Explore Company
Director of Finance and Strategic Business Development
Explore Company, Westlake Village, California, United States, 91361
Five Oaks
The following information provides an overview of the skills, qualities, and qualifications needed for this role. Director of Finance and Strategic Business Development FiveOaks is seeking to recruit an individual to serve as Director ofFinance and Strategic Business Development at its entrepreneurialand innovative family-based operation in Arkansas County, Arkansas,located 10 miles south of Stuttgart, Arkansas. About Five Oaks: Located in the heart of the Mississippi Flyway, Five Oaks is anarray of family-based investments, a national leader in agriculturalresearch and education, and a world-renowned waterfowl huntinglodge. Established in 1983, Five Oaks Duck Lodge is a premierdestination for waterfowl hunting, offering exclusive access toflooded timber and rice fields. The lodge is renowned for itsexceptional hospitality and dedication to preserving the naturalenvironment. Adjacent to the lodge, Five Oaks Ag Research andEducation Center (FOAgREC) operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofitorganization focused on research and education in wetland andwaterfowl conservation. In partnership with the University ofArkansas at Monticello and the Arkansas System Division ofAgriculture, FOAgREC offers a graduate certificate program inWaterfowl Habitat and Recreation Management Program, providingstudents with hands-on fieldwork opportunities. The organizationalso emphasizes youth education through programs like “Camp in aBox,” aiming to instill a passion for the outdoors and conservationin the next generation. With a legacy rooted in family tradition anda forward-looking approach to environmental stewardship, Five Oakscontinues to lead in both recreational and conservation efforts. The Director of Finance & Strategic Business Development willserve as a key executive leader within a high-functioning familyoffice dedicated to managing and enhancing a portfolio ofagricultural, wildlife, and commercial real estate-basedinvestments. This role will oversee financial operations, businessdevelopment strategy, tax planning, and investment advisement,focusing on long-term sustainability and legacy planning. This is a unique opportunity to lead within a value-drivenenterprise that emphasizes conservation, land stewardship, andscientific research in wildlife and habitat management. The rolerequires a person who is a strategic thinker, collegial, possessingdemonstrated financial expertise and business judgment, and theability to build systems that support both operational excellenceand long-term generational planning. The new Director position willbe based in Five Oaks' main office, which is located 10 miles southof Stuttgart, Arkansas. The Director of Finance and Strategic Business Development willbe challenged to meet the following goals and responsibilities: Financial Management & Strategy Oversee and direct all aspects offinancial operations, including accounting, cash flowmanagement, and budgeting. Develop long-term financial strategiesaligned with the family’s mission and growth goals. Monitor performance of investmentportfolios, including land, agriculture, commercial real estate,and private equity holdings. Manage banking relationships, financialrisk, insurance, and audit activities and oversee financialoperations of commercial real estate portfolio. Develop and manage the financial aspectsof grant opportunities, reporting, and building strategicrelationships with grant partners. Prepare and deliver financial reporting,dashboards, and performance insights to the principal andadvisors. Business Development & Strategic Growth Identify and evaluate new ventures across agriculture,hospitality, conservation fields and commercial real estateopportunities. Lead financial due diligence andmodeling for new land acquisitions or business opportunities. Structure and negotiate partnerships,leases, and business agreements with external operators andvendors. Support the expansion and monetizationof sustainable hunting, outfitting, and research-based programs. Tax & Compliance Advisory Serve as the primary liaison for taxstrategy, preparation, and compliance in coordination withexternal accountants and attorneys. Advise on trust, estate, andphilanthropic structures from tax optimization and compliancelens. Ensure adherence to all regulatory andlegal requirements across business entities and investmenttypes. Maintain accurate records for realestate, investment holdings, and financial transactions. Provide financial oversight and capitalplanning for the management of a private hunting lodge andassociated grounds. Coordinate property maintenance and usewith property managers, hospitality teams, and conservationexperts. Evaluate capital projects related toland improvements, facilities, and guest experience enhancement. Professional Qualifications andPersonal Attributes The Director of Finance and Strategic Business Development shouldideally possess the following professional qualifications andpersonal attributes: Active Certified Public Accountant (CPA)designation or comparable education and experience. 10+ years of experience in fiscalmanagement, investment advisory, or strategic planning. Prior experience in a family office,private equity firm, or conservation-oriented organization is aplus. Deep understanding of real estate, taxadvisory, and long-term asset management. Background in industries such asagriculture, natural resource management, land conservation,hospitality and commercial real estate. Proven history of developing financialinfrastructure and driving strategic business decisions. Highly organized with the ability tomanage diverse portfolios and navigate ambiguity with discretionand integrity. Comfortable working closely with aprincipal in a confidential, relationship-based environment. Collegial, trustworthy, and possessingthe highest level of personal and professional integrity. Adept interpersonal communicationskills, including an ability to present complex ideas in acompelling manner and an ability to build trust and listeneffectively. Compensation Five Oaks offers a competitive base salary along withperformance-based bonus opportunities. Generous health, dental andretirement plan options. Access to exclusive conservation andhunting lodge resources. Relocation support is offered. How to Apply Interested candidates should email a cover letter explaining howtheir skills and background fit this position and a resume to:Daniel Sherman, President, Explore Company atresumes@explorecompany.com . Refer to Five Oaks/DFSBD inthe subject line. No phone inquiries please. All correspondence will remainconfidential.
