Director, CFO Advisory (Business Transformation)

At Stout, we’re dedicated to exceeding expectations in all we do – we call it Relentless Excellence ®. Both our client service and culture are second to none, stemming from our firmwide embrace of our core values: Positive and Team-Oriented, Accountable, Committed, Relationship-Focused, Super-Responsive, and being Great communicators. Sound like a place you can grow and succeed? Read on to learn more about an exciting opportunity to join our team.

Impact You'll Make

• Lead CFO Advisory engagements focused on improving financial and operational performance, identifying opportunities for cost reduction, margin enhancement, and sustainable value creation.
• Partner with CFOs, executive leadership teams, and private equity sponsors to develop and execute finance transformation and operational improvement initiatives.
• Assess working capital performance, including inventory management, order-to-cash processes, and cash conversion, to identify and implement measurable improvements.
• Lead post-acquisition value creation initiatives, helping organizations capture transaction synergies, improve operating performance, and achieve strategic objectives.
• Translate complex financial and operational data into actionable recommendations that improve profitability, cash flow, and business performance.

What You'll Do

• Partner with clients ranging from middle-market businesses to large organizations across a variety of industries, including private equity-backed and corporate environments.
• Lead finance transformation and performance improvement engagements, working at the intersection of finance, operations, and business strategy.
• Evaluate and improve working capital management, including inventory optimization, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and order-to-cash processes.
• Identify and execute SG&A cost reduction opportunities through organizational assessments, process improvements, and operating model enhancements.
• Develop and implement margin improvement initiatives through profitability analysis, cost structure assessments, and operational performance reviews.
• Support post-close value creation initiatives, including synergy realization, financial performance improvement, and execution of strategic transformation plans.
• Assess finance functions, processes, and operating models to identify opportunities for greater efficiency, scalability, and effectiveness.
• Develop financial models, business cases, and performance metrics to support executive decision-making and measure transformation outcomes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to implement initiatives that improve financial visibility, accountability, and operational execution.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to CFOs and executive leadership teams, presenting findings, recommendations, and implementation plans.
• Manage multiple client engagements, including project scope, deliverables, budgets, timelines, and team performance.
• Mentor and develop junior professionals, providing coaching, technical guidance, and engagement leadership.
• Actively participate in business development activities, including identifying client opportunities, developing proposals, and expanding existing relationships.
• Identify opportunities to use technology, automation, and AI-enabled tools to improve financial analysis, reporting, and business processes.
• Contribute to the continued growth of Stout's CFO Advisory practice through service development, thought leadership, and relationship building.

What You Bring

• Strong understanding of corporate finance, financial planning and analysis, operational finance, and business transformation.
• Demonstrated experience leading finance transformation, performance improvement, or value creation initiatives.
• Expertise in working capital optimization, including inventory management, cash conversion, and order-to-cash process improvement.
• Experience identifying and implementing SG&A cost reduction and margin enhancement opportunities.
• Understanding of post-acquisition integration and value creation, preferably within private equity-backed or transaction-oriented environments.
• Ability to evaluate business operations and financial performance to identify opportunities for improved profitability and cash flow.
• Strong financial modeling, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities with the ability to translate findings into practical business recommendations.
• Experience developing and implementing strategic initiatives that require collaboration across finance, operations, and executive leadership.
• Proven ability to manage complex client engagements and lead cross-functional project teams.
• Experience presenting financial and operational recommendations to CFOs, C-suite executives, and private equity stakeholders.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a demonstrated ability to develop client relationships and contribute to business development efforts.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver results within demanding timelines.
• Relationship-focused approach to client service, team collaboration, and stakeholder management.
• Familiarity with financial systems, ERP platforms, business intelligence tools, and emerging technologies used to support finance transformation.
• Interest in using AI and automation to improve financial analysis, operational efficiency, and decision-making.

Education and/or Training

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field.
• 10+ years of relevant experience in finance transformation, management consulting, operational improvement, corporate finance, or transaction-related value creation.
• MBA or other relevant advanced degree preferred.
• Experience within a consulting or advisory environment, corporate finance leadership role, private equity portfolio operations team, or similar setting.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex finance and operational transformation initiatives.
• Experience supporting private equity-backed businesses, post-acquisition integration, or value creation programs preferred.
• Industry experience may include manufacturing, consumer products, distribution, healthcare, business services, and other operationally complex environments.
• CPA is not required; emphasis is placed on financial, operational, and transformation expertise.

How You'll Thrive

• Embrace changing client-imposed deadlines with flexibility and adaptability.
• Exhibit strong organizational skills to manage competing priorities effectively.
• Demonstrate an ability to move between strategic recommendations and hands-on implementation to achieve measurable client results.
• Build trusted relationships with executive stakeholders through practical advice, sound judgment, and a strong understanding of business operations.
• Collaborate with engagement leaders and team members while embodying Stout's core values: Positive and Team-Oriented, Accountable, Committed, Relationship-Focused, Super-Responsive, and being Great Communicators.
• Demonstrate a commitment to delivering Relentless Excellence® in client service and team collaboration.

Why Stout?
At Stout, we offer a comprehensive Total Rewards program with competitive compensation, benefits, and wellness options tailored to support employees at every stage of life.

We foster a culture of inclusion and respect, embracing diverse perspectives and experiences to drive innovation and success. Our leadership is committed to inclusion and belonging across the organization and in the communities we serve.

We invest in professional growth through ongoing training, mentorship, employee resource groups, and clear performance feedback, ensuring our employees are supported in achieving their career goals.

Stout provides flexible work schedules and a discretionary time off policy to promote work-life balance and help employees lead fulfilling lives.

Learn more about our benefits and commitment to your success.

https://www.stout.com/en/careers/benefits

The specific statements shown in each section of this description are not intended to be all-inclusive. They represent typical elements and criteria necessary to successfully perform the job.

Stout is an Equal Employment Opportunity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment on the basis of valid job requirements, qualifications and merit without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law. 

Stout is required by applicable state and local laws to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. The range for this role considers several factors including but not limited to prior work and industry experience, education level, and unique skills. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for any applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

A reasonable estimate of the current range is $145,000.00 - $300,000.00 . This role is also anticipated to be eligible to participate in an annual bonus plan. Information about benefits can be found here - https://www.stout.com/en/careers/benefits.