Lucas James Talent Partners
Senior VP Finance & Operations (Chicago)
Lucas James Talent Partners, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290
Senior Vice President: Finance & Operations
Position Overview The Senior Vice President of Finance & Operations is a key executive responsible for overseeing the firms financial performance, operational excellence, human resources, and long-term strategic growth. This hybrid role provides leadership in financial management, operational planning, project controls, risk management, and organizational efficiency. The ideal candidate brings extensive experience within the engineering, architecture, or construction (AEC) industries, with deep knowledge of project-based financial models and multi-disciplinary operations. REPORTS TO: CEO / PRESIDENT --- Key Responsibilities Financial Leadership & Strategy Provide executive oversight of all financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, and financial reporting. Develop and execute financial strategies to support growth, profitability, and long-term sustainability. Lead annual budgeting, multi-year planning, and capital allocation processes. Ensure accurate revenue recognition (e.g., percent-complete accounting) and compliance with GAAP and industry-specific standards. Present financial insights and strategic recommendations to the CEO and leadership team. Oversee banking relationships, credit facilities, insurance programs, and treasury operations. Direct internal controls, audit processes, and risk mitigation programs. Operational Leadership Oversee day-to-day operational functions across project management, finance, HR, and administrative areas. Develop and implement operational systems and processes to increase efficiency, quality, and profitability. Ensure resource planning, staffing allocations, and project delivery are aligned with company goals. Lead performance measurement programs, including KPIs for operations, project delivery, and financial health. Manage contracts, procurement, and vendor relationships at the enterprise level. Oversee development and optimization of ERP systems (e.g., Deltek, etc). Project Controls & Engineering Support Provide executive oversight of project budgeting, job costing, labor utilization, forecasting, and WIP reporting. Ensure project managers have clear financial visibility and operational resources to deliver work efficiently. Establish best practices for project lifecycle managementfrom proposal to closeout. Monitor project risks, contract compliance, and profitability across the portfolio. Strategic Planning & Business Growth Partner with the CEO and leadership team on long-term strategic planning and market positioning. Lead initiatives to expand service lines, geographic reach, and operational capacity. Help shape company culture and support the organization through change management. Leadership & Team Development Lead and mentor senior leaders in Finance, Operations, and HR. Build a high-performing, collaborative, and accountable organizational culture. Champion professional development, succession planning, and workforce optimization. Promote cross-department alignment and communication. --- Qualifications Bachelors degree in Accounting, Finance, Engineering, Business, or related field (MBA and/or CPA strongly preferred). 1015+ years of progressive financial and operational leadership experience, ideally in engineering, AEC, or project-based firms. Proven experience managing P&L, leading large teams, and driving company-wide operational excellence. Strong understanding of project accounting, WIP, cost control, labor utilization, and engineering project workflows. Experience with ERP systems such as Deltek Vision/Vantagepoint, Oracle, SAP, or similar. Exceptional analytical, communication, and executive leadership skills. Strong strategic thinking with the ability to execute operational plans effectively. --- Skills Executive leadership & decision-making Financial strategy & risk management Operational efficiency & process improvement Project-based financial management Cross-functional leadership Strategic planning & business growth Change management Strong communication and relationship-building
Position Overview The Senior Vice President of Finance & Operations is a key executive responsible for overseeing the firms financial performance, operational excellence, human resources, and long-term strategic growth. This hybrid role provides leadership in financial management, operational planning, project controls, risk management, and organizational efficiency. The ideal candidate brings extensive experience within the engineering, architecture, or construction (AEC) industries, with deep knowledge of project-based financial models and multi-disciplinary operations. REPORTS TO: CEO / PRESIDENT --- Key Responsibilities Financial Leadership & Strategy Provide executive oversight of all financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, and financial reporting. Develop and execute financial strategies to support growth, profitability, and long-term sustainability. Lead annual budgeting, multi-year planning, and capital allocation processes. Ensure accurate revenue recognition (e.g., percent-complete accounting) and compliance with GAAP and industry-specific standards. Present financial insights and strategic recommendations to the CEO and leadership team. Oversee banking relationships, credit facilities, insurance programs, and treasury operations. Direct internal controls, audit processes, and risk mitigation programs. Operational Leadership Oversee day-to-day operational functions across project management, finance, HR, and administrative areas. Develop and implement operational systems and processes to increase efficiency, quality, and profitability. Ensure resource planning, staffing allocations, and project delivery are aligned with company goals. Lead performance measurement programs, including KPIs for operations, project delivery, and financial health. Manage contracts, procurement, and vendor relationships at the enterprise level. Oversee development and optimization of ERP systems (e.g., Deltek, etc). Project Controls & Engineering Support Provide executive oversight of project budgeting, job costing, labor utilization, forecasting, and WIP reporting. Ensure project managers have clear financial visibility and operational resources to deliver work efficiently. Establish best practices for project lifecycle managementfrom proposal to closeout. Monitor project risks, contract compliance, and profitability across the portfolio. Strategic Planning & Business Growth Partner with the CEO and leadership team on long-term strategic planning and market positioning. Lead initiatives to expand service lines, geographic reach, and operational capacity. Help shape company culture and support the organization through change management. Leadership & Team Development Lead and mentor senior leaders in Finance, Operations, and HR. Build a high-performing, collaborative, and accountable organizational culture. Champion professional development, succession planning, and workforce optimization. Promote cross-department alignment and communication. --- Qualifications Bachelors degree in Accounting, Finance, Engineering, Business, or related field (MBA and/or CPA strongly preferred). 1015+ years of progressive financial and operational leadership experience, ideally in engineering, AEC, or project-based firms. Proven experience managing P&L, leading large teams, and driving company-wide operational excellence. Strong understanding of project accounting, WIP, cost control, labor utilization, and engineering project workflows. Experience with ERP systems such as Deltek Vision/Vantagepoint, Oracle, SAP, or similar. Exceptional analytical, communication, and executive leadership skills. Strong strategic thinking with the ability to execute operational plans effectively. --- Skills Executive leadership & decision-making Financial strategy & risk management Operational efficiency & process improvement Project-based financial management Cross-functional leadership Strategic planning & business growth Change management Strong communication and relationship-building