately-held and family-owned companies to help build their leadership teams. Our goal is to find the best fit for our clients – top-tier executives who will make an immediate and long-term positive impact on your company.  Our RES group has a proven track record of locating talented senior-level executives. We are proud to be a perennial name on Philadelphia Business Journal’s list of Top 10 Retained Search Firms.

About Our Client:

Our client is located in the Tri-State Area of Dubuque, Iowa.  They are an ESOP client who began as a local newspaper almost 100 years ago.  They have continued to invest in the communities and customers they serve. They are engaged in diversification efforts by continuing to invest in community media, acquiring niche business-to-business publications, and creating a commercial printing facility.

About the Role:

Due to the impending retirement of a long tenured executive, our client is looking for a strategic thinking CFO willing to roll up their sleeves to oversee all accounting and financial aspects of the business.  The CFO will provide strategic leadership and guidance to ensure the sustainability and fiscal health of the company and future acquisitions

Responsibilities:

Leadership: Work with the Controller and Human Resources Director to supervise and direct Corporate Services operations and reporting. Coordinate and direct the development of Corporate Services policies, procedures, and methods to ensure that the financial and other records are maintained in an accurate and useful form.

Management: Hire, train, coach, develop, and appraise the performance of your team (including HR). Ensure that financial assets (cash, receivables and investments) and financial obligations are safeguarded and properly managed. Coordinate and oversee compliance with federal and state tax laws. Provide accurate and timely financial, forecasting, modeling, and analytical assistance in evaluating acquisitions and existing operations to the CEO/President and Board of Directors. Provide recommendations to Executive Division Leadership, division leaders, and other managers to improve profits through increased revenue, reduced expenses and more efficient use of resources. Provide strategic direction and management oversight of the Financial Services (FS) and Human Resources (HR) departments. Provide input and guidance to the Info Technology Administrative & Planning Team, as needed. Serve as a member of the company's Health Care Plan Committee and 401(k) Plan Committee.

Participatory Management (PM): By example and through empowerment, serve as a resource to others in implementing behavior related to the success of Participatory Management, customer service, and other important aspects of the company's ESOP culture.

SEC/ELT/Board: Serve as a member of the Executive Leadership Team and Strategic Executive Committee. Provide advice and counsel to the CEO & President, the Board of Directors and its committees (Audit Committee and Compensation, Governance & Development Committee) and other company officers regarding financial and operating matters.

Qualifications:

Behavior: Perceived as being an assertive (but not aggressive) leader who acts consistent with our client's values.  Acts in a manner that encourages employee owner involvement through participatory management.  Perceived as being approachable to others and a good communicator, high level of self-motivation, maintains confidentiality. Maintains a valid driver’s license and adequate automobile insurance.

Skills: Extraordinary general accounting, finance and management skills. Analytical and complex problem solving ability. Technical ESOP accounting skills are preferred. Excellent written and oral communication skills.  Strategic planning, leadership, negotiation and creative thinking skills.

Knowledge: 

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance with excellent computer skills.
• MBA, CPA, CMA or similar advanced degree or the equivalent in experience or training.
• Three to five years experience with in public accounting firm (or equivalent)
• Three to five years of financial leadership experience in a for-profit entity,
• Eight years experience managing people and working with members of boards of directors and top management. 
• Two years of experience analyzing and executing acquisitions and divestitures.
• Experience working with employee-owned companies preferred.

Candidates local to Dubuque Iowa given strong preference

Must be legally eligible to work in the US WITHOUT sponsorship