VP of Finance - Defense Programs #0610

Our client, a private equity-backed defense manufacturer headquartered in Ohio, is seeking a Vice President of Finance to lead and strengthen the organization’s financial foundation. The company is a respected subcontractor with longstanding ties across the naval and aerospace supply chain and operates in full accordance with FAR, DFAR, and CAS standards.

This is a newly established, highly visible leadership opportunity created with succession planning in mind. The successful candidate will play a central role in enabling the CFO to focus on growth initiatives and acquisitions, while building toward a clear path to future CFO responsibility. For a finance executive who wants to lead independently, shape financial strategy, and leave a lasting mark, this role offers significant long-term potential.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with senior leadership across the business to improve operational performance and efficiency
• Oversee the finance and accounting function, ensuring accurate and timely delivery of financial reporting, forecasting, budgeting, audits, certified cost and pricing, and job cost reporting
• Guide the continued development of the company’s internally built ERP/finance platform, with an emphasis on process improvement and a more efficient, accurate close cycle
• Provide financial leadership on working capital needs, capital deployment, and cash flow strategy, including assessing capex opportunities through a return-on-investment lens
• Manage, mentor, and further develop a lean but experienced finance team in a dynamic, fast-moving environment
• Act as a trusted advisor to the executive team on topics such as investment priorities, capital allocation, and overall business performance
• Help ensure receivables are closely managed and collections are executed in line with agreed terms
• Take part as a senior leader in strategic planning efforts, ensuring financial plans support the company’s long-range objectives
• Produce and circulate core financial reporting packages for executive stakeholders
• Work closely with the CFO on cash flow forecasting, management reporting, and board and lender materials
• Apply benchmarking, financial modeling, and performance metrics to evaluate the scalability, risk profile, and impact of strategic initiatives
• Monitor the financial health of existing and prospective customers in order to reduce exposure to risk

Requirements

• Demonstrated success leading a small finance/accounting team
• Strong skills in financial reporting, analysis, and modeling
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Accounting
• Ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, and evolving organization
• At least 10 years of progressive experience in finance and/or accounting positions
• Prior experience with percentage-of-completion accounting
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management capabilities across all levels of the organization
• US citizenship is required
• Experience in multi-site manufacturing environments and financial statement consolidation
• Proven ERP experience, including implementation work or substantial process improvement within an ERP setting
• Hands-on expertise in defense manufacturing accounting, including working knowledge of FAR, DFAR, and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS)

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA credential
• Previous experience in a CFO succession or CFO-track role
• Background within a private equity-backed portfolio company, including exposure to equity-based incentive structures and liquidity events

Benefits

• Base Salary: ~$220,000 - $250 000
• Bonus: Performance-based bonus
• Equity: Equity participation through the Management Incentive Plan (MIP)
• Vacation: 3 weeks
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, and ancillary coverage
• Retirement: 401(k)

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