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The following information provides an overview of the skills, qualities, and qualifications needed for this role. Director of Finance and Strategic Business Development FiveOaks is seeking to recruit an individual to serve as Director ofFinance and Strategic Business Development at its entrepreneurialand innovative family-based operation in Arkansas County, Arkansas,located 10 miles south of Stuttgart, Arkansas. About Five Oaks: Located in the heart of the Mississippi Flyway, Five Oaks is anarray of family-based investments, a national leader in agriculturalresearch and education, and a world-renowned waterfowl huntinglodge. Established in 1983, Five Oaks Duck Lodge is a premierdestination for waterfowl hunting, offering exclusive access toflooded timber and rice fields. The lodge is renowned for itsexceptional hospitality and dedication to preserving the naturalenvironment. Adjacent to the lodge, Five Oaks Ag Research andEducation Center (FOAgREC) operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofitorganization focused on research and education in wetland andwaterfowl conservation. In partnership with the University ofArkansas at Monticello and the Arkansas System Division ofAgriculture, FOAgREC offers a graduate certificate program inWaterfowl Habitat and Recreation Management Program, providingstudents with hands-on fieldwork opportunities. The organizationalso emphasizes youth education through programs like “Camp in aBox,” aiming to instill a passion for the outdoors and conservationin the next generation. With a legacy rooted in family tradition anda forward-looking approach to environmental stewardship, Five Oakscontinues to lead in both recreational and conservation efforts. The Director of Finance & Strategic Business Development willserve as a key executive leader within a high-functioning familyoffice dedicated to managing and enhancing a portfolio ofagricultural, wildlife, and commercial real estate-basedinvestments. This role will oversee financial operations, businessdevelopment strategy, tax planning, and investment advisement,focusing on long-term sustainability and legacy planning. This is a unique opportunity to lead within a value-drivenenterprise that emphasizes conservation, land stewardship, andscientific research in wildlife and habitat management. The rolerequires a person who is a strategic thinker, collegial, possessingdemonstrated financial expertise and business judgment, and theability to build systems that support both operational excellenceand long-term generational planning. The new Director position willbe based in Five Oaks' main office, which is located 10 miles southof Stuttgart, Arkansas. The Director of Finance and Strategic Business Development willbe challenged to meet the following goals and responsibilities: Financial Management & Strategy Oversee and direct all aspects offinancial operations, including accounting, cash flowmanagement, and budgeting. Develop long-term financial strategiesaligned with the family’s mission and growth goals. Monitor performance of investmentportfolios, including land, agriculture, commercial real estate,and private equity holdings. Manage banking relationships, financialrisk, insurance, and audit activities and oversee financialoperations of commercial real estate portfolio. Develop and manage the financial aspectsof grant opportunities, reporting, and building strategicrelationships with grant partners. Prepare and deliver financial reporting,dashboards, and performance insights to the principal andadvisors. Business Development & Strategic Growth Identify and evaluate new ventures across agriculture,hospitality, conservation fields and commercial real estateopportunities. Lead financial due diligence andmodeling for new land acquisitions or business opportunities. Structure and negotiate partnerships,leases, and business agreements with external operators andvendors. Support the expansion and monetizationof sustainable hunting, outfitting, and research-based programs. Tax & Compliance Advisory Serve as the primary liaison for taxstrategy, preparation, and compliance in coordination withexternal accountants and attorneys. Advise on trust, estate, andphilanthropic structures from tax optimization and compliancelens. Ensure adherence to all regulatory andlegal requirements across business entities and investmenttypes. Maintain accurate records for realestate, investment holdings, and financial transactions. Provide financial oversight and capitalplanning for the management of a private hunting lodge andassociated grounds. Coordinate property maintenance and usewith property managers, hospitality teams, and conservationexperts. Evaluate capital projects related toland improvements, facilities, and guest experience enhancement. Professional Qualifications andPersonal Attributes The Director of Finance and Strategic Business Development shouldideally possess the following professional qualifications andpersonal attributes: Active Certified Public Accountant (CPA)designation or comparable education and experience. 10+ years of experience in fiscalmanagement, investment advisory, or strategic planning. Prior experience in a family office,private equity firm, or conservation-oriented organization is aplus. Deep understanding of real estate, taxadvisory, and long-term asset management. Background in industries such asagriculture, natural resource management, land conservation,hospitality and commercial real estate. Proven history of developing financialinfrastructure and driving strategic business decisions. Highly organized with the ability tomanage diverse portfolios and navigate ambiguity with discretionand integrity. Comfortable working closely with aprincipal in a confidential, relationship-based environment. Collegial, trustworthy, and possessingthe highest level of personal and professional integrity. Adept interpersonal communicationskills, including an ability to present complex ideas in acompelling manner and an ability to build trust and listeneffectively. Compensation Five Oaks offers a competitive base salary along withperformance-based bonus opportunities. Generous health, dental andretirement plan options. Access to exclusive conservation andhunting lodge resources. Relocation support is offered. How to Apply Interested candidates should email a cover letter explaining howtheir skills and background fit this position and a resume to:Daniel Sherman, President, Explore Company atresumes@explorecompany.com . Refer to Five Oaks/DFSBD inthe subject line. No phone inquiries please. All correspondence will remainconfidential.
